LATEST NEWS
The Case of the Disappearing Quasar
When black hole-fueled beacons go dark, astronomers want to find out why.
Hunting for Planets Around Proxima Centauri
The Pale Red Dot Initiative has begun its search for exoplanets orbiting the nearest star to Earth besides the Sun.
OBSERVING HIGHLIGHTS
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, January 29 – February 6
As soon as it’s fully dark, spot the equilateral Winter Triangle in the southeast. Sirius is its brightest and lowest star. Betelgeuse stands above Sirius by about two fists at arm’s length. To the left of their midpoint shines Procyon.
With Mercury’s Arrival, Five Planets in View
Early risers have been patiently waiting for the innermost planet to join four others — and the Moon — in the predawn sky. Now they’re all in view.
With Mercury’s Arrival, Five Planets in View
Early risers have been patiently waiting for the innermost planet to join four others — and the Moon — in the predawn sky. Now they’re all in view.
Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2016
This year there’s a total solar eclipse on March 9th (visible from Indonesia) and an annular on September 1st (central Africa). But the terrific “tetrad” of total lunar eclipses is over.
How to Stay Warm Observing in Winter
Does the cold make you think twice about winter observing? Here are a few tips on how to do it in comfort.
S&T‘s Astronomy Podcast for February 2016
This month’s audio sky tour starts before dawn, when you can spot all five bright planets by eye, and moves to the sparkling stars seen on winter evenings.
BEAUTIFUL, ALSO, ARE THE SOULS OF MY BLACK SISTERS 