EarthSky - Earth, Space, Human World, Tonight

Tiny droplets of early universe matter created

By EarthSky in Space | 2 hours ago

Researchers have created tiny droplets of the ultra-hot matter that once filled the early universe, forming 3 distinct shapes and sizes: circles, ellipses and triangles

Huge previously-undetected coral reef off US East Coast

By EarthSky Voices in Earth | 2 hours ago

Earlier this year, scientists were surprised to discover a huge forest of coldwater corals off the coast of South Carolina. A scientist aboard the expedition discusses the find.

1st quarter moon is December 15

By Deborah Byrd in Moon Phases | 5 hours ago

The 1st quarter moon comes on December 15 at 11:49 UTC. A 1st quarter moon is high up at sunset. It appears half-illuminated, like half a pie. Really, you’re seeing half the moon’s day side.

Ancient water found on asteroid Bennu

By Paul Scott Anderson in Space | 1 day ago

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission arrived at asteroid Bennu on December 3 and has already made a significant discovery about this small world.

How to see 2018’s brightest comet

By Deborah Byrd and Eddie Irizarry in Astronomy Essentials | Space | 2 days ago

Comet 46P/Wirtanen is closest to the sun today. It’ll be closest to Earth next week. With the moon waxing and casting more light in the sky, the time to see the comet is now. Charts, tips and other info here.

Scientists describe 229 new species in 2018

By Eleanor Imster in Earth | 2 days ago

The list includes neon fish, a fast-spinning spider, moray eels, venomous snakes, and more!

What would a warmer world look like?

By EarthSky Voices in Earth | Human World | 2 days ago

According to the recent IPCC Special Report, warming of 1.5°C (2.7°F) is an important threshold for many climate impacts. What might our planet look like with 1.5°C of warming?

Christmas Bird Count starts December 14

By Deanna Conners in Earth | Human World | 3 days ago

Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count is one of the longest-running citizen science projects in existence. How to participate.

10 tips for watching the Geminids

By Deborah Byrd in Astronomy Essentials | 3 days ago

#1. Geminid meteor numbers tend to intensify as evening deepens into late night, with the greatest number of meteors likely falling an hour or 2 after midnight. That’s true no matter where you are on the globe.

Voyager 2 enters interstellar space

By Eleanor Imster in Space | 4 days ago

NASA announced Dec. 10 that for the 2nd time in history, a human-made object has reached the space between the stars.

What will the sun do next?

By Deborah Byrd in Space | 4 days ago

Many have predicted a weak sunspot cycle in the years ahead, but new work from India suggests otherwise. The work dashes speculations of a sun-induced global cooling of Earth’s climate in the coming decade.

Find the Geminids’ radiant point

By Larry Sessions and Bruce McClure in Astronomy Essentials | Space | 4 days ago

Why is the Geminid meteor shower best around 2 a.m.? It’s because that’s when the shower’s radiant point – near the bright star Castor in the constellation Gemini – is highest in the sky.

All you need to know: Geminid meteor shower in 2018

By Bruce McClure and Deborah Byrd in Astronomy Essentials | Space | 5 days ago

The peak of the Geminid meteor shower is coming up on the mornings of December 13 and 14.

Tonight

Today's Image

Tonight

Time to look for Mercury and Jupiter below Venus

Time to look for Mercury and Jupiter below Venus

1st quarter moon is December 15

Geminid meteors peak this week

See a celestial Chariot in December

Space

How to see 2018's brightest comet

Tiny droplets of early universe matter created

Ancient water found on asteroid Bennu

How to see 2018's brightest comet

Voyager 2 enters interstellar space

What will the sun do next?

Find the Geminids' radiant point

All you need to know: Geminid meteor shower in 2018

Listen to the Martian wind

Astro Essentials

10 tips for watching the Geminids

How to see 2018's brightest comet

10 tips for watching the Geminids

Find the Geminids' radiant point

All you need to know: Geminid meteor shower in 2018

Earth

Scientists describe 229 new species in 2018

Huge previously-undetected coral reef off US East Coast

Scientists describe 229 new species in 2018

What would a warmer world look like?

Christmas Bird Count starts December 14

Another El Niño on the horizon?

Watch geckos race on water!

What is a sun pillar, or light pillar?

Supervolcano eruption 20,000 years ahead?

Human World

What would a warmer world look like?

What would a warmer world look like?

Christmas Bird Count starts December 14

Prehistoric cave art suggests ancient use of complex astronomy

Listening to the patterns of the universe

Videos

Voyager 2 enters interstellar space

Huge previously-undetected coral reef off US East Coast

Voyager 2 enters interstellar space

Another El Niño on the horizon?

Listen to the Martian wind

Watch geckos race on water!

Over 100 new exoplanets from Kepler and Gaia

A measurement of all the starlight ever produced

Astronomers' 1st close-up look near a supermassive black hole