2013
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A Possible Naked-eye Comet in March
Feb. 6, 2013
A comet falling in from the distant reaches of the solar system could become a naked-eye object in early March. This is Comet Pan-STARRS's first visit to the inner solar system, so surprises are possible as its virgin ices are exposed to intense solar heating for the first time.
Comet of the Century?
Jan. 18, 2013
Astronomers are keeping a close eye on newly-discovered Comet ISON, which could become visible in broad daylight later this year when it skims through the atmosphere of the sun.
Curiosity Drills into Mars
Feb. 9, 2013
In a milestone accomplishment, NASA's Curiosity rover has drilled into a rock on Mars and gathered material from its interior. This is the first time any robot has drilled into a rock to collect a sample on Mars.
NASA Finds Long-Term Climate Warming Trend
Jan. 15, 2013
NASA scientists say 2012 was the ninth warmest of any year since 1880, continuing a long-term trend of rising global temperatures. With the exception of 1998, the nine warmest years in the 132-year record all have occurred since 2000, with 2010 and 2005 ranking as the hottest years on record.
NASA to Broadcast Asteroid Flyby of Earth
Feb. 13, 2013
Starting at 2 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 15, NASA Television will provide commentary and images of near-Earth asteroid 2012 DA14 as it flies safely past Earth closer than many artificial satellites.
Possible Seismic Activity on Asteroid 2012 DA14
Feb. 14, 2013
Some researchers believe that near-Earth asteroid 2012 DA14 might experience seismic activity when it flies through Earth's gravitational field on Feb. 15th.
Record Setting Asteroid Flyby
Jan. 28, 2013
On Feb. 15th an asteroid about half the size of a football field will fly past Earth closer than many man-made satellites. Since regular sky surveys began in the 1990s, astronomers have never seen an object so big come so close to our planet.
See Mercury at Sunset
Feb. 8, 2013
The planet Mercury is about to make its best apparition of the year for backyard sky watchers. Look west at sunset for a piercing pink planet surrounded by twilight blue.
Solar Variability and Terrestrial Climate
Jan. 8, 2013
A new report issued by the National Research Council (NRC), "The Effects of Solar Variability on Earth's Climate," lays out some of the surprisingly complex ways that solar activity can make itself felt on our planet.
The UN Braces for Stormy Space Weather
Feb. 13, 2013
Forecasters say solar maximum is due in 2013. To prepare, the UN is organizing an international response to stormy space weather.