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Neutron-star mountains are tiny (but you can’t climb ’em)
Researchers in the UK have found that neutron-star mountains are less than a millimeter tall. These dense, dead stars are nearly perfectly smooth spheres.
July 31, 2021
2021 moon phases, with distances from Earth
2021 moon phases in a chart format. Dates closest to new moon provide the darkest skies and the best opportunities for stargazing and meteor-watching.
July 30, 2021
Jupiter X-ray aurora mystery solved, after 40 years
A Jupiter X-ray aurora mystery has perplexed astronomers for decades. Now they think ions responsible for the X-rays "surf" electromagnetic waves into Jupiter's atmosphere.
July 30, 2021
Transits of Jupiter’s moons ahead: A triple!
Observers using a good pair of binoculars or a small telescope can see events called transits on Jupiter, when a moon or its shadow passes in front of the giant planet.
July 30, 2021
Caroline Herschel Medal to honor women astronomers
Learn about the Caroline Herschel Medal, meant to honor the contributions of women astronomers. And meet the women who helped shape astronomy.
July 29, 2021
Major 8.2-magnitude earthquake rocks Alaska
Sirens sounded across Alaska's Kodiak island last night, after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake prompted tsunami warmings.
July 29, 2021
Boeing Starliner OFT-2 mission scrubbed indefinitely
Boeing's Starliner launch to the International Space Station on August 3, 2021 has been canceled and scrubbed indefinitely. Updates to come.
July 28, 2021
Russia’s Nauka module en route to ISS
Russia's Nauka module reportedly had some issues after reaching orbiting. It's due to dock with the International Space Station on July 29.
July 28, 2021
Mars and Regulus in conjunction July 29
The Mars-Regulus conjunction happens on July 29, 2021. Mars will be 0.7 degrees N. of Regulus. Watch on July 28, too, and look low in the western twilight.
July 28, 2021
Future sea level rise: When, where, how much?
Scientists have grown more confident about sea level rise projections for the next few decades, but competing factors make it hard to see far into the future.
July 28, 2021
