ASTRONOMY

Did the Northern Lights Play a Role in the Sinking of the Titanic? A New Paper Says It’s Possible

The northern lights were spotted the night the 'Titanic' sank, and the solar storm that caused them may have contributed to the ship's demise.

Earth Is Set to Get a New Mini-Moon Next Month

Astronomers are still unsure whether the object headed toward Earth is an asteroid or a piece of debris left over from a 50-year-old rocket launch.

Space Hero, a New Reality Show, Wants to Send You to the International Space Station

Contestants will learn how to become astronauts—and compete for a 10-day trip to the ISS while doing it.

Halloween will be even spookier this year.

A Rare Blue Moon Will Light Up the Night Sky This Halloween

A blue moon on Halloween only happens once in a blue moon (once every 19 years or so, in this case.)

The Draconid, Taurid, and Orionid Meteor Showers Are Coming This Fall

In October and early November, the Draconid, Taurid, and Orionid meteor showers will light up the night skies.

Dr. Jeanette Epps to Become the First Black Woman to Live Aboard the International Space Station

Jeanette Epps has dreamed of being a NASA astronaut since age 9, and her first-ever spaceflight will make history.

Two asteroids are expected to come close to Earth soon, but there's no cause for alarm.

Worried About Asteroids Hitting Us in 2020? Don't Be

Two asteroids are projected to swing by Earth in the coming months, but the odds of them causing a problem are very low.

NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Naval Research Lab/Parker Solar Probe/Brendan Gallagher

The NEOWISE Comet Is Visible This Month—But Won't Be Again for 6000 Years

Just a few months after its discovery, the C/2020 F3 NEOWISE comet will disappear until the year 8736.

The 2020 Perseid Meteor Shower Is Coming

The Perseids are considered the best and most reliable meteor shower of the year. Here's what to expect in 2020.

When the Moon hits your eye like half a pizza pie, that's a quarter moon.

July's Last Quarter Moon Is Coming This Weekend

The last (or third) quarter moon is named for the moon phase it’s in—not how much of the moon is visible.

NASA's Curiosity rover captured this sunset at Mars' Gale crater in 2015.

NASA Scientist Simulates What Sunsets Would Look Like on Venus, Mars, and Beyond

NASA scientist Geronimo Villanueva built a tool that models the colorful, alien sunsets of planets like Mars, Uranus, and Venus.

Eau de Space: Former NASA Scientist’s New Perfume Smells Out of This World

It’s not Chanel No. 5, but it is the closest you can get to finding out what space smells like without going there.

An Annular Solar Eclipse Will Be Visible in Some Parts of the World on Summer Solstice Weekend

On June 21, 2020, an annular eclipse or "ring of fire" will appear over parts of India, Africa, and Europe.

NASA's Juno Probe Captures Stunning New Look at Jupiter's Swirling Atmosphere

NASA's Juno spacecraft got a close look at the mesmerizing clouds above Jupiter on two recent fly-bys.

For the First Time Ever, You Can Watch the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge via Livestream

After telling tourists to stay away from Stonehenge on the summer solstice, English Heritage has announced it will be livestreaming the event for the first time in the landmark's history.

Explore Mars from the comfort of your couch.

The American Museum of Natural History Is Hosting a Virtual Field Trip to Mars

If you're looking for a change of scenery, join the American Museum of Natural History on May 8 to explore the surface of Mars without leaving home.

Venus Reaches Peak Brightness in Late April—Here's How to Spot the Evening Star

In late April, Venus is 20 times brighter than the brightest star in the night sky. Here's what you need to know about the phenomenon.

A 2010 Hubble-captured image of a pillar of gas and dust in a stellar nursery called Carina Nebula.

What Did the Hubble Telescope See on Your Birthday? This NASA Website Will Show You

While your parents were snapping a photo of you covered in birthday cake, the Hubble was snapping one of a dust storm on Mars.

Mark Your Calendars: The Lyrid Meteor Shower Is Coming

Lower light and air pollution from recent lockdown orders means April 2020's Lyrid meteor shower could be the most visible in years.

The Smithsonian Needs Your Help Transcribing Sally Ride’s Notebooks

There are nearly 40,000 documents from Sally Ride’s career in the Smithsonian’s archives, and you can help make them more accessible.

How to Livestream Tonight’s Super Pink Moon

The pink moon on April 7 will be the biggest and brightest supermoon of 2020. Here's how to watch the event without leaving your home.

April's super pink moon will be extra big and bright (but still white).

A Super Pink Moon—the Biggest Supermoon of 2020—Is Coming In April

The next full moon is 2020’s biggest and brightest supermoon (though, despite its name, it won’t be pink).

Unique Teardrop Star Discovered by NASA Satellite

The star recently spotted 1500 light-years from Earth is shaped like a teardrop and pulsates on one side, making it a celestial anamoly.

There's a Second Moon—a Mini-Moon—in Earth's Orbit

Earth's second moon, a "mini-moon" dubbed 2020 CD3, is about the size of a small car and may have been trapped in our planet's orbit for years.

PREV NEXT