25 articles
2025 has been a banner year for astronomy, with breakthroughs ranging from averted asteroid threats to the first images from the Rubin Observatory and tantalizing hints of life on exoplanet K2-18b. The year's top discovery was the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, offering unique insights into alien solar systems.
New analysis of asteroid light curves is revealing unprecedented details about their rotation, shape, composition, and density. This technique allows scientists to understand these celestial bodies without direct contact, offering vital insights for planetary defense and understanding solar system origins.
Scientists estimate there are at least two trillion galaxies in the observable universe. This staggering number is derived not by direct counting, but by sampling small regions of the sky, extrapolating based on the universe's age and expansion, and accounting for observational limitations.
Our current estimates place the number of galaxies in the observable universe at a staggering two trillion. Counting them individually, even at one per second, would take an immense 62,000 years, highlighting the vastness of space.
Six planets, including Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter, will be visible in the night sky during a rare alignment from late February to early March 2026. Telescopes will reveal Uranus and Neptune, offering a stunning celestial parade.
