Tonight
Moon near Venus, Mars, Castor, Pollux and Beehive May 22-24
Watch for the waxing crescent moon near Venus, Castor, Pollux, Mars, and the Beehive star cluster on the evenings of May 22, 23 and 24, 2023. Beautiful!
Earth
Canadian wildfires continue to rage with a smoky central US
Canadian wildfires continue to rage, with the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan producing smoke that is pouring into the U.S.
Astronomy Essentials

Visible planets and night sky for May 2023

May's visible planets: Brilliant Venus and Mars are in the western evening sky. Morning planets are Saturn, Jupiter and Mercury.
Space

Distant volcano-covered world is the size of Earth

Astronomers say they have discovered an Earth-sized exoplanet 90 light-years away that may be a volcano-covered world, possibly as active as Jupiter's moon Io.
Earth

Blood Falls in Antarctica, what makes them red?

A recent study on Antarctica’s Blood Falls reveals the origins of its unique, bright red discharge. This might help in the search for life in our solar system.
Astronomy Essentials

Sky measurements: Degrees, arcminutes and arcseconds

What are sky measurements - or distances - in the night sky? Here's what it means for objects to be several degrees (or arcminutes or arcseconds) apart.
Today's Image

New supernova! Closest in a decade

A new supernova in M101 (the Pinwheel Galaxy) - discovered on May 19, 2023 - will brighten for a more couple days and be visible to amateurs for a few months.
Space

Evidence for ancient river on Mars in new rover images

NASA's Perseverance rover has spotted new signs of an ancient river on Mars, deeper and faster than any seen before. Curving layers of rocks provide the clues.
Earth

Joro spiders are more afraid of you (if that’s possible)

The giant Joro spiders spreading up and down the East Coast are surprisingly shy, researchers found. Although venomous, the pose no threat to humans.
Human World
Space

Help spot asteroids! The Daily Minor Planet needs you

NASA's new project, the Daily Minor Planet, is asking for you to help spot asteroids. Find out how to help here and learn more about the project.