Space

Private companies race to land uncrewed mission on the moon

5:51pm January 06, 2024

On Monday, an unmanned lunar lander will launch from Cape Canaveral. The launch marks a new chapter in the space race, as private companies try to beat each other to the lunar surface.

The images taken by Voyager 2 when it passed Neptune in 1989 were originally processed to better reveal its distinctive features, but as a result they made the planet look too blue.

Science

Don't look so blue, Neptune: Now astronomers know this planet's true color

4:05pm January 05, 2024

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Neptune has long been depicted as a deeper, darker blue than its fellow ice giant Uranus, but a new study shows that both are a similar shade of light greenish blue.

An illustration of axial precession, which takes 26,000 years to complete.

Science

Checking your 2024 horoscope? Astronomy explains why your sign might have changed

5:00am December 31, 2023

by Regina G. Barber

Our view of the constellations has changed since they were first mapped thousands of years ago. That new perspective could also mess with your astrological horoscope in the new year.

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World News

An ancient celestial map recently found in Italy includes an unknown star

6:14pm December 28, 2023

Researchers at Italy's National Institute for Astrophysics discovered a celestial map believed to be from between 1800 to 400 BC. Scientists say there's one star on it that doesn't match our sky.

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This year in science: AI, James Webb Space Telescope research and climate change

6:14pm December 28, 2023

NPR's Short Wave hosts Geoff Brumfiel and Regina Barber wrap up of the year in AI, James Webb Space Telescope research and climate change.

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Exploding rockets and asteroid findings: This year in space news

5:26pm December 26, 2023

by Geoff Brumfiel

From Elon's giant rocket explosions to asteroid sample returns, we round up the news from a big year off-world.

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Science

What astronomers are learning from the James Webb Space Telescope

8:19am December 26, 2023

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

The telescope has revealed galaxies, stars and black holes that formed in the early universe. After its first full year of science operations, astronomers have much to ponder.

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Martin Luther King Jr. waves to supporters on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Activists marked 60 years since the march in 2023.

2023 was a year of big anniversaries

6:00am December 23, 2023

by James Doubek

In 2023, we marked 20 years since the Iraq War, 50 years since the birth of hip-hop, and 60 years since the JFK assassination. Here's a roundup of historical events we wrote about over the past year.

On Yalda night, the Iranian winter solstice tradition, observers gather with family and read classic poetry aloud to greet the returning sun.

It's the winter solstice. Here are 5 ways people celebrate the return of light

2:56pm December 21, 2023

by Diba Mohtasham

Winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and it falls at exactly 10:27 p.m. ET on Thursday in the Northern Hemisphere. Here are five ways it's celebrated around the world.

Local resident Wayne Cox and friend Irma Parrilla, visiting from Orlando, brave gusty winds and drizzling rain to visit Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, Fla., on Friday.

National

After pummeling Florida, a strengthening storm system is drenching the Atlantic coast

8:45pm December 17, 2023

by Juliana Kim

The storm is dumping heavy rain on the Carolinas with the potential for gusty winds and possible tornadoes.