Possible Planet Spotted Around Alpha Centauri A by NASA’s James Webb Telescope

Astronomers found strong evidence that a gassy Jupiter-size world is orbiting Alpha Centauri A, one of three stars in the solar system closest to our own.

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Vera Rubin Telescope Quickly Found 1,200 New Asteroids

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is expected to find millions of unknown objects in our solar system, and perhaps even a mysterious Planet Nine.

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Traveling the Cosmos With Carter Emmart, One Last Time

For nearly three decades he has created mesmerizing planetarium shows at the American Museum of Natural History. But other galaxies await.

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Scientific Dreams in the Balance

Research breakthroughs are often sagas of passion, curiosity and sacrifice. If Trump’s proposed budget cuts for 2026 are enacted, many such journeys may never get started.

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Scientists Say They’ve Found a Dwarf Planet Very Far From the Sun

The small world was found during a search for the hypothetical Planet Nine, and astronomers say the next time it will reach its closest point to the sun is in the year 26186.

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There’s Probably No Life on K2-18b After All, Three Studies Conclude

In April, astronomers said they had detected a possible signature of life on the exoplanet K2-18b. Now, three independent analyses discount the evidence.

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At the American Museum of Natural History, a Look to Outer Space

Stranded astronauts and celebrity space tourism have piqued interest in space — and a photography exhibition in the museum is making the most of it.

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Jonathan McDowell on Retiring From Harvard and Leaving the U.S.

Jonathan McDowell is retiring from studying the universe. But he’s ramping up efforts to chronicle humanity’s exploration of space.

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Gaia to Shut Down After More Than a Decade of Mapping the Milky Way

After more than a decade of mapping the stars, the European spacecraft will shut down on Thursday. But its legacy lives on.

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Mauna Loa Observatory’s Lease May End Because of NOAA Cuts

NOAA, the nation’s leading climate science agency, may lose dozens of offices, including one that is key to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.

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