These earthly godfathers of Heaven's lights, that give a name to every fixed star, have no more profit of their shining nights than those that walk and know not what they are.

— William Shakespeare

Astronomy

Scientists spot high-speed galaxy collision 11 billion light-years away: 'We hence call this system the cosmic joust'

Space.com - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 9:00am
A galactic collision 11 billion light-years away reveals how an actively feeding supermassive black hole disrupts star formation in a nearby galaxy.
Categories: Astronomy

This Week In Space podcast: Episode 162 — Lunar Landing Day

Space.com - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 8:23am
On Episode 162 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the effort to make July 20 a national holiday called "Lunar Landing Day."
Categories: Astronomy

YgiTK Northern Galaxy Lights star projector review

Space.com - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 8:00am
We recommend this unit as a great value-for-money non-scientific star projector. It boasts bright lights, a good loudspeaker and multiple music-streaming methods.
Categories: Astronomy

Ares 3 Landing Site: The Martian Revisited

APOD - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 8:00pm

Ares 3 Landing Site: The Martian Revisited


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

SpaceX launches Starlink satellites from California, completes 450th booster landing (video)

Space.com - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 7:39pm
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base tonight (May 9), carrying 26 Starlink satellites for the company's growing constellation.
Categories: Astronomy

What time is SpaceX's Starship Flight 9 launch today?

Space.com - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 6:40pm
SpaceX is aiming to launch its Starship Flight 9 test mission no earlier than Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. EDT (2330 GMT), but only if conditions allow.
Categories: Astronomy

Astronomers Conduct a Preliminary Search for Exoplanets Around Alpha Centauri

Universe Today - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 5:11pm

An international team of researchers has announced the preliminary findings of Webb's observations of the Alpha Centauri system. According to their analysis, Webb could detect a Jupiter-sized planet and a very bright zodiacal dust disk around Alpha Cen A. More information will be released soon!

Categories: Astronomy

Trump's Golden Dome defence project could spur a space arms race

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 5:00pm
US President Trump has proposed a Golden Dome defence system that includes missile interceptors in space. But the idea would cost hundreds of billions of dollars – and could accelerate the weaponisation of space
Categories: Astronomy

Trump's Golden Dome defence project could spur a space arms race

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 5:00pm
US President Trump has proposed a Golden Dome defence system that includes missile interceptors in space. But the idea would cost hundreds of billions of dollars – and could accelerate the weaponisation of space
Categories: Astronomy

Venus, Saturn and the moon dazzle at dawn in 'romantic' photo from Chew Valley Lake (photo)

Space.com - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 5:00pm
It was a race against the rising sun as astrophotographer Josh Dury captured a fleeting cosmic moment before dawn’s light washed the scene away.
Categories: Astronomy

Is Venus Hiding Dangerous Asteroids?

Universe Today - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 4:17pm

Twenty years ago, the US Congress instructed NASA to find 90% of near-Earth asteroids threatening Earth. They've made progress finding these asteroids that orbit the Sun and come to within 1.3 astronomical units of Earth. However, they may have to expand their search since astronomers are now finding asteroids co-orbiting Venus that could pose a threat.

Categories: Astronomy

Lightning from above | Space photo of the day for May 23, 2025

Space.com - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 3:30pm
NASA astronaut Anne McClain shared photos she captured of lightning as seen from her place on board the International Space Station.
Categories: Astronomy

Moon and Flag at NASA Michoud

NASA Image of the Day - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 3:02pm
The waning gibbous moon sets behind a flag at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans just after sunrise on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Categories: Astronomy, NASA

New Infrared Contacts Let You See in the Dark

Scientific American.com - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 2:30pm

Straight out of science fiction, these contact lenses convert infrared light into visible light that humans can see

Categories: Astronomy

The moon doesn't have a magnetic field, so why does it have magnetic rocks?

Space.com - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 2:00pm
A new simulation suggests a massive asteroid impact may have briefly supercharged the moon's magnetic field, leaving behind magnetized rocks that still carry its signature.
Categories: Astronomy

I search deals for a living and $230 off this DJI Mini 4 Pro combo might be the best Memorial Day drone deal out there

Space.com - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 1:27pm
You can save a massive $230 on the DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More combo in this Memorial Day drone deal and get it for its lowest-ever price.
Categories: Astronomy

How To Resolve Conflicts Over Lunar Resources

Universe Today - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 1:19pm

Sometimes, space enthusiasts blind themselves with techno-optimism about all the potential cool technological things we can do and the benefits they can offer humanity. We conveniently ignore that there are trade-offs: if one group gets to utilize the water available on the lunar surface, that means another group doesn't get to. Recognizing and attempting to come up with a plan to deal with those sorts of trade-offs is the intent of a new paper by Marissa Herron and Therese Jones of NASA's Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, as well as Amanda Hernandez of BryceTech, a contractor based out of Virginia.

Categories: Astronomy

'Mickey 17' starts streaming on HBO Max today, and you absolutely need to watch this underrated sci-fi romp

Space.com - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 1:00pm
Robert Pattinson plays an expendable laborer in Bong Joon Ho's satirical sci-fi comedy, which hits HBO Max today.
Categories: Astronomy

Why do the numbers that shape our universe exist at all?

Space.com - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 12:15pm
There is a set of very special numbers, known as the fundamental constants of nature, that cannot be explained. Where do they come from?
Categories: Astronomy

Best Memorial Day star projector deals — 6 big savings you can still get

Space.com - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 12:00pm
These Memorial Day star projector deals are still live as you can enjoy immersive stars and galaxies from the comfort of your home for less.
Categories: Astronomy