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Sky-wide rays
Familiar crepuscular rays and less well known anticrepuscular rays are really one and the same.
August 9, 2018
Prehistoric mass graves linked to tsunamis
“We were able to make a strong case for many of these sites being related to major tsunamis, as opposed to more standard explanations like warfare or an epidemic."
August 8, 2018
Plate tectonics not necessary for alien life?
New research indicates that plate tectonics may not be necessary for life to evolve after all, increasing the chances that more exoplanets could support life of some kind.
August 8, 2018
Moonless nights ahead for the Perseids
It'll be a great year for the annual Perseid meteor shower. Don't miss this preview by Guy Ottewell, which has the best charts you'll find anywhere online.
August 8, 2018
Evening’s 2 arcs
Draw a line between the 4 bright planets up after sunset now, and you'll see they make an arc across the sky. In this photo, Michael Seeley in Florida contrasted the arc of planets with that of the Milky Way.
August 8, 2018
2017 was 3rd warmest year on record, says international report
According to the annual State of the Climate report, 2017 was the globe's 3rd-warmest year on record, behind 2016 (1st) and 2015. Earth also experienced record-high greenhouse gas concentrations and rises in sea level.
August 7, 2018
Speck from an asteroid
Viewed under a microscope, it resembles a human hair. But this is actually an extremely precious speck of dust – a tiny sample from the Itokawa asteroid, brought back to Earth by Japan’s Hayabusa mission.
August 7, 2018
August 8 and 9 before sunup: Moon in Gemini
The moon has now waned to a slim crescent phase. It's near the stars Castor and Pollux - the legendary Gemini "twins" - on August 8 and 9, 2018.
August 7, 2018
Look toward our galaxy’s center
On the night of August 26, a waxing crescent moon will set in early evening. So you'll have dark time to find the Teapot asterism and let it guide you to our Milky Way's center.
August 7, 2018
Think sharks are coolest ocean predators? Consider mantis shrimps
Do sharks have bullet-like strikes? Do they have super-vision? Can they take down prey in milliseconds? Mantis shrimps have these abilities - and more - to make them among the world’s most impressive predators.
August 6, 2018
