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Editors of EarthSky

A tipping point for the spread of ideas?

Researchers say the tipping point where a minority belief becomes the majority opinion is at 10 percent. Read more about this tipping point.

New nebula discovered by amateur

An amateur astronomer from Austria helping with the Kepler search for planets like Earth finds a beautiful nebula -- Kronberger 61.

Largest, oldest mass of water in universe around a black hole

The cloud of water vapor - 140 trillion times more water than in Earth's oceans - is 12 billion light-years away and surrounds the black hole of quasar.

Carbon sequestration a surprise benefit of forest plan

When the U.S. Northwest Forest Plan stopped most tree cutting on public lands, the area became a carbon sink. Read more on carbon sequestration.

Does optimism help prevent stroke?

On a 16-point scale, each point increase in optimism correlated with a 9 percent reduction in stroke risk, according to a study by the University of Michigan.

Exoplanet aurora is out of this world

An exoplanet like a hot Jupiter, orbiting close to its sun, would likely have an aurora up to 1,000 times brighter than one on Earth. Read more on exoplanet aurora.

Got greenhouse gases? At Idaho dairy farm, answer is yes

Scientists monitored greenhouse gases emitted from a dairy farm in Idaho, with 10,000 milk cows. The farm generated 37,000 pounds of emissions daily.

Southern lights seen from space

Pictures taken from the International Space Station and from Antarctica show a stunning green aurora in July 2011. Read more about southern lights.

A cosmic superbubble

Nebula LHA 120–N 44 surrounds star cluster NGC 1929, appearing as a cosmic superbubble within the Large Magellanic Cloud. Read more and see the image.

Solar panels help shade and insulate buildings, study shows

Researchers at UC San Diego show how solar panels act like giant roof shades and insulators, keeping out sun in the summer and holding in heat in the winter.