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Editors of EarthSky

Is there a pulsar at the center of our galaxy?

There appears to be a pulsar - a rapidly spinning dead star - located about a light-year from the black-hole center of our galaxy.

GD 50, a runaway star, maybe from Pleiades

GD 50 was born in the Pleiades star cluster, then was flung out, possibly after passing too close to another star.

Do plants grow as well under artificial light?

There are some differences between sunlight and artificial light - most artificial light doesn't emit as much energy in the red and blue region of the light spectrum as sunlight does.

What are the birthstones for each month?

Birthstones are special stones associated with each month of the year. They have a place in history, mythology and science. Check out the special story of your birthstone.

Copper, where does it come from?

Astronomers use computers to study stars in the Milky Way and in a star cluster called Omega Centauri to learn more about the origin of copper.

Did small galaxies come together to make big galaxies?

Astronomers believe that it's from humble "building blocks" that mighty galaxies like our own Milky Way grew into giants.

Black hole, compact, dense, how do they form?

Cygnus X-1, an x-ray source, was one of the first black hole candidates to be discovered. It is thought to contain a black hole orbited by a bright, young star.

Can I see our galaxy from Earth?

On a very dark clear night - and if you look in the right direction - you can see a bright region of our own Milky Way galaxy.

How can some fish change from female to male?

Parrotfish an anemonefish can live for a while as male fish or female - but different hormones kick in and cause it to change.

Is red Antares bigger than our sun?

The ancients saw red Antares as the ruby Heart of the Scorpion in the constellation Scorpius. This star has since ballooned in size.