Astronomy

Latest about Astronomy

An artist's interpretation of a trans-Neptunian object.

New JWST observations of 'trans-Neptunian objects' could help reveal our solar system's past

By Stefanie Waldek published

The James Webb Space Telescope has observed surface ice methanol — a key building block for organic compounds necessary for life, including sugars — on trans-Neptunian objects.

James Webb Space Telescope
Composite image of the moon created using data gathered by the joint NASA-DoD Clementine mission in 1994

DARPA wants a spacecraft to search for water on the moon

By Julian Dossett published

DARPA (the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) is looking for a private company to build spacecraft to orbit the moon and search for water.

The moon
graphic illustration of the solar system shows the sun in the center and a number of planets orbiting around it.

Solar system guide: Discover the order of planets and other amazing facts

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference Explore the eight (or nine) planets of the solar system in order from nearest to the sun and discover the many wonders of our solar system along the way.

Reference
depictions of people raising their hands towards the sky underneath a stretched-out depiction of a goddess forming an arcing sky above them, with stars covering her body

These 5000-year-old Egyptian coffins depict the Milky Way galaxy, astrophysicist says

By Samantha Mathewson published

A recent study on ancient Egyptian imagery suggests rare drawings of the sky goddess Nut represent the earliest visualization of the Milky Way galaxy's Great Rift.

Astronomy
three grey moons orbit a planet lined with rings of clouds

Evidence of controversial Planet 9 uncovered in sky surveys taken 23 years apart

By Keith Cooper published

An object seen to have moved in the time between when it was imaged by the IRAS and AKARI surveys in 1983 and 2006 respectively could be Planet Nine.

Solar System
Thousands of galaxies in various shapes and sizes are captured in this new image from the James Webb Space Telescope. More distant galaxies appear redder and smaller, compared to galaxies that are closer and appear larger and white or blueish.

James Webb Space Telescope captures thousands of galaxies in a cosmic 'feast' (image)

By Samantha Mathewson published

A stunning new image from the James Webb Space Telescope offers a "visual feast of galaxies," including objects billions of light years away and the most massive known galactic group.

James Webb Space Telescope
a bright white full moon rises above the ruins of an ancient building

May full moon 2025: The Flower Moon hides the red star Antares

By Jesse Emspak last updated

Reference The Full Flower Moon of 2025 will occur in the eastern U.S. during the evening hours of May 12. Two days later, the just-past-full moon will occult the star Antares.

Reference
An image of Jupiter.

Cyclones on Jupiter and a moon with flowing magma: NASA Juno probe's latest discoveries are awesome

By Keith Cooper published

NASA's mission to Jupiter has revealed new findings about the giant planet and its volcanic moon.

Jupiter
The location of the stars of Ophion (the yellow dots) as seen in the sky. Ophion appears to cover a wide area of sky because it is relatively close to us.

A thousand stars are fleeing home in a hurry, and scientists don't know why

By Keith Cooper published

Data from Europe's Gaia spacecraft have revealed that a cluster of 1,000 stars is breaking up much faster than is normal, stumping astronomers.

Stars

These are the sharpest images yet of planets being born around distant stars

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Astronomers have captured the sharpest, most detailed images yet of young solar systems where planets are just beginning to take shape.

Exoplanets
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