2012
Christmas Sky Show
Dec. 21, 2012
The Moon and Jupiter are converging for a heavenly sky show on Christmas 2012. Got a telescope? Something is happening on Jupiter that makes it an extra-interesting target for backyard optics.
Saturn's Transit of Venus on Dec. 21, 2012
Dec. 20, 2012
This Friday, Dec. 21st, researchers will use NASA's Cassini spacecraft to observe a rare transit of Venus from the planet Saturn.
Lunar Impact Site Named After Sally Ride
Dec. 17, 2012
NASA has named the site where two spacecraft hit the Moon on Dec. 17th in honor of the late astronaut Sally K. Ride, who was America's first woman in space.
Why the World Didn't End Yesterday
Dec. 14, 2012
NASA is so sure the world won't come to an end on Dec. 21, 2012, they have already released this news item for the day after.
NASA Gravity Probes Prepare to Hit the Moon
Dec. 13, 2012
A pair of NASA spacecraft orbiting the Moon are being prepared for a controlled descent into a mountain near the lunar north pole on Monday, Dec. 17.
Big Asteroid Tumbles Harmlessly Past Earth
Dec. 12, 2012
Asteroid 4179 Toutatis is tumbling past Earth this week. Astronomers are taking advantage of the flyby to ping the space rock using NASA radars and obtain images of unprecedented clarity.
A New Meteor Shower in December?
Dec. 11, 2012
Forecasters say a stream of meteoroids from Comet Wirtanen could cut across Earth's path this week, creating a new meteor shower in mid-December. If the shower materializes (a big if) it would add to the ongoing display of Geminid meteors which peaks on Dec. 13-14.
Rock Comet Meteor Shower
Dec. 9, 2012
The Geminid meteor shower peaks on Dec. 13th and 14th when Earth runs through a stream of debris from a strange object that some astronomers are calling a "rock comet."
Unprecedented New Images of Earth at Night
Dec. 5, 2012
New images from a NASA-NOAA satellite reveal the Earth at night as never seen before. Highlights include views of superstorm Sandy making landfall in moonlight, photos of Northern Lights over the Arctic, and spectacular snapshots of city lights.
Voyager 1 Tastes Interstellar Space
Dec. 3, 2012
Eleven billion miles from Earth, NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft has entered a "magnetic highway" that connects our solar system to interstellar space. This could be one of Voyager 1's last steps on its long journey to the stars.