Sky & Telescope Magazine

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

The post Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks December 13-14 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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.

The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 12 – 21 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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.

The post Webb’s First Look at TRAPPIST-1e Hints at a Titan-like Atmosphere appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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.

The post Two Stars’ Swept by the Solar System 4.5 million Years Ago  appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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

The post Galaxies Spin on Vast Filament Like a Teacup Ride appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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.

The post Get Ready for the Geminids appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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.

The post The Sun's Poles Are Different Than We Expected appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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.

The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 5 – 14 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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

The post The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Celebrates 30 Years in Space appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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

The post The Gift of Warmth (and Whimsy) appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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

The post Boosting the Gravitational Wave Background appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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

The post Tiny Sparks of Lightning Detected on Mars for the First Time appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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 informative Sky Tour.

The post December Podcast: Find the “Demon Star” appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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

The post First Private Space Telescope Launches Successfully appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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.

The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 28 – December 7 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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.

The post Lure of the Obscure — Andromeda's Parachute and Dracula's Chivito appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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

The post Red Giant “Star Songs” Reveal Their Chaotic, Pasts appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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

The post Thirty Meter Telescope Considers Move to Spain appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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.

The post Spot Uranus at Opposition appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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.

The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 21 – 30 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.