Synchronous fireflies light up these national parks

The synchronous fireflies are back! These lightning bugs flash in harmony in the Great Smoky Mountains and other nearby parks from mid-May to mid-June.

The Lyrid meteor shower in 2027 peaks April 22

The best time to watch the Lyrid meteor shower is before dawn on the mornings of April 22 and 23. You'll have a bright waning gibbous moon in the sky.

Constellations and signs: What’s the difference?

What is the difference between the signs of the zodiac and the constellations of the zodiac? Astronomer Guy Ottewell illustrates and discusses this difference.

Interstellar turbulence in the Milky Way distorts light

For the 1st time, astronomers have directly detected how interstellar turbulence distorts the light from distant objects in our galaxy.

Find the Keystone in Hercules, and the Hercules Cluster M13

Let the bright star Vega guide you to a famous star pattern in Hercules - called the Keystone - and then to the Hercules Cluster, aka M13.

The binturong is a strange mammal that smells like popcorn

The binturong is a strange mammal that smells like popcorn, lives high in the trees and quietly helps tropical forests grow.

Severe weather, tornadoes possible Sunday and Monday

Severe weather, tornadoes are possible across parts of the U.S. Sunday and Monday, May 17 and 18, 2026. Plus large hail, damaging wind gusts.

Which moon phase is best for stargazing? That depends.

Which moon phase is best for stargazing? Most astronomers would tell you that the best moon is no moon. But it depends on what you want to see.

Stardust in Antarctica shows Earth crossed a supernova cloud

Stardust in Antarctica reveals the presence of an element that is not naturally made on Earth. But it is created in supernovas. Read more about the evidence.

Apex of the sun: Look to Vega in May

Apex of the sun shows the direction our solar system moves through space, toward the bright star Vega in the May night sky.