Sign Up for Our Amazing Newsletter!
A daily update by email. Science news, great photos, sky alerts.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Posts by
Editors of EarthSky
August birthstone: Peridot, spinel, or sardonyx
The August birthstone can be crystalline green peridot, colorful spinel, or banded sardonyx. Take your pick of these colorful gemstones, August babies!
August 1, 2025
Can sharks smile? It’s Shark Week! Enjoy these shark videos
Can sharks smile? Not likely. But dogs, monkeys and dolphins all show expressions akin to human smiles. Learn more about sharks during Shark Week.
July 23, 2025
What are hole-punch clouds, aka fallstreak holes?
Have you ever seen a fallstreak hole or hole-punch clouds? They're a type of cloud with a flat layer interrupted by a big hole, often with wisps at the center.
July 10, 2025
Meet Shaula and Lesath, Scorpion’s Stinger stars
Shaula and Lesath, known as the Stinger of the Scorpion, are easy to see at the end of the Tail of the constellation Scorpius.
July 6, 2025
July birthstone: The rare and precious ruby
The July birthstone, the ruby, is among the most prized of the precious stones. It is one of the hardest gemstones, chemically related to the sapphire.
July 1, 2025
Scorpius the Scorpion and its legendary stinger
The southernmost constellation of the zodiac is Scorpius the Scorpion. It's easy to spot on July evenings from most of the globe. It has a distinctive J shape.
June 27, 2025
Mega comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein heading sunward, now belching jets
Astronomers have made new observations of mega comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein. They've found the comet is erupting with jets as it barrels toward the sun.
June 26, 2025
Asteroid Day to be observed worldwide on June 30
Asteroid Day is celebrated each year on June 30. Events are celebrated in Luxembourg (June 28 to 29) and around the world. Find more info here.
June 26, 2025
Draco the Dragon and Thuban, a former pole star
Let your eyes and imagination drift to see the winding shape of Draco the Dragon. And meet Thuban, a former pole star, between the Big and Little Dippers.
June 26, 2025
Does the North Star ever move in the sky?
The North Star is a symbol for constancy. But a video taken of it overnight reveals that it makes its own little circle around the sky's north pole every day.
June 17, 2025
