"Professor Goddard does not know the relation between action and reaction and the need to have something better than a vacuum against which to react. He seems to lack the basic knowledge ladled out daily in high schools."
--1921 New York Times editorial about Robert Goddard's revolutionary rocket work.

"Correction: It is now definitely established that a rocket can function in a vacuum. The 'Times' regrets the error."
NY Times, July 1969.

— New York Times

Astronomy

U.S. Plan to Drop Some Childhood Vaccines to Align with Denmark Will Endanger Children, Experts Say

Scientific American.com - 9 hours 41 min ago

The U.S. reportedly plans to overhaul the country’s childhood vaccine schedule. The move could set public health back decades, experts say

Categories: Astronomy

IMAP's Instruments Are Coming Online

Universe Today - 10 hours 9 min ago

During the deployment of new space telescopes that are several critical steps each has to go through. Launch is probably the one most commonly thought of, another is “first light” of all of the instruments on the telescope. Ultimately, they’re responsible for the data the telescope is intended to collect - if they don’t work properly then the mission itself it a failure. Luckily, the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) recently collected first light on its 10 primary instruments, and everything seems to be in working order, according to a press release from the Southwest Research Institute who was responsible for ensuring the delivery of all 10 instruments went off without a hitch.

Categories: Astronomy

Disney and OpenAI Signal the Arrival of AI Video Streaming

Scientific American.com - 10 hours 11 min ago

Disney and OpenAI’s agreement hints at a future in which viewers don’t just choose what to watch but generate it on demand

Categories: Astronomy

The Last Meteor Shower of 2025 and the Winter Solstice Align This Weekend

Scientific American.com - 10 hours 41 min ago

Sky watchers may be tempted out this weekend, when an underappreciated meteor shower will coincide with a new moon and the longest night of year for the Northern Hemisphere

Categories: Astronomy

Jupiter and the Meteors from Gemini

APOD - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 8:00pm

Jupiter and the Meteors from Gemini


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

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APOD - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 8:00pm

Stars are forming in the Soul of the Queen of


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

<p><a href="https://apod.nasa.gov/apod

APOD - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 8:00pm

What’s happening over that tree?


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

<p><a href="https://apod.nasa.gov/apod

APOD - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 8:00pm

Where are all of these meteors coming from?


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

<p><a href="https://apod.nasa.gov/apod

APOD - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 8:00pm

What would it be like to fly over the


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

Orion and the Ocean of Storms

APOD - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 8:00pm

On December 5, 2022,


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

Long Shadows of the Montes Caucasus

APOD - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 8:00pm

Long Shadows of the Montes Caucasus


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

Glowing Arc by Andromeda Might Be Remnants of a Dying Star

Sky & Telescope Magazine - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 2:14pm

Discovered by amateur astronomers, a mysterious arc of gas might be the ghostly remains of a star shedding its outer layers. However, astronomers haven’t reached a consensus yet.

The post Glowing Arc by Andromeda Might Be Remnants of a Dying Star appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

Categories: Astronomy

Water Droplet Science

NASA Image of the Day - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 12:44pm
NASA astronaut Don Pettit demonstrates electrostatic forces using charged water droplets and a knitting needle made of Teflon.
Categories: Astronomy, NASA

Offshore Wind Farm in China Becomes a Haven for Oysters, Barnacles, and More, Study Finds

Scientific American.com - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 12:30pm

A wind farm off the coast of China appeared to boost fish numbers and supported colonies of oysters and barnacles, according to new research

Categories: Astronomy

The Hubble Witnesses Catastrophic Collisions In The Fomalhaut System

Universe Today - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 12:10pm

For the first time, astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have spotted a pair of catastrophic collisions in another solar system. They were observing Fomalhaut, a bright star about 25 light-years away, and detected a pair of planetesimal collisions and their light-reflecting dust clouds. The system is young, and the collisions reflect what our Solar System was like when it was young.

Categories: Astronomy

Galileo: the journey of satellites 33 and 34

ESO Top News - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 11:30am
Video: 00:05:30

On 17 December 2025, two new Galileo satellites lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This was the 14th launch for Europe’s satellite navigation operational satellite programme, reinforcing Europe’s resilience and autonomy. The flight, VA266, was the first launch of Galileo satellites on Europe’s newest heavy-lift launcher Ariane 6. 

The satellites, designated SAT 33 and SAT 34, separated from the launcher after a flight of just under four hours. The launch was declared successful after acquisition of signal and the confirmation that both satellites are healthy with their solar arrays deployed. 

“With these new satellites, we strengthen Europe’s global navigation services - delivering greater precision, reliability and autonomy in space”, affirmed Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space.  

“Galileo stands as the world’s most accurate global navigation satellite system – and today we have increased its reliability and robustness,” said Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General.  

The European Space Agency was responsible for carrying out the Galileo launch with Arianespace on behalf of the European Commission. The Galileo satellites were manufactured by OHB, under contract with ESA. Now in orbit, the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) brings the satellites into service and oversees their operation. 

Follow the launch campaign

Access the related broadcast quality video material

Categories: Astronomy

Post-CM25 industry event online set for 14 January

ESO Top News - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 11:05am

On 14 January 2026, the European Space Agency (ESA) will hold an online post-CM25 industry event for all ESA industrial partners.

Categories: Astronomy

ESA Impact 2025 - October-December

ESO Top News - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 10:49am

ESA Impact 2025 - October-December

Welcome to ESA Impact, your interactive gateway to the most captivating stories and stunning visuals from the European Space Agency, now in a mobile-friendly format.

Categories: Astronomy

Do You Know What Time It Is? If You're On Mars, Now You Do.

Universe Today - Fri, 12/19/2025 - 10:15am

Ask someone on Earth for the time and they can give you an exact answer, thanks to our planet's intricate timekeeping system, built with atomic clocks, GPS satellites and high-speed telecommunications networks. Ask for the time on Mars and the answer gets much more complicated.

Categories: Astronomy