Posts by

Kelly Kizer Whitt

A first! 3 supermassive black holes discovered in 1 galaxy

For the first time, astronomers have discovered 3 supermassive black holes in a single galaxy in the early universe. Two of them are merging!

Kelly Kizer Whitt

August 21, 2026

Pyrocumulonimbus clouds are fire-generated thunderstorms

This summer, NASA has been studying pyrocumulonimbus clouds, or fire-driven thunderstorms. Researchers are flying planes right into the plumes for samples.

Kelly Kizer Whitt

August 20, 2026

Astronomers discover a black hole star, a new type of object

Astronomers believe the little red dots we see in the early universe are a newly discovered type of object called a black hole star.

Kelly Kizer Whitt

August 20, 2026

Sagitta the Arrow lies inside the Summer Triangle

Sagitta the Arrow is a dim constellation that lies inside the Summer Triangle. It contains one Messier object, a small globular cluster.

Kelly Kizer Whitt

August 20, 2026

Mission to save Swift spacecraft fails, will crash back to Earth

NASA said on August 19, 2026, the mission to save the Swift spacecraft will not work after attitude control issues. Swift will crash back to Earth this year.

Kelly Kizer Whitt

Eddie Irizarry

Deborah Byrd

August 19, 2026

See the August 12 solar eclipse from the moon’s perspective

Korean's lunar orbiter, Danuri, captured a view of the solar eclipse on August 12, 2026. This unique perspective includes the moon's limb in the foreground.

Kelly Kizer Whitt

August 19, 2026

1st ultra-faint Milky Way satellite galaxy found by Rubin

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has only just begun its survey, yet it has already discovered its first ultra-faint Milky Way satellite, Aquarius IV.

Kelly Kizer Whitt

August 18, 2026

Ancient Amazon civilization might have been home to millions

Laser surveys have revealed hundreds of earthworks in the Amazon. Researchers estimate the ancient Amazon civilization could have supported 3 million people.

Kelly Kizer Whitt

August 14, 2026

Aquila the Eagle soars along the Milky Way

Aquila the Eagle is home to the bright star Altair, which forms one corner in the Summer Triangle. Look for it in the evening sky from July to November.

Kelly Kizer Whitt

August 11, 2026

SpaceX rocket hit the moon: Before and after pics

A SpaceX rocket hit the moon on August 5. Here's what astronomers have observed so far from this historic lunar event, including before and after pics.

Kelly Kizer Whitt

Deborah Byrd

August 6, 2026

Kelly Kizer Whitt

Kelly Kizer Whitt writes and edits some of the most fascinating stories at EarthSky.org. She's been writing about science, with a focus on astronomy, for decades. She began her career at Astronomy Magazine and made regular contributions to other outlets, including AstronomyToday and the Sierra Club. She has nine published books, including a children's picture book, Solar System Forecast, and a young adult dystopian novel, A Different Sky.