X-Ray Glow Evidence of Local Hot Bubble
Scientists have confirmed that the soft X-ray glow permeating the sky has two sources: one inside the solar system, one outside.

Fermi Finds “Transformer” Pulsar
A recent study using the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed a pulsar flopping back and forth in a rare transitional phase.

Novae Surprise with Gamma Rays
Astronomers have detected gamma-ray emission from three classical novae, an unexpected discovery that has left them perplexed.

OBSERVING HIGHLIGHTS

Earth’s Shadow Creeps Up on Us Every Night
The next time you’re out watching a sunset, turn around and relish the mighty shadow of Earth looming just behind your back.

This Week’s Sky at a Glance, August 1 – 9
Watch the Moon dance with bright stars and planets as it parades across the summer sky.

Tour August’s Sky: Sagittarius and Scorpius
Late summer offers the Teapot of Sagittarius and the nearby arc of the Scorpion’s Tail in the evening, the Perseid meteor shower, and a spectacular pairing of Venus and Jupiter before dawn.