Catch Comet Encke this evening!

The comet's orbital period is short - only 3.3 years - and the orbit is relatively close to Earth. Encke's Comet is now on its 63rd known visit to our part of space.

What is the crater-dome illusion?

When you see spacecraft images of craters on other worlds, do you sometimes think they look like domes? Here's how to change your perception.

This date in science: Supernova 1987A

Supernova 1987A first appeared in earthly skies 30 years ago today. It was the closest observed supernova since 1604.

Wow! Nearby TRAPPIST-1 has 7 planets

Big discovery! NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has revealed 7 Earth-sized planets orbiting a tiny star only 40 light-years away. Three of them are firmly in the habitable zone.

What would life be like near TRAPPIST-1?

The newly discovered exoplanets orbiting this nearby star are likely to be bathed in high-energy ultraviolet radiation. What would life be like there? An expert explains.

Brightest, farthest pulsar found!

In one second, this distant pulsar – the spinning remains of a once-massive star – emits the same amount of energy as that released by our sun in 3.5 years.

Help astronomers look for Planet 9

There might be an unknown 9th planet that orbits far from Earth, on the outer fringes of our solar system. You can help astronomers find it, if it exists!

Watch SpaceX Dragon launch February 18

SpaceX is scheduled to launch its Dragon spacecraft resupply mission to the International Space Station no earlier than 10:01 a.m. EST (1501 UTC) on Saturday, February 18. How to watch.

Slooh astronomers catch comet breakup

Will comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann survive its March 16 sweep near the sun, or disintegrate into a trail of cosmic dust?

Round object crosses the moon

During Friday's penumbral eclipse of the moon, an observer in Puerto Rico captured images of a black disk moving across the moon's face.

Matching Donation Campaign

Exciting news! EarthSky received a $50,000 gift, with a request that it be used to collect matching funds. Please help us meet this match by donating to EarthSky today!

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