Astronomy
The New Story of the Milky Way’s Surprisingly Turbulent Past
The latest star maps are rewriting the story of our Milky Way, revealing a much more tumultuous history than astronomers suspected
Astronomy233 articles archived since 1845
Astronomy
Information Theory Can Help Us Search for Life on Alien Worlds
Information theory can help us decode signs of biological activity hiding in the atmospheres of distant exoplanets
Astronomy
Earth’s Wobble Wreaks Havoc on Astronomers—And Astrologers, Too
Our planet’s precession is scarcely noticeable during anyone’s lifetime, but across history, it has had enormous effects
Astronomy
Without the Moon, Human Society Might Not Exist
The moon helps us keep time, inspires religions and shapes science, yet it still keeps secrets from us.
Astronomy
Sky Spectacles to Watch in 2024
Here’s a calendar of cosmic events to keep your eyes on in the coming year
Astronomy
The Science of 2024’s Epic Solar Eclipse, the Last for a Generation
Unique studies of gravity waves, atmospheric holes and dazzling coronal displays will accompany April’s total solar eclipse across the U.S., Mexico and Canada
Astronomy
Behold—the Best Space Images of 2023
This year’s most interesting space images include infrared views of galactic “bones,” an asteroid’s double moon, Jupiter’s giant polar vortex, and more
Astronomy
The Winter Solstice Has a Surprising Secret
How can the December solstice have the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere but neither the earliest sunset nor the latest sunrise? Earth’s orbital quirks offer answers
Planetary Science
The Rings of Uranus Glow in Epic JWST Photo
The James Webb Space Telescope caught its second glimpse of the year of Uranus and its bright-shining rings
Astronomy
Sun Unleashes Most Powerful Solar Flare Since 2017
The flare may have been accompanied by a plasma eruption now headed toward Earth
Astronomy
How to See Halos, Sun Dogs and Other Delights of the Daytime Sky
Ice crystals suspended in the air put on a gorgeous show if you know when and where to look
Astronomy
Astronomers Spy First Star-Forming Disk beyond the Milky Way
No one has ever seen a newborn star feeding on its natal disk anywhere outside our galaxy—that is, until now
Astronomy
In the Search for Life beyond Earth, NASA Dreams Big for a Future Space Telescope
Astronomers are moving ahead in planning NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory, a telescope designed to answer the ultimate question: Are we alone in the universe?
Astronomy
How to Find the Darkest Night Sky for Stargazing
Where can you find the best sites for stargazing—and why is a dark sky important?
Astronomy
‘Cannibal’ Solar Eruption Headed to Earth May Trigger Auroras
A strong geomagnetic storm is expected to hit Earth after several outbursts from the sun merged into one large blob of plasma
Astronomy
Sun Unleashes ‘Canyon of Fire’ Filament of Plasma
A solar outburst shoots charged particles into space—and toward Earth
Astronomy
How to Buy Your First Telescope
This beginner’s guide to telescope basics will help make holiday shopping a little more heavenly
Astronomy
Astronomy Is Facing an End of the Era of Monster Telescopes
Money, engineering and sheer geometry may mark an end of the line for building ever larger astronomical telescopes
Astronomy
China Delays Launch of Its Xuntian Space Telescope
The Xuntian Space Telescope is China’s entry in a global race to unlock the secrets of dark energy, and it will now lift off no earlier than mid-2025
Astronomy
Leonid and Geminid Meteor Showers Bring Bonanza before Year’s End
Two unusual annual meteor showers come at the end of the year, and each can spark astonishing celestial fireworks
