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Editors of EarthSky

Record number of NASA astronaut applications

More than 18,300 people applied to join NASA’s 2017 astronaut class - almost three times the number received in 2012.

Asteroid Day 2016 will be June 30

The European Space Agency hosted a press conference about Asteroid Day, which was co-founded by astrophysicist and rock musician Brian May.

Using light to understand rogue waves

They're not tsunamis, but they can be dangerous to ships. They're gigantic ocean waves, seeming to appear out of nowhere. New research may help predict them.

Merging galaxies in Eridanus, via Hubble

Characterized as a peculiar galaxy, NGC 1487 is an elaborate cosmic whirl likely formed when several dwarf galaxies merged.

Is El Niño at its peak?

This year's El Niño has likely reached its peak, say scientists, but given that Earth is hotter than in 135 years, there are no guarantees.

View from space: Mississippi River flooding

Two satellite images show the contrast between the flooded Mississippi River this month and the same area last year. Check out the difference!

Newly discovered most luminous galaxy

Galaxy W2246-0526 shines with the intensity of more than 300 trillion suns. Its central black hole stirs up gas across the entire galaxy.

Why does the new year begin on January 1?

New Year's Day is a civil event. Its date isn't precisely fixed by any natural seasonal marker.

Ceres’ bright spots likely salt deposits

Mystery solved? Bright spots seen by Dawn spacecraft on dwarf planet Ceres are likely salt deposits, say researchers.

Satellite sensors for global fire coverage

A global fire alert from space, FireSat sensors would be able to detect a fire anywhere on Earth within 15 minutes of its start and notify area emergency responders.