Meet the Pi planet. It orbits its star every 3.14 days

In a fun cosmic coincidence, researchers used old Kepler spacecraft data to discover an Earth-sized exoplanet with an orbital period of 3.14 days, a number that matches the mathematical constant pi.

Top 4 most promising worlds for alien life in the solar system

Where are the other most promising locations for extraterrestrial life in our solar system?

Orange Arcturus sparkles after sunset

On October evenings, look for brilliant Arcturus in the west, flashing in colors. Follow the curve in the Big Dipper’s handle to this yellow-orange star.

Photos of the beautiful Venus-Regulus conjunction

The brightest planet Venus has been blazing in the east before sunrise for some months. In late September and early October, the bright star Regulus - Heart of the Lion in Leo - swept past it.

Moon and Mars rendezvous in early October

The moon and Mars are near each other on the sky's dome on the night of October 2, 2020. From South America, the moon will appear to occult (cover over) Mars.

A new method for predicting large solar flares

Solar storms pose risks for society, but more accurate space weather forecasts appear to be coming soon. A team of researchers in Japan has developed a physics-based method for predicting large solar flares, including powerful and potentially dangerous X-flares.

Favorite photos of 2020’s Harvest Moon

Every year at this time, people in the Northern Hemisphere witness the legendary Harvest Moon. This year, the Harvest Moon was near fiery Mars! Photos here from the EarthSky Community.

Did this mass extinction event trigger dawn of the dinosaurs?

New research suggests that a series of huge volcanic eruptions, 233 million years ago, led to a mass extinction event that heralded the dawn of the dinosaurs.

Searching for habitable exoplanets? Look for phosphorus

Scientists develop a new way to search for potentially habitable exoplanets by measuring the amount of phosphorus in their stars. Such planets should also have abundant phosphorus - necessary for life on Earth - increasing the chances for life.

Watch for Mars and the full Harvest Moon

The Northern Hemisphere's Harvest Moon is always the full moon falling the closest to the autumnal equinox. It's coming up in 2020 on October 1 or 2. What's more, this Harvest Moon will be near Mars!