Astronomy, features and articles | Educational Science

Feb 25, 2024

Earth has extra moons, and they may hold the secrets of our solar system's past

The solar system holds many secrets that scientists are still trying to unravel. To help shed light on these mysteries, researchers are turning to space rocks of all kinds that may hold clues to the lost story of our solar system's past. This approach is already bearing fruit: In October...

Feb 29, 2024

NASA's asteroid-slamming DART mission completely changed the shape of its target

Scientists have discovered that the target asteroid of NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) may have been reshaped by the impact. A new investigation into the collision's aftermath revealed that the asteroid, which is the smaller component of a binary asteroid system, exhibits a loose rubble-pile composition. DART slammed into...

Mar 7, 2024

Zero chance of potential city-killer asteroid 'Apophis' smashing into Earth in 2029, new study confirms

There is almost zero chance that the infamous city-killer asteroid Apophis will hit Earth when it zips closely past our planet in 2029 — even when a previously unconsidered factor is taken into account, a new study shows. Apophis is a peanut-shaped space rock spanning around 1,100 feet (340 meters)...

Dec 23, 2010

Was the Star of Bethlehem Actually Venus?

That glittering star topping your Christmas tree isn't there just to look pretty it represents the Star of Bethlehem, which glowed overhead when Jesus was born, according to the Bible. But some scientists believe the star was not a star at all, but three planets. There are many theories as...

Apr 9, 2011

Bizarre Vortex on Venus Changes Shape Every Day

A giant vortex at the south pole of Venus is actually a shape-shifter that changes form at least once a day, at times bizarrely taking on the appearance of a giant letter S or the number 8, a new study reveals. Venus, the second closest planet to the sun, possesses...

Jul 27, 2011

View of Venus's South Pole

The hemispheric view of Venus, as revealed by more than a decade of radar investigations culminating in the 1990-1994 Magellan mission, is centered on the South Pole.The Magellan spacecraft imaged more than 98% of Venus at a resolution of about 100 meters; the effective resolution of this image is about...

Dec 5, 2011

Venus

A global view of Venus. Wallpapers Standard 800x600 1024x768 1280x1024 1600x1200 Wide 1280x800 1440x900 1680x1050 1920x1200 ...

Jan 9, 2012

Venus to Dance Across Sun in Rare June Skywatching Treat

AUSTIN, Texas — This year, skywatchers will have the chance to see an astronomical event so rare that it will not occur again for another 105 years: the shadowy passage of Venus across the face of the sun. On June 5, Venus' orbital path will take it directly between Earth...

Jan 24, 2012

Russian Scientist's Claim of Life on Venus Proven False

A respected Russian scientist claims to have found signs of life on Venus in photographs taken by a Soviet probe 30 years ago. However, outside analysis suggests he is breathing life into an assortment of camera lens covers and image blurs. According to the Russian news service Ria Novosti, Leonid...

Mar 9, 2012

Raging Solar Storm 'Blinds' Venus Spacecraft

Strong radiation from one of the most intense solar storms in the past five years has temporarily blinded a European spacecraft in orbit around Venus, and mission controllers are now racing to fix the problem. The European Space Agency's Venus Express probe, which is located much closer to the sun...

Mar 13, 2012

Jupiter and Venus 'Could Be Mistaken for UFOs'

Jupiter and Venus will mingle in the night sky tonight (Mar. 13), and Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society says he would not be surprised if the pair of planets are mistaken for UFOs. Venus and Jupiter are at what we call a 'conjunction,' and that means that they...

Mar 30, 2012

Venus and Pleiades Star Cluster Shine in Celestial Show Tuesday

As the bright planets Venus and Jupiter go their own separate ways after their spectacular tryst in mid-March, Venus continues to grow ever-brighter as the northern spring evenings warm up. The planet seems to gleam almost like a sequined showgirl, hovering in the west-northwest sky high above the setting sun....

Apr 5, 2012

Surprise! Venus May Have Auroras Without a Magnetic Field

The same magnetic phenomenon that causes auroras on Earth has now surprisingly been discovered creating giant magnetic bubbles around Venus, a planet without a magnetic field. These findings could help explain mysterious flashes of light from Venus, in addition to the way comet tails work, researchers say. The Northern and...

Apr 27, 2012

President Obama Catches View of Dazzling Venus and Moon

Skywatchers awed by the brilliant planet Venus shining with the crescent moon this week are in good company. The striking celestial lights also drew the watchful gaze of President Barack Obama, a new White House photograph reveals. The photo of the president with Venus and the moon was captured Tuesday...

May 7, 2012

Hubble to Watch Historic Venus Transit, Using Moon as Mirror

Scientists are planning to use NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to observe next month's historic transit of Venus across the sun's face. But there's a twist. Researchers can't point Hubble anywhere near the sun, because our star's bright light could damage the telescope's super-sensitive instruments. So Hubble will watch the June...