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Today in science: Galileo’s birthday

By Daniela Breitman in Human World | 14 hours ago

Happy 455th birthday to one of the first modern scientists, Galileo. With the aid of an early telescope, he helped remove Earth from the center of the universe.

Today in science: The Chelyabinsk meteor

By Deborah Byrd in Human World | Space | 15 hours ago

On February 15, 2013, a small incoming asteroid created a meteor – brighter than the sun – over Russia. It exploded in the air over the city of Chelyabinsk.

From Chelyabinsk to Cuba: The meteor connection

By EarthSky Voices in Earth | Space | 15 hours ago

The scientific team that used YouTube videos to determine the trajectory of the Chelyabinsk meteor used the same method to track the trajectory of the bright meteor that crossed the sky over Cuba on February 1.

5 things about radiation donuts, in 2 minutes

By Eleanor Imster in Earth | Space | 16 hours ago

Did you know that our planet has radiation donuts? These giant, donut-shaped clouds of radiation are called the Van Allen Belts.

Mars Opportunity rover ends its mission

By EarthSky in Space | 2 days ago

The Mars Opportunity rover, built to last 90 days, has ended its mission after 15 years on the red planet.

For you, Valentine: 10 reasons we fall in love

By Deborah Byrd in Human World | 2 days ago

On this Valentine’s Day 2019, what the world of science suggests about the mystery we call love.

Ancient spider fossils have reflective eyes

By Eleanor Imster in Earth | 2 days ago

A remarkable set of fossil spiders found in South Korea display reflective eyes.

How animals love

By Eleanor Imster in Earth | 2 days ago

“The animal world tells us again and again and again that love is really important.”

New Hubble images show storms on Uranus and Neptune

By Paul Scott Anderson in Space | 2 days ago

Uranus and Neptune – the ice giants of the solar system – are distant worlds last visited by the Voyager 2 spacecraft in the late 1980s. But the Hubble Space Telescope is still keeping an eye on them and their dynamic atmospheres.

Another huge impact crater under Greenland ice?

By Eleanor Imster in Earth | 3 days ago

A glaciologist has discovered a possible 2nd impact crater buried under more than a mile of ice in northwest Greenland.

Time to watch for spring fireballs

By Deborah Byrd in Astronomy Essentials | Space | 3 days ago

The rate of fireballs – or bright meteors – has been observed to go up in the Northern Hemisphere by as much as 30% from February through April. Will it this year?

See China’s Chang’e 4 on moon’s far side

By Paul Scott Anderson in Space | 3 days ago

China’s Chang’e 4 lander has produced fantastic, 1st-time surface views of the far side of the moon. Now a NASA orbiter has caught images of the landing site.

Flying squirrels go pink in ultraviolet

By Eleanor Imster in Earth | 4 days ago

A researcher using a UV flashlight to see whether some backyard frogs glow in the dark (they didn’t) happened to turn his light on a flying squirrel landing on a nearby bird feeder. He was met with a bright neon pink reflection.

Tonight

Today's Image

Tonight

Moon and Gemini February 15 and 16

Moon and Gemini February 15 and 16

Moon in Winter Circle February 14 and 15

Moon near star Aldebaran on February 13

First quarter moon on February 12

Space

Mars Opportunity rover ends its mission

Today in science: The Chelyabinsk meteor

From Chelyabinsk to Cuba: The meteor connection

5 things about radiation donuts, in 2 minutes

Mars Opportunity rover ends its mission

New Hubble images show storms on Uranus and Neptune

Time to watch for spring fireballs

See China's Chang'e 4 on moon's far side

ExoMars rover named for Rosalind Franklin

Astro Essentials

Mars and Uranus

Time to watch for spring fireballs

Fast comet closest to Earth this week

Stargazing destinations: Yellowknife

February guide to the bright planets

Earth

Ancient spider fossils have reflective eyes

From Chelyabinsk to Cuba: The meteor connection

5 things about radiation donuts, in 2 minutes

Ancient spider fossils have reflective eyes

How animals love

Another huge impact crater under Greenland ice?

Flying squirrels go pink in ultraviolet

Today in science: Spacecraft destroys sundog

Join the 2019 Great Backyard Bird Count

Human World

How animals love

Today in science: Galileo's birthday

Today in science: The Chelyabinsk meteor

For you, Valentine: 10 reasons we fall in love

Just for fun: Tour alien worlds

Videos

For you, Valentine: 10 reasons we fall in love

5 things about radiation donuts, in 2 minutes

Mars Opportunity rover ends its mission

How animals love

Another huge impact crater under Greenland ice?

Today in science: Spacecraft destroys sundog

Stargazing destinations: Yellowknife

Bubbles of brand new stars

Astronomers find a new, nearby galaxy