2013
Record Setting Asteroid Flyby
Jan. 28, 2013
On Feb. 15th an asteroid about half the size of a football field will fly past Earth closer than many man-made satellites. Since regular sky surveys began in the 1990s, astronomers have never seen an object so big come so close to our planet.
Rover: Conditions Once Suited for Life on Mars
March 12, 2013
An analysis of a rock sample collected by NASA's Curiosity rover shows ancient Mars could have supported living microbes.
See Mercury at Sunset
Feb. 8, 2013
The planet Mercury is about to make its best apparition of the year for backyard sky watchers. Look west at sunset for a piercing pink planet surrounded by twilight blue.
See Saturn at its Best and Brightest
April 24, 2013
Saturn and Earth are having a close encounter. See the ringed planet at its best and brightest on April 28th.
Solar Cycle Update: Twin Peaks?
March 1, 2013
Something unexpected is happening on the sun. 2013 is supposed to be the year of Solar Max, but solar activity is much lower than expected. At least one leading forecaster expects the sun to rebound with a double-peaked maximum later this year.
Solar Variability and Terrestrial Climate
Jan. 8, 2013
A new report issued by the National Research Council (NRC), "The Effects of Solar Variability on Earth's Climate," lays out some of the surprisingly complex ways that solar activity can make itself felt on our planet.
Solar Wind Energy Source Discovered
March 8, 2013
Using data from an aging NASA spacecraft, researchers have found signs of an energy source in the solar wind that has caught the attention of fusion researchers.
Sunset Comet
March 15, 2013
Comet Pan-STARRS has survived its encounter with the sun and is now emerging from twilight in the sunset skies of the northern hemisphere. A NASA spacecraft has beamed back spectacular pictures of a "wild and ragged" tail behind the comet's active nucleus.
The UN Braces for Stormy Space Weather
Feb. 13, 2013
Forecasters say solar maximum is due in 2013. To prepare, the UN is organizing an international response to stormy space weather.
Universe Older Than Previously Thought
March 21, 2013
The European Space Agency's Planck spacecraft has released the most detailed map ever made of the oldest light in the universe, revealing new information about its age, contents and origins.