Last meteor shower of the year peaks a few days before Christmas
The last meteor shower of the year — the Ursids — peaks Sunday, a few days before Christmas. While usually not as bright as the Geminids, the Ursid meteor shower…
Read more
Two stars may be orbiting each other near a supermassive black hole in our galaxy
NEW YORK — Scientists have spotted what appear to be two stars whipping around each other near the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Nearly…
Read more
The winter solstice is almost here, the Northern Hemisphere’s darkest day
The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere — ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets. For those…
Read more
Earth bids farewell to temporary ‘mini moon’ that’s possibly a chunk of actual moon
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Planet Earth is parting company with an asteroid that’s been tagging along as a “mini moon” for the past two months. The harmless space rock will…
Read more
The Leonid meteor shower peaks as the supermoon wanes
WASHINGTON — It’s a treat to see a supermoon. But that bright glowing orb will still be almost full when the Leonid meteor shower peaks this weekend, likely obscuring all…
Read more
When to catch the last supermoon of the year
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Better catch this week’s supermoon. It will be a while until the next one. This will be the year’s fourth and final supermoon, looking bigger and…
Read more
The Taurid meteor showers peak a week apart in November
WASHINGTON — Two sister meteor showers are already flashing across night skies — and will peak a week apart. The Southern Taurids will reach their zenith early Tuesday morning and…
Read more
‘Halloween comet’ breaks apart after flying close to the sun
A recently discovered comet that some stargazers had hoped to see during Halloween week has disintegrated before the day of ghosts and ghouls. NASA confirmed Tuesday its sun-observing spacecraft captured…
Read more
Citizen astronomers rally to protect Mexico’s night sky for the next generation
JOYA-LA BARRETA ECOLOGICAL PARK, Mexico — As night descended, a rumble of frogs filled the air in this park outside the central Mexican city of Queretaro. In the sky, tiny…
Read more