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
First animal was likely sea sponge
A new genetic analysis suggests that the first animal to appear on Earth was very likely the simple sea sponge.
February 25, 2016
Multiple cosmic impacts 790,000 years ago
Geoscientists reached this conclusion after dating glassy stones called tektites from various parts of the world.
February 25, 2016
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.
February 19, 2016
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.
February 15, 2016
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.
February 15, 2016
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.
February 13, 2016
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.
January 27, 2016
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!
January 20, 2016
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.
January 18, 2016
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.
January 1, 2016
