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Scientists trace latest interstellar comet's home to a cold, isolated corner of the Milky Way

Scientists trace latest interstellar comet's home to a cold, isolated corner of the Milky Way

A new study suggests that the comet that rambled past us from another star last year likely originated in a cold, isolated corner of the galaxy that had yet to gel into its own solar system
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NASA's Voyager 1 to Become First Human-Made Object to Travel One Full Light-Day from Earth

NASA's Voyager 1 to Become First Human-Made Object to Travel One Full Light-Day from Earth

NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft is set to become the first human-made object to travel a full light-day from Earth by January 28, 2027. Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 was initially tasked with exploring the outer planets, but it has since surpassed its original mission, venturing into interstellar space. Currently, the spacecraft is over 166 Astronomical Units (AU) away from Earth, traveling at a speed of approximately 61,195 km/h. A light-day, the distance light travels in 24 hours, is about 25.9 billion kilometers. Voyager 1 is expected to reach this milestone in late 2026, marking a significant achievement in space exploration. Despite its distance, it still communicates with Earth, although signals take over 23 hours to reach the spacecraft.
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Scientists Identify Interstellar Comet's Origin in Remote Milky Way Region

Scientists Identify Interstellar Comet's Origin in Remote Milky Way Region

Astronomers have traced the origins of Comet 3I/Atlas, an interstellar visitor, to a cold and isolated part of the Milky Way. This comet, which passed through our solar system last year, is believed to be up to 11 billion years old, making it potentially older than the sun. Researchers from the University of Michigan, using the ALMA observatory in Chile, discovered high levels of deuterium in the comet's water, indicating its formation in a much colder environment than our solar system. The comet was observed by NASA and the European Space Agency as it passed Mars and made its closest approach to Earth in December. It is now moving past Jupiter, continuing its journey out of the solar system.
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NASA's DGCE SIG Seminar Explores Cosmic Origins and UV Imaging for HWO

NASA's DGCE SIG Seminar Explores Cosmic Origins and UV Imaging for HWO

NASA's Diffuse Gas in Cosmic Ecosystems (DGCE) Special Interest Group (SIG) is hosting a seminar on April 23, 2026, focusing on potential science cases and instrument goals for ultraviolet (UV) imaging and spectroscopy with the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). The seminar, led by Kevin France from the University of Colorado, will discuss the scientific framework developed for HWO, which aims to advance the study of galactic ecosystems, exoplanets, and stellar science. The HWO is expected to build on the legacy of the Hubble Space Telescope, offering enhanced capabilities for detecting and characterizing diffuse gas and other cosmic phenomena.
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How STS-31 became a defining Space Shuttle mission

How STS-31 became a defining Space Shuttle mission

The STS-31 mission stands out as a significant milestone in NASA's Space Shuttle program. Launched on April 24, 1990, aboard the Space Shuttle Disc...
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Lyrid Meteor Shower 2026 Captivates Skywatchers with Stunning Displays

Lyrid Meteor Shower 2026 Captivates Skywatchers with Stunning Displays

The Lyrid Meteor Shower of 2026 has provided a spectacular celestial show, captivating observers with its bright meteors and coinciding auroral displays. Photographers and astronomers have captured stunning images of meteors streaking across the sky, often set against the backdrop of green and blue auroras. Notably, NASA astronaut Jessica Meir photographed a Lyrid meteor from the International Space Station, showcasing the meteor's path above Earth's glowing horizon. The event has been widely documented, with long-exposure photography techniques highlighting the speed and intensity of the meteors as they flash across the night sky.
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Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks with Stunning Night Sky Display

Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks with Stunning Night Sky Display

The Lyrid meteor shower is reaching its peak, offering a spectacular display of shooting stars. This annual event, active since April 16, will peak on April 22 and early the following morning. The Lyrids, known for their bright fireballs, are debris from Comet Thatcher, which last visited the solar system in 1861. Observers in the Northern Hemisphere can expect to see 10-20 meteors per hour under dark, moonless skies. The best viewing conditions are away from city lights, with eyes adjusted to the dark for optimal meteor spotting.
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Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks, Offering Spectacular Night Sky Display

Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks, Offering Spectacular Night Sky Display

Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks, Offering Spectacular Night Sky Display
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NASA Unveils Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, Set for 2026 Launch

NASA Unveils Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, Set for 2026 Launch

NASA is set to unveil the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a new flagship observatory designed to explore the cosmos and solve some of the universe's biggest mysteries. The telescope, named after NASA's first chief astronomer, has been fully assembled at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. It is scheduled to be shipped to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where it will be prepared for launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket as early as fall 2026. The Roman telescope will operate nearly 1 million miles from Earth, working in tandem with the James Webb and Hubble space telescopes. It is equipped with advanced instruments to make infrared observations and is expected to discover thousands of new exoplanets using gravitational microlensing.
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Vancouver Residents Witness Lyrid Meteor Shower and Rare Celestial Events

Vancouver Residents Witness Lyrid Meteor Shower and Rare Celestial Events

Vancouver Residents Witness Lyrid Meteor Shower and Rare Celestial Events
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Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight with Optimal Viewing Conditions

Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight with Optimal Viewing Conditions

The Lyrid meteor shower is set to peak tonight, offering skywatchers the opportunity to witness up to 20 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. The shower, which has been active since April 14, will reach its peak in the early hours of April 22. The Lyrids are known for their bright fireballs and originate from the debris of Comet Thatcher, which last approached Earth in 1861. The best viewing conditions are expected after midnight when the moon sets, leaving the sky dark and optimal for meteor watching. Observers are advised to look towards the northeastern sky, slightly away from the constellation Lyra, to catch the longest and brightest meteor trails.
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Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight: A Celestial Spectacle

Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight: A Celestial Spectacle

The Lyrid meteor shower is set to peak tonight, providing a dazzling display of shooting stars. The shower, which has been active since April 14, will reach its peak in the early hours of April 22. Observers can expect to see up to 20 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. The best viewing time is after midnight when the moon sets, leaving the sky dark and optimal for meteor watching. Skywatchers are advised to find a dark location away from city lights, allow their eyes to adjust, and look towards the northeastern sky for the best view.