See the Martian moon Phobos fly over a dust storm

See the Martian moon Phobos as it passes over iconic landscapes on the red planet, including a trio of volcanoes and the largest canyon in the solar system.

New Year’s Star Sirius, the moon and Jupiter ring in 2026

Entertain your friends on New Year's Eve by showing them the New Year's Star, the soon-to-be full supermoon and Jupiter. Sirius is highest at midnight.

Why does the New Year begin on January 1?

Why does the New Year begin on January 1? The tradition stems from the festival of Janus, the Roman god of past and future.

Superkilonova: Double explosion could be first ever seen

Astronomers have detected a strange double explosion of a star and hypothesize that it is a kilonova following a supernova: a superkilonova.

The Orion Nebula (M42) is a starry nursery

You can see the Orion Nebula as a fuzzy spot in the sky using just your eyes. It's really a vast cloud in space where new stars are forming. Learn more.

NASA’s SPHEREx observatory completes stunning 1st cosmic map

NASA's SPHEREx has produced its 1st cosmic map, revealing the entire sky in 102 colors. Take a look at this spectacular map.

Orion the Hunter, the most recognizable constellation

Orion the Hunter may be the most recognizable constellation, visible from both hemispheres. It's best in winter from the north and summer from the south.

Strange ‘spider’ on Europa hints at water lurking below

Researchers say that a huge 'spider' on Europa likely formed when a crater-creating impact caused briny water to spill out onto the surface.

Earth at perihelion – closest to sun – on January 3

Every year in early January, Earth reaches its closest point to the sun in an event called perihelion. In 2026, it's on January 3.

Fledgling seabirds in Hawaii are easy prey for tiger sharks

When seabirds fledge at an atoll in northwestern Hawaii, tiger sharks move in to prey on the fledgling seabirds, disrupting shark populations in the area.