Phil Plait

Bad Astronomy

Surreal Arctic time lapse

NASA's Lucy probe will follow a looping path to visit seven different Trojan asteroids — ancient, mysterious objects that share an orbit with Jupiter. (Credit: SwRI)

NASA's Lucy probe will follow a looping path to visit seven different Trojan asteroids — ancient objects that share an orbit with Jupiter. (Credit: SWRI)

Whatever craziness may be happening on Earth, the coming year promises to be a spectacular one across the solar system.

Space: 2021

Could the Star of Bethlehem have been caused by a "great conjunction" of the bright planets Venus and Jupiter? On June 17, 2 B.C., the planets had come so close they would have almost appeared as one object, similar to the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 2020. (Credit: Ron Miller/Astronomy magazine)

star of Bethlehem

For centuries, scholars have suggested the Star of Bethlehem may have actually been a "great conjunction" of bright planets.

The Star of Bethlehem: Can Science Explain What it Really Was?

On December 21, Jupiter and Saturn will get so close in the sky that they will almost appear to merge with one another. Such a conjunction has not occurred in December for some 800 years. (Credit: Astronomy: Roen Kelly)

Jupiter and Saturn - Great conjunction 2020

On December 21, Jupiter and Saturn will appear closer in Earth’s night sky than they have since 1226 A.D. You can watch the event live here, courtesy of Lowell Observatory. 

Jupiter and Saturn Will Form Rare "Christmas Star" on Winter Solstice

almanacs old farmers collage display - shutterstock

For centuries, almanacs have served as valuable scientific documents that helped track heavenly bodies, the tides, planting seasons and more. But how good are they at predicting the weather?

The History of the Old Farmer's Almanac and Why Its Popularity Endures

Supernova RCW 86, the oldest known supernova in recorded history, was seen by Chinese astronomers in 185 A.D. (Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO & ESA; Infared: NASA/JPL-Caltech/B. Williams (NCSU))

Supernova RCW 86

Supernova 1987A was temporarily visible to the naked eye just a few decades ago. But ancient astronomers also witnessed a number of these "guest stars" pop up in our night sky.

7 Naked-Eye Supernovae Throughout Human History

The M51 Whirpool Galaxy (Credit: NASA, ESA, S. Beckwith/STScI and the Hubble Heritage Team/STScI/AURA)

The M51 Whirpool Galaxy - NASA

From studying light pollution to growing tomato seeds that have flown in orbit, these citizen science projects can help you and your kids enjoy the cosmos at home. 

Surreal Arctic time lapse

Newsletter