Comets
Could These Carvings in Turkey Be the World's Oldest Lunisolar Calendar?
One researcher thinks the V-shaped markings engraved into a pillar thousands of years ago may represent the days of the year
NASA Retires Orbiting Telescope That Charted Asteroids for Over a Decade
NEOWISE, which looked for potentially hazardous objects in the solar system, received its last command on Thursday and will burn up when it re-enters Earth's atmosphere
How to Watch the Perseids, the 'Best Meteor Shower of the Year'
The annual celestial event is one of the year's most anticipated, and it will peak from August 11 to 12
How to Watch the Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower
Though not as prolific as the Perseids, this annual spectacle is 'scientifically interesting' because its comet of origin remains a mystery
Watch a Blue-Green Comet Illuminate Skies Over Spain and Portugal
The colorful fireball mesmerized onlookers—and its unexpected appearance surprised astronomers who are hoping to better predict when space rocks enter Earth's atmosphere
How to Watch the Dazzling Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower, Bringing an Unusual 'Outburst' to Skies This Weekend
This year's spectacle will be more impressive than usual, as the Earth passes through a concentrated clump of 3,000-year-old comet debris
How to Watch the Brilliant Lyrid Meteor Shower This Month
Fiery streaks will illuminate the night sky from April 15-29, with the spectacle's peak occurring from April 21-22
You Can See a Rare, Bright Comet This Month. Will It Be Visible During the Solar Eclipse?
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is a frigid, volcanic ice ball that won’t pass near Earth again until 2095
What It Takes to Complete the Ultimate Skywatching Endurance Challenge
The "Messier marathon" prompts space hobbyists to spot 110 celestial objects in one night, and the best time to try it is in March
These 15 Photos Capture the Beauty of the Night Sky
Stars shine in these heavenly images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
Nine Dazzling Celestial Events to Watch in 2024
Skywatchers can expect spectacular meteor showers, a comet soaring past Earth and a long-anticipated total solar eclipse
What to See in the Sky in January: Meteor Showers, Planets and Comets
From the Quadrantids to a "swarm of stars," here are the celestial spectacles you won’t want to miss this month
How to Watch the Geminid Meteor Shower This Week
The celestial spectacle will peak on December 13 and 14, lighting up the night sky with as many as 120 shooting stars per hour
The 'Comet of the Century' Failed to Impress, but It Wasn't Such a Disaster After All
Highly anticipated before its arrival in late 1973, Kohoutek became an interplanetary punchline. But astronomers may have gotten the last laugh
How NASA Captured Asteroid Dust to Find the Origins of Life
The sample of the space rock Bennu that OSIRIS-REx collected could unlock an ancient existential mystery
How to Watch the Dazzling Leonid Meteor Shower This Weekend
The celestial spectacle has been ongoing since the beginning of the month, but it will peak Friday night into early Saturday morning
Here’s How to Watch The Orionid Meteor Shower This Weekend
The celestial show will peak on the night of October 21 to 22, with around 23 meteors expected per hour
Newly Discovered Green Comet Is Passing By Earth This Week
Comet Nishimura, which appears only once every 435 years, is on track to approach the sun and shoot into deep space
How to Watch the Highly Anticipated Perseid Meteor Shower
This weekend, sky conditions will be almost perfect to catch a glimpse of shooting stars during one of the year's best celestial shows
How to Watch the Striking Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower
The spectacle is among several showers brightening skies this week, including the highly anticipated Perseids
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