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Friday, Dec 12

12

This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 12 – 21

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Big Jupiter now rises in the east-southeast less than an hour after dark. It's high in sharp telescopic viewing by about 10 p.m.

Thursday, Dec 11

22

Webb’s First Look at TRAPPIST-1e Hints at a Titan-like Atmosphere

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Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope suggest the planet might have a nitrogen-and-methane atmosphere — but more data are needed to rule out a bare rock scenario.

18

Two Stars’ Swept by the Solar System 4.5 million Years Ago

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Two winter stars left their mark long ago on wispy gas clouds near the solar system. Their passage might even have influenced life on Earth.

Tuesday, Dec 9

17

Galaxies Spin on Vast Filament Like a Teacup Ride

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Astronomers have discovered one of the largest structures in the universe — and the galaxies within it — spinning like a fairground teacup ride.

Monday, Dec 8

23

Get Ready for the Geminids

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It’s December and that means one of the best celestial events will grace the skies. The Geminid meteor shower should peak between Saturday night and Sunday morning, December 13–14.

08

Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks December 13-14

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Great news! We'll have dark skies for the year's richest meteor shower.

Friday, Dec 5

15

The Sun's Poles Are Different Than We Expected

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A new analysis of the Solar Orbiter's unique views of the Sun's poles shows how a "conveyor belt" moves within our nearest star.

11

This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 5 – 14

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The Moon, waning away from full, groups up with Jupiter, Castor and Pollux on two nights. Later in the week the Geminid meteor shower comes into full bloom.

Thursday, Dec 4

21

The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Celebrates 30 Years in Space

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The groundbreaking mission designed to observe our Sun and its interactions with Earth celebrates three decades in space this week.

17

The Gift of Warmth (and Whimsy)

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An idea for the stubborn winter stargazer on your holiday list (especially if it's you!)

Wednesday, Dec 3

20

Boosting the Gravitational Wave Background

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Why is the gravitational-wave background — the hum made by supermassive black holes colliding across the universe — stronger than expected?

Tuesday, Dec 2

17

Tiny Sparks of Lightning Detected on Mars for the First Time

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The microphone on NASA's Perseverance rover unexpectedly heard tiny claps of thunder from sparks caused by colliding dust grains.

Monday, Dec 1

08

December Podcast: Find the “Demon Star”

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During December you can watch for some impressive shooting stars and spend some time with the “Demon Star,” which can’t decide how bright it wants to be. Bundle up, grab your curiosity, and head outdoors for this month’s fun and…

Friday, Nov 28

21

First Private Space Telescope Launches Successfully

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A small space telescope may signal a big new trend for modern astronomy.

11

This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 28 – December 7

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Saturn remains super-thin-ringed high after dark. The interstellar comet, 11th magnitude, is now nice and high in the dark before dawn. Don't wait; moonlight approaches.

Wednesday, Nov 26

18

Lure of the Obscure — Andromeda's Parachute and Dracula's Chivito

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Observers can't resist the challenge of seeking faint objects with curious names. We go deep and visit two — Andromeda's Parachute and Dracula's Chivito.

Tuesday, Nov 25

17

Red Giant “Star Songs” Reveal Their Chaotic, Pasts

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Astronomers have tuned in to the celestial “songs” of two red giant stars to reveal their hidden histories — including a case of stellar cannibalism.

Monday, Nov 24

Thirty Meter Telescope Considers Move to Spain

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Spain’s offer to host the powerful observatory, mired in funding obstacles and local controversies, might promise a new path forward.

Friday, Nov 21

22

Spot Uranus at Opposition

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Uranus is its closest to Earth all year on the night of November 21st, and you can find it easily in the evening sky using Sky & Telescope’s exclusive star chart.

12

This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 21 – 30

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Saturn's rings are now the closest to edge on that they'll get. The famous interstellar comet has become higher and easier for amateur telescopes before dawn.

Thursday, Nov 20

20

Updates on Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: NASA Images, Many Tails, and Non-gravitational Forces

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Now that Comet 3I/ATLAS has emerged from the Sun's glare, its behavior is being monitored by every available observatory.

Wednesday, Nov 19

18

Meet the Seven Sisters’ 3,000 Lost Siblings

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The Pleiades star cluster is part of a much larger complex that stretches across the entire sky, a new study shows.

Tuesday, Nov 18

17

Comet K1/ATLAS Crumbles, Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Delights

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Watch an Oort Cloud comet disintegrate before your eyes. Meanwhile, interstellar intruder 3I/ATLAS is brighter than expected.

Monday, Nov 17

15

The Sun Left Home in a Hurry

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By exploring the edge of the solar system, astronomers have estimated how long our star stuck around its siblings after birth.

Friday, Nov 14

17

Have Astronomers Discovered the First Generation of Stars?

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With the help of an intervening galaxy cluster, astronomers have found what might be the first generation of stars — but the jury's still out.

12

This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 14 – 23

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Saturn's rings are turning as edge-on as we will see them for another 15 years. The planet awaits your scope high in the evening sky. Low in the dawn, the thin Moon approaches Venus.

01

ESCAPADE Mission Launches for a Long Trip to Mars

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A small but unique mission to Mars is taking an innovative path to reach the Red Planet in late 2027.

Wednesday, Nov 12

21

Double Solar Eruptions Spark Widespread Aurora

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Last night's aurora painted the sky in reds, greens and even oranges. It's expected to return tonight!

16

See Saturn's Rings at Their Thinnest

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Saturn's as edgy as it'll get for the next 13 years. With special visual treats in store, here's what to keep eyes on the planet this month.

Monday, Nov 10

00

Astronomy Heaven: Sky & Telescope Tours Chile

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Sky & Telescope's Chile tour offered magnificent views of the southern sky, professional observatories, and one of the world’s most remarkable deserts.