Study of dwarf galaxies deepens mystery of dark matter

Researchers look at two dwarf galaxies and find no dark matter clumped at the centers, contrary to what a standard model predicts.

Andrea Milani calculates odds of killer asteroids

Will a killer asteroid strike the Earth in the foreseeable future? Andrea Milani calculates the odds. Read more about the results here.

Near-Earth asteroid spotted by amateurs

In this post, learn about the first near-Earth asteroid by amateur astronomers. The amateurs spotted the asteroid - named 2011 SF108 - in September 2011

Hubble Space Telescope takes a census of dark matter

A Hubble survey of galaxy clusters shows MACS 1206, whose dark matter warps distant light rays.

James Webb Space Telescope model in Baltimore

A 12,000-pound James Webb Space Telescope model visits the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Read more about it here.

Moon map reveals titanium treasure troves

Color variations on the moon reveal the presence of titanium and suggest how the lunar surface weathered. Learn more about the moon map here.

Uranus knocked sideways by series of small bumps?

Conventional wisdom said a single blow caused Uranus to lie sideways in the plane of the solar system. But maybe the cause was several small bumps instead.

Exoplanets found in old Hubble data

Using data from 1998, astronomers have found two previously unknown planets orbiting distant suns. How many more exoplanets lie hidden in old data?

October 2011 Draconid meteor shower a winner!

Despite a bright moon, many people saw a good display of meteors in the Draconid meteor shower. Good job Canadian astronomer, Paul Wiegert!

Dramatic Draconid meteor shower for October 8, 2011?

The prediction for October 8 Draconid meteor storm favors all of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. A bright moon will interfere.