Top conservation issues to look out for in 2013

A team of researchers has identified 15 issues that could affect the diversity of life on Earth in 2013.

Did our solar system cross the galactic plane on December 21, 2012?

Did our solar system cross the plane of our Milky Way galaxy in 2012? Nah. That event is another 30 million years away.

Will the solar system planets align on December 21, 2012?

The image in this post shows the planets in our solar system on December 21, 2012. Do they look aligned to you?

This date in science: Apollo 17 returns with orange soil

On December 19, 1972, the Apollo 17 crew returned to Earth, completing the final manned moon mission. Their cargo included orange soil they unexpectedly found on the moon.

Welcome to norovirus season

Norovirus causes over half of food-borne and gastrointestinal illness in the U.S., and in winter even. The nerve!

Ian Duncan on environmental impact of fracking

A geologist's perspective on the environmental impact of fracking. Does it affect water quality? Does it cause earthquakes?

Kathryn Reese-Taylor on the Mayan calendar and 2012 doomsday prophesies

EarthSky spoke with a professor of Mayan archaeology about the supposed connection between an ancient Mayan calendar and 2012 doomsday prophecies.

National Hurricane Center redefines the term hurricane warning

Does the new definition of "hurricane warning" come in response to the fact that hurricane warnings were not issued for Sandy?

Photos from friends: An early season aurora in Lapland

It's only when when autumn comes, and the nights begin to lengthen, that aurora season begins in earnest at northerly latitudes.

Photos from friends: December 3, 2012 line-up of three planets

No one has sent us a photo of planets above pyramids yet, but we hope someone will! Meanwhile, enjoy our friends' photos of the December 3 planets, which were seen from around the world.

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