Space
Learn about the latest astronomy news and discoveries around humanity’s endeavor beyond the final frontier.
How and where to see this week's annular "ring of fire" solar eclipse
On October 14, nature will present us with a rare celestial spectacle: an annular solar eclipse. This enthralling occurrence will light up the sky, transforming the sun into a dazzling "ring of fire." While the will mostly take place over regions of the western United States, and Central and South Read More...
Astronomers demand disco balls for science: A shiny spin on solar observation
It’s true that disco balls have had their place in space for decades now. However, some astronomers argue in a new article that disco balls should also be installed in colleges and scientific institutes. Disco balls, as a group of Scandinavian astronomers put it in their yet-to-be-peer-reviewed Read More...
Meet Susan Murabana, the astronomer bringing the cosmos to Kenyan youth
A celestial display unfolds beneath the velvety African night sky, amidst the peace of Kenya's isolated Samburu county. It’s 1:30 AM in mid-August, and 50 enthralled individuals lie on the dry riverbed, their eyes turned heavenwards, entranced by the stars. The Milky Way arcs gracefully across Read More...
Appreciate the magic of June and celebrate Nature's summer spectacles
The arrival of June signals the return of our favorite warm-weather activities. BBQs, sunscreen, fire pits, camping, gardening, and a plethora of other sense-awakening activities are finally back in full swing after a long winter's hibernation. This enchanted month is a natural spectacle where the Read More...
Hubble takes beautiful image of galaxies "dancing"
The Hubble Space Telescope ventured into space over three decades ago in 1990, and has observed around 50,000 celestial bodies to date. During this time, the incredible machine fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. Some of these achievements include its recent sighting of the Read More...
NASA Artemis I makes triumphant return from the moon
NASA's new multibillion-dollar spacecraft returned from the moon this past weekend, bringing the agency closer to returning astronauts to the moon by 2025. The Artemis program completed phase one when the Orion capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off Baja California at 9:40 in the Read More...
Revel at the most detailed image of our universe yet
Here at The Optimist Daily, we have been sharing every exciting step of the James Webb Telescope’s journey, from its long-awaited launch, to when it reached its final destination. Now the machine has delivered the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe yet! Known as Read More...
The Gaia telescope has transformed the science of asteroids
There are still so many mysteries of our universe to unveil. Incredible machines such as the James Webb Space Telescope and NASA’s Perseverance rover are helping us slowly but surely put the whole cosmic picture together. Another impressive feat of humankind's efforts in space is the European Read More...
Astronomers discover nearby multi-planet system
Astronomers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have discovered a multi-planet system in our own galactic neighborhood. It is only 10 parsecs, or 33 lightyears, away from our own solar system, making it one of the closest systems to our own. Discoverers dubbed the small and cool Read More...
NASA assembles team to investigate UFO sightings
While the Pentagon has confirmed the sightings of UFOs over the last couple of years, these are still unexplained. In response, NASA is forming its own independent team for the purpose of studying UFOs. The confirmed UFO sightings certainly have many scientists and officials boggled, but there Read More...