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Supermoon: What It Really Is, Why It Happens, and When to Catch the Next One

A supermoon is a full moon that lines up with the Moon's closest approach to Earth, making it look a little bigger and noticeably brighter than an ordinary full moon. At its best, a supermoon can appear up to 14% larger and about 30%...

What Is a Constellation? A Beginner’s Guide to the Sky’s 88 Star Patterns

A constellation is a group of stars that forms a recognizable pattern in the night sky, one we've given a name, usually after a mythological figure, animal, or object. There are 88 of them officially recognized, and together they map out the entire sky....
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When Will the Earth End: The Science Behind Our Planet’s Distant Future

The Short Answer The Earth isn't ending any time soon. There's no scientifically predicted doomsday...

How Fast Does the Earth Spin: The Dizzying Speed You Never Feel

The Short Answer At the equator, the Earth spins at roughly 1,670 kilometres per hour,...

Aurora Australis: The Southern Lights, Nature’s Glowing Show at the Bottom of the World

Almost everyone has seen photos of the Northern Lights, those rippling green curtains that...

How to See the Northern Lights: Your Complete Guide to Catching the Aurora in 2026

Seeing the northern lights in person is one of those experiences that reorganizes your...

What the Apollo Moon Rocks Actually Told Us

One of the very first things Neil Armstrong did after climbing down the ladder...

How Old is the Oldest Thing on the Planet from Our Solar System?

Ever look up at the night sky and wonder what's actually the oldest thing...

What’s So Special About Our Moon? Discovering Its Impact and Diameter

Its easy to take the Moon for granted. It's up there almost every night,...

Solar Eclipses Explained: What Are They, and How Often Does an Eclipse of the Sun Occur?

If you were anywhere in the path of totality back in April 2024, theres...

The Mystery of the Ring Around the Moon: What Causes This Winter Phenomenon?

Step outside on a cold, clear night sometime this winter and look up. If...

Astronomers Discover Earth’s Nearest Black Hole

For most of human history, black holes felt like something that only existed in...

What Would Happen if the Earth Stopped Spinning?

Right now, as you sit comfortably on your couch reading this on your phone...

Where Did the Term “Right Ascension” Originate, and Why Not Just Call It “Ascension”?

If you've ever tried picking up a telescope, downloading a stargazing app, or looking...

Latest articles

Supermoon: What It Really Is, Why It Happens, and When to Catch the Next One

A supermoon is a full moon that lines up with the Moon's closest approach...

What Is a Constellation? A Beginner’s Guide to the Sky’s 88 Star Patterns

A constellation is a group of stars that forms a recognizable pattern in the...

How Many Planets Are There? The Real Answer Is Bigger Than Eight

There are eight planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn,...

What Is a Galaxy? A Simple Guide to the Great Islands of Stars

A galaxy is an enormous collection of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter, all...