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Sky & Telescope
@skyandtelescope.bsky.social
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The Essential Guide to Astronomy | We provide the world's leading compendium of information about the science and hobby of astronomy.
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Sky & Telescope @skyandtelescope.bsky.social · 18h
In this month’s episode, start with one of the year’s best meteor showers, then spend some time with Jupiter, and check out a mythical queen and hunter who have ego problems. So bundle up, grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour.
skyandtelescope.org/observing/as...
January Podcast: Jupiter and Orion
In this month’s episode, start with one of the year’s best meteor showers, then spend some time with Jupiter, and check out a mythical queen and hunter who have ego problems. So bundle up, grab your c...
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Jupiter is at opposition tonight, opposite the Sun as seen from Earth; exactly so 3 a.m. EST Saturday morning the 10th (8h UT Jan 10th). Jupiter rises at sunset and blazes in Gemini near Pollux and Castor all night.
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This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 9 – 18
Jupiter is at opposition. Evenings are moonless, and the winter Milky Way arches high over your world. Betelgeuse stands over Sirius.
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January 9, 2026 at 9:48 PM
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Astronomers discovered a cloud of hydrogen gas that’s devoid of stars. Held together by an invisible halo of dark matter, the starless cloud may elucidate its nature.
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Starless Gas Cloud Might Harbor Dark Matter
Astronomers discovered a cloud of hydrogen gas that’s devoid of stars. Held together by an invisible halo of dark matter, the starless cloud may elucidate its nature.
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January 9, 2026 at 9:47 PM
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Observers across America may witness a special transit and shadow event of Jupiter’s moon on opposition day.
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An extremely rare Callisto event on January 10th
Observers across America may witness a special transit and shadow event of Jupiter’s moon on opposition day.
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January 9, 2026 at 9:47 PM
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Jupiter’s having a special moment! Don’t miss the giant planet at its best when it reaches opposition this week.
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Big and Bright, Jupiter Beckons in January
Jupiter's having a special moment! Don't miss the giant planet at its best when it reaches opposition this week.
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January 9, 2026 at 9:45 PM
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Astronomers have measured the mass of a free-floating planet for the first time. Comparable to Saturn, it’s surprisingly massive for such rogue worlds.
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Rogue Saturn Discovered Floating Through the Milky Way
Astronomers have measured the mass of a free-floating planet for the first time. Comparable to Saturn, it’s surprisingly massive for such worlds.
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January 9, 2026 at 9:34 PM
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Many less massive galaxies appear to lack something astronomers thought was ubiquitous: a central, supermassive black hole.
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Not Every Galaxy Has a Central Black Hole
Many less massive galaxies appear to lack something astronomers thought was ubiquitous: a central, supermassive black hole.
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January 9, 2026 at 9:32 PM
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The Quadrantids and Eta Aquariids will have Moon trouble in 2026, but the beloved Perseids and Geminids should be glorious.
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The Best Meteor Showers in 2026
The Quadrantid and Eta Aquariid meteor showers will have Moon trouble in 2026, but the beloved Perseids and Geminids should be glorious.
skyandtelescope.org
January 9, 2026 at 9:16 PM
skyandtelescope.bsky.social
In this month’s episode, start with one of the year’s best meteor showers, then spend some time with Jupiter, and check out a mythical queen and hunter who have ego problems. So bundle up, grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour.
skyandtelescope.org/observing/as...
January Podcast: Jupiter and Orion
In this month’s episode, start with one of the year’s best meteor showers, then spend some time with Jupiter, and check out a mythical queen and hunter who have ego problems. So bundle up, grab your c...
skyandtelescope.org
January 9, 2026 at 9:15 PM
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Astronomers have discovered a bridge of gas and dust between two protostars, the signature of a close encounter 15,000 years ago.
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Passing Baby Stars Lock Arms in Rare Astronomical Find
Astronomers have discovered a bridge of gas and dust between two protostars, the signature of a close encounter 15,000 years ago.
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January 9, 2026 at 9:14 PM
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The highlights of spaceflight in 2025 have included missions to explore the Moon, Mars, and the Sun — and more is coming in the New Year.
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Spaceflight for Astronomy — A Look Back and Ahead
The highlights of spaceflight in 2025 have included missions to explore the Moon, Mars, and the Sun — and more is coming in the New Year.
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January 9, 2026 at 9:14 PM
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Astronomers are trying to determine if they’ve witnessed a complex stellar explosion or a relatively ordinary supernova.
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Did Astronomers See a Star Explode Twice?
Astronomers are trying to determine if they've witnessed a complex stellar explosion or a relatively ordinary supernova.
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January 9, 2026 at 9:13 PM
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Waves of recent star formation have made Orion winter’s most scintillating constellation. You can see how it all came to be.
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Explore Orion's Massive New Stars with Binoculars
Waves of recent star formation have made Orion winter's most scintillating constellation. You can see how it all came to be.
