Observatories
The Carina Nebula. Seen With and Without Adaptive Optics
Ever wonder how modern astronomical observatories take such clear images of distant objects? Advances in mirror design have allowed for…
Climate Change is Making the Atmosphere Worse for Astronomy
Modern astronomical telescopes are extraordinarly powerful. And we keep making them more powerful. With telescopes like the Extremely Large Telescope…
It Looks Like Firefighters Saved Mt. Wilson Observatory
Thanks to the heroic efforts of firefighters, the Mt. Wilson Observatory is now safe from the California wildfires raging through…
Vera Rubin’s Monster 3200-Megapixel Camera Takes its First Picture (in the Lab)
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has taken another step towards first light, projected for some time in 2022. Its enormous…
Gamma Rays Detected Coming From the Crab Nebula
Most people with any interest in astronomy know about the Crab Nebula. It's a supernova remnant in the constellation Taurus,…
WFIRST Will be Named After Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s First Chief Astronomer
In honor of NASA's first Chief Astronomer and the "mother of Hubble," the WFIRST has been officially named the Nancy…
James Webb is Fully Stowed Into its Launch Configuration
We're inching closer and closer to the James Webb Space Telescope's (JWST) launch date of March 30th, 2021, (or maybe…
Japan Suspends its Funding for the 30-Meter Telescope
Japan has suspended its funding contribution to the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) in Hawaii. An international consortium is behind…
WFIRST Passes an Important Milestone, it’s Time to Begin Development and Testing
Soon, astronomers and astrophysicists will have more observing power than they know what to do with. Not only will the…
China’s 500-Meter FAST Radio Telescope is Now Operational
The world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope is officially open for business according to Xinhua, China's official state-run media.…