For those well north of the equator, January’s long nights provide lots of time to enjoy the starry sky — and the stars of winter are spectacular! This month’s celestial highlights include a close pass of Saturn and Venus, a strong meteor shower, and much more. Our fun and factual Sky Tour podcast provides all the details.
Space News & Blog Articles
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This gorgeous spiral galaxy spotted by Hubble telescope is a yardstick for galactic expansion
The barred spiral galaxy NGC 6956 isn't just pretty to look at in this new Hubble photo, it's an essential tool for understanding the universe.
NASA sensors could help detect landfill methane from space to help limit climate change
Data from the NASA mission EMIT will help the new initiative Carbon Mapper track the greenhouse gas methane from waste sites.
Juno spacecraft recovering its memory after mind-blowing Jupiter flyby, NASA says
NASA's Juno spacecraft is recovering its memory after a download disruption following its December flyby of Jupiter.
Hubble Space Telescope delivers holiday sparkle in new image
A new Hubble Space Telescope image displays the quintessential colors of the holiday season: bright blue-white stars shine against dusty swaths shaded red.
How to watch the Quadrantids – one of the best meteor showers all year – on Jan. 2 and 3
The Quadrantid meteor shower is considered one of the best to view all year. Here's how to maximize your chances of seeing shooting stars.
China is Considering Where to Build a Lunar Research Station
The second Moon race is in full swing, with the world’s two big superpowers angling to score a new set of firsts on the lunar surface. NASA’s Artemis program recently clocked up its first success with the splashdown of Orion, but China is looking to take the lead when it comes to setting up a fully-fledged lunar research station. One of the first steps in that process – figuring out where to put it. That is what a new paper attempts to quantify, and it comes up with a practical solution – the south pole.
Want to Build Structures on the Moon? Just Blast the Regolith With Microwaves
Microwaves are useful for more than just heating up leftovers. They can also make landing pads on other worlds – at least according to research released by a consortium of scientists at the University of Central Florida, Arizona State University, and Cislune, a private company. Their research shows how a combination of sorting the lunar soil and then blasting it with microwaves can create a landing pad for future rockets on the Moon – and save any surrounding buildings from being blasted by 10,000 kph dust particles.
Earth looks stunning in this 1st full view from the NOAA-21 satellite (photos)
The Earth looks amazing in this first global view from NOAA's new NOAA-21 imaging satellite, which launched in November 2022.
See the rare 'planet parade' of 5 naked-eye planets in these photos by an astronomer
Clear skies beckoned Wednesday (Dec. 28) in Rome, allowing the Virtual Telescope Project's Gianluca Masi to get busy with a year-end broadcast.
Is there life on Mars? A NASA scientist explains in new video
NASA astrobiologist Heather Graham answers pressing questions about life on Mars.
See Mars 'peek out' from behind the moon in stunning eclipse photo
An astrophotographer has captured a highly detailed image of the Red Planet reappearing from behind the moon after a lunar occultation.
Detecting life on Saturn moon Enceladus would require 100 flybys through its geyser plume, study suggests
Detecting life on the icy Saturn moon of Enceladus could be achieved without even landing, but it wouldn't be easy, scientists say.
SpaceX launch of Israeli satellite marks company’s 61st mission of 2022
A Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, with the Israeli EROS C3 satellite. Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX launched its 61st and final mission of 2022 Thursday night from California, placing an Israeli Earth-imaging satellite into orbit and tying a 1980 record for the most successful flights by a rocket family in a single year.
See the best photos from the International Space Station of 2022 in this NASA video
NASA has released a stunning series of images that celebrate 2022 aboard the International Space Station.
Boom Supersonic unveils new Symphony engine for faster-than-sound Overture airliner
Boom Supersonic has unveiled its new Symphony engine to serve as the cutting-edge propulsion system for its Overture airliner.
US Space Force launches new recruitment site with flashy Vulcan Centaur rocket
Space Force has a new look for its recruiting website: a simulated launch of the United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket bringing a GPS satellite to space.
The most distant spacecraft in the solar system — Where are they now?
Humans have sent four spacecraft out of the solar system, with another swiftly approaching the edge of our solar system — and they have a lot to teach us about our place in space.
This wild interstellar picogram probe idea could carry engineered microbes to other stars
Microbes carried by laser-propelled sails could serve as interstellar probes that can build communications stations to phone home from Alpha Centauri.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 30 – January 7
Venus creeps up, Saturn sinks down; in three weeks the two shall meet. The Moon meets Mars. Orion comes into his own to rule the winter, and Sirius emerges below him.
Watch SpaceX launch an Israeli reconnaissance satellite in its final flight of 2022 tonight
You can watch SpaceX's final launch of 2022 for free as the company aims for its 61st mission of the year, nearly doubling the mark set in 2021.