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January 9, 2026 at 9:13 PM
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Discovered by amateur astronomers, a mysterious arc of gas might be the ghostly remains of a star shedding its outer layers. However, astronomers haven’t reached a consensus yet.
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Glowing Arc by Andromeda Might Be Remnants of a Dying Star
Discovered by amateur astronomers, a mysterious arc of gas might be the ghostly remains of a star shedding its outer layers.
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January 9, 2026 at 9:12 PM
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We greet the winter solstice. Jupiter nears opposition. Will the two Dog Stars balance for you? And meet the House in the Hyades.
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#astronomy #solstice #jupiter #hyades
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 19 – 28
We greet the winter solstice. Jupiter nears opposition. Will the two Dog Stars balance for you? And meet the House in the Hyades.
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December 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM
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There could be liquid water trapped under the southern polar cap of Mars. But new observations suggest otherwise.
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#astronomy #mars #water #martianwater
New Radar Data Chills Prospects of a Subglacial Lake on Mars
There could be liquid water trapped under the southern polar cap of Mars. But new observations suggest otherwise.
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December 19, 2025 at 4:52 PM
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Where does the Sun end and the solar wind begin? Scientists have mapped the dynamic magnetic edge that bounds our star.
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#astronomy #sun #solarwind #star
Scientists Map the Sun’s Magnetic “Surface”
Where does the Sun end and the solar wind begin? Scientists have mapped the dynamic magnetic edge that bounds our star.
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December 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
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NASA is working to restore communications with its MAVEN Mars Orbiter mission.
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#astronomy #nasa #marsmission #marsorbiter #mars
Mars MAVEN Mission May Be Lost in Space
NASA is working to restore communications with its MAVEN orbiter Mars, which lost contact earlier this month.
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December 19, 2025 at 4:50 PM
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The Red Spot transits about every 9 hours 56 minutes. But not quite like clockwork! It drifts east or west in Jupiter's atmosphere irregularly. A change often becomes detectable to visual transit timers over a span of some months.
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#astronomy #stargazing
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 12 – 21
Big Jupiter now rises in the east-southeast less than an hour after dark. It's high in sharp telescopic viewing by about 10 p.m.
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December 15, 2025 at 4:53 PM
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James Webb Space Telescope observations suggest the planet might have an atmosphere — but more data are needed to rule out a bare rock scenario.
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#astronomy #JWST #exoplanets #exoplanetatmosphere
Webb’s First Look at TRAPPIST-1e Hints at a Titan-like Atmosphere
James Webb Space Telescope observations suggest the planet might have an atmosphere — but more data are needed to rule out a bare rock.
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December 15, 2025 at 4:51 PM
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Two winter stars left their mark long ago on wispy gas clouds near the solar system. Their passage might even have influenced life on Earth.
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#astronomy #stars #cosmology
Two Stars’ Swept by the Solar System 4.5 million Years Ago
Two winter stars left their mark long ago on wispy gas clouds near the solar system. Their passage might even have influenced life on Earth.
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December 15, 2025 at 4:51 PM
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Astronomers have discovered one of the largest structures in the universe — and the galaxies within it — spinning like a fairground teacup ride.
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#astronomy #galaxy #cosmology
Galaxies Spin on Vast Filament Like a Teacup Ride
Astronomers have discovered one of the largest structures in the universe — and the galaxies within it — spinning like a fairground teacup ride.
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December 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM
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A new analysis of the Solar Orbiter’s unique views of the Sun’s poles shows how a “conveyor belt” moves within our nearest star.
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#astronomy #solarorbiter #sun
The Sun's Poles Are Different Than We Expected
A new analysis of the Solar Orbiter's unique views of the Sun's poles shows how a "conveyor belt" moves within our nearest star.
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December 15, 2025 at 4:49 PM
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A gift idea for the stubborn winter stargazer on your holiday list (especially if it’s you)
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#astronomy #stargazing #winter
The Gift of Warmth (and Whimsy)
Here's an idea to provide warmth and whimsy to the stubborn winter stargazer on your holiday list (especially if it's you!)
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December 5, 2025 at 5:07 PM
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The Moon, waning away from full, groups up with Jupiter, Castor and Pollux on two nights. Later in the week the Geminid meteor shower comes into full bloom.
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#astronomy #stargazing #moon #lunargazing #moonwatch #jupiter #gemini
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 5 – 14
The Moon, waning away from full, groups up with Jupiter, Castor and Pollux. Later in the week, the Geminid meteors come into full bloom.
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December 5, 2025 at 3:12 PM
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A new analysis of the Solar Orbiter’s unique views of the Sun’s poles shows how a “conveyor belt” moves within our nearest star.
skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne...
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#astronomy #solarorbiter #sun #solarobserving
The Sun's Poles Are Different Than We Expected
A new analysis of the Solar Orbiter's unique views of the Sun's poles shows how a "conveyor belt" moves within our nearest star.
skyandtelescope.org
December 5, 2025 at 3:11 PM