Depicts the magnetic field of a muon. (Image credit: Newton Henry Black/Wikimedia Commons) How the universe got its large magnetic fields has remained one of the stickiest outstanding problems in astrophysics. Now, researchers have proposed a novel solution: a giant “dust battery” operating when the first stars appeared. Magnetic fields are everywhere in the universe. […]
Where did the universe’s magnetic fields come from? Read More »
Using data from Gaia, astronomers have just discovered a low-mass black hole orbiting a companion star. Credit: WANG song Astronomers have discovered a light black hole that poses a bit of a cosmic enigma. Hypothetically, black hole masses can range from much less than a paper clip to at least tens of billions of times
Astronomers find a mini black hole Read More »
(Image credit: Islam Dogru/Anadolu via Getty Images) The final supermoon of 2024, the Beaver Moon of November, thrilled skywatchers around the world as it ushered in the weekend with a stunning night sky sight. November’s full moon rose on Friday (Nov. 15) while the moon was slightly closer to Earth in its orbit, making it
Last supermoon of 2024 wows skywatchers around the world with Full Beaver Moon (photos) Read More »
The Yerkes Observatory is located atop a hill in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. All photos were taken by Samantha Hill The town of Williams Bay, Wisconsin is much like any other small town on a lake, with plenty of tourist shops and an active beach. But just a short drive after the activity brings you to
How the Yerkes Observatory began again Read More »
(Image credit: Walter Sanders/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock) Now in the works is a retro look back in time at a bizarre Cold War caper by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) thanks to a forthcoming, star-studded comedy/drama movie called “Lunik Heist.” Earlier this month, Searchlight Pictures, a Disney-owned division, announced that actors Jared Leto, Lupita Nyong’o,
‘Lunik Heist:’ A real-life CIA rocket kidnapping goes to Hollywood Read More »
SpaceX caught its Super Heavy booster in mid-air using a pair of metal “wandstick” arms, the first time such a maneuver has been successfully completed. Credit: SpaceX SpaceX’s Starship program, responsible for developing the largest and most powerful rocket ever flown, continues to make history. On Sunday, Starship and the Super Heavy booster lifted off
SpaceX achieves historic booster capture during Starship test Read More »
Five varieties of heirloom seeds from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma — including Isito (Choctaw Sweet Potato Squash), Tobi (Smith Peas), Tanchi Tohbi (Flour Corn), Tvnishi (Lambsquarter), and Chukfi Peas — were flown to the International Space Station in November 2023. (Image credit: NASA/Loral O’Hara) Seeds flown to space last year will be planted on
Space-flown Choctaw Nation seeds to be planted on Earth for STEM experiment Read More »
A participant at the Kitt Peak Observatory Night Observing Program examines the glittering night sky with binoculars. Credit: B. Foott/KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA Once again, we’ve scoured the astro-marketplace to find the finest, most practical, and most innovative products for Astronomy magazine’s Star Products, 2024 edition. This collection of 35 items, in no particular order, offers a diverse
Astronomy’s 14th annual star products Read More »
An illustration of the night sky on Nov. 17, 2024, showing the origin point of the Leonid meteor shower in the Leo constellation. (Image credit: Chris Vaughan/Starry Night) It is important to stress again that at the outset that any suggestion of a spectacular meteor Leonid display this year is, to put it mildly, overly
Europa Clipper flies above the icy surface of its namesake moon in this artist’s concept. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech NASA’s newest science flagship is on its way to the Jupiter system to explore the icy moon Europa, one of the most compelling worlds in our solar system. The mission began Oct. 14 from Launch Complex 39A at
NASA’s Europa Clipper sets sail for Jupiter Read More »