pioneer 10 at jupiter
research balloon prepares to launch from antarctica
an x-flare erupts from the sun
the "cannonball pulsar" streaks away from the stellar explosion in which it was born

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StarDate Radio: December 6 — Antimatter

A banana is a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and many other goodies. It’s also a source of antimatter....More »

Stargazing: December 5

The shortest day of the year is the winter solstice, December 21. Yet the year’s earliest sunsets came a few...More »

StarDate Radio: December 5 — Hot DOGs

Astronomers recently found a sizzling “hot dog” in space. It’s not a Nathan’s dog from Coney Island, or a Pink’s...More »

StarDate Radio: December 4 — Survivor

A planet that orbits a star in the Little Bear has had a traumatic few million years. It either survived...More »

Stargazing: December 4

Ursa Minor, the little bear, is in the north at nightfall. Some of its stars form the Little Dipper. The...More »

StarDate Radio: December 3 — First at Jupiter

Jupiter is like an old friend these days. We see sharp pictures of its clouds and moons all the time....More »

Stargazing: December 3

Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, is in the east at nightfall. It looks like a brilliant star,...More »

Stargazing: December 2

Regulus, the brightest star of the constellation Leo, is easy to spot the next couple of nights. It is well...More »

StarDate Radio: December 2 — Moon and Regulus

Regulus is one of the brightest lights in the night sky. But just how bright depends on how you look...More »

Stargazing: December 1

Venus, the brilliant Morning Star, will stand almost side by side with Spica, the brightest star of Virgo, at first...More »

StarDate Radio: December 1 — GUSTO

Astronomers who study the material between the stars are ready to “go for the gusto.” They’re planning to launch a...More »

Stargazing: November 30

A couple of bright alignments greet early risers tomorrow. The Moon and the twins of Gemini are high in the...More »

StarDate Radio: November 30 — Morning Glories

A couple of bright alignments greet early risers tomorrow. The Moon and the twins of Gemini are high in the...More »

Current Magazine

Cover November/December 2023 issue

Satellites everywhere, volunteering for science, and giants in the night

2023 Sky Almanac

This year marks the golden anniversary of StarDate magazine, so we’re celebrating by describing the progress and discoveries of the past 50 years of astronomy, along with some tidbits about our own history.

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