AstroNexus
Photo
Astronomy Picture of the Day RSS Feed
APOD: 2026 January 6 – Jupiters Clouds in High Definition from Juno
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/JupiterClouds_JunoThomopoulos_1080.jpg APOD: 2026 January 6 – Jupiters Clouds in High Definition from Juno How complex is Jupiter?
NASA's Juno mission to Jupiter is finding the Jovian giant to be more complicated than expected.
Jupiter's magnetic field has been discovered to be much different from our Earth's simple dipole field, showing several poles embedded in a complicated network
more convoluted in the north than the south.
Further, Juno's radio measurements show that Jupiter's atmosphere shows structure well below the upper cloud deck --
even hundreds of kilometers deep. Jupiter's newfound complexity is evident also in southern clouds,
as shown in the texture and color enhanced featured image taken last month.
There, planet-circling zones and belts that dominate near the equator decay into a complex miasma of continent-sized storm swirls. Juno continues in its looping elliptical orbit, swooping near the huge planet
every month and exploring a slightly different sector each time around.
APOD: 2026 January 6 – Jupiters Clouds in High Definition from Juno
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/JupiterClouds_JunoThomopoulos_1080.jpg APOD: 2026 January 6 – Jupiters Clouds in High Definition from Juno How complex is Jupiter?
NASA's Juno mission to Jupiter is finding the Jovian giant to be more complicated than expected.
Jupiter's magnetic field has been discovered to be much different from our Earth's simple dipole field, showing several poles embedded in a complicated network
more convoluted in the north than the south.
Further, Juno's radio measurements show that Jupiter's atmosphere shows structure well below the upper cloud deck --
even hundreds of kilometers deep. Jupiter's newfound complexity is evident also in southern clouds,
as shown in the texture and color enhanced featured image taken last month.
There, planet-circling zones and belts that dominate near the equator decay into a complex miasma of continent-sized storm swirls. Juno continues in its looping elliptical orbit, swooping near the huge planet
every month and exploring a slightly different sector each time around.
Astronomy & Observing News – Sky & Telescope
Rogue Saturn Discovered Floating Through the Milky Way
Astronomers have measured the mass of a free-floating planet for the first time. Comparable to Saturn, it’s surprisingly massive for such rogue worlds.
The post Rogue Saturn Discovered Floating Through the Milky Way appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Rogue Saturn Discovered Floating Through the Milky Way
Astronomers have measured the mass of a free-floating planet for the first time. Comparable to Saturn, it’s surprisingly massive for such rogue worlds.
The post Rogue Saturn Discovered Floating Through the Milky Way appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Sky & Telescope
Rogue Saturn Discovered Floating Through the Milky Way
Astronomers have measured the mass of a free-floating planet for the first time. Comparable to Saturn, it’s surprisingly massive for such worlds.
APOD: 2026 January 6 – Jupiters Clouds in High Definition from Juno
How complex is Jupiter?
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260106.html
How complex is Jupiter?
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260106.html
AstroNexus
Photo
Astronomy Picture of the Day RSS Feed
APOD: 2026 January 7 – Simeis 147: The Spaghetti Nebula Supernova Remnant
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/Simeis147_Ferritti_960.jpg APOD: 2026 January 7 – Simeis 147: The Spaghetti Nebula Supernova Remnant Its popular nickname is the Spaghetti Nebula.
Officially cataloged as Simeis 147
and Sharpless 2-240, it is easy to get lost
following the looping and twisting filaments of this intricate supernova remnant. Seen toward the boundary of the constellations of the Bull
(Taurus)
and the Charioteer
(Auriga),
the impressive gas structure covers nearly 3 degrees on the sky,
equivalent to 6 full moons.
That's about 150 light-years
at the stellar debris cloud's estimated distance of 3,000 light-years.
The supernova remnant has an estimated age of about 40,000 years, meaning light from this
powerful stellar explosion first reached the Earth when woolly mammoths roamed free.
Besides the expanding remnant, this cosmic catastrophe left behind a pulsar,
a fast-spinning neutron star that is the remnant of the original star's core.
The featured image was captured last month from Forca Canapine, Italy.
APOD: 2026 January 7 – Simeis 147: The Spaghetti Nebula Supernova Remnant
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/Simeis147_Ferritti_960.jpg APOD: 2026 January 7 – Simeis 147: The Spaghetti Nebula Supernova Remnant Its popular nickname is the Spaghetti Nebula.
Officially cataloged as Simeis 147
and Sharpless 2-240, it is easy to get lost
following the looping and twisting filaments of this intricate supernova remnant. Seen toward the boundary of the constellations of the Bull
(Taurus)
and the Charioteer
(Auriga),
the impressive gas structure covers nearly 3 degrees on the sky,
equivalent to 6 full moons.
That's about 150 light-years
at the stellar debris cloud's estimated distance of 3,000 light-years.
The supernova remnant has an estimated age of about 40,000 years, meaning light from this
powerful stellar explosion first reached the Earth when woolly mammoths roamed free.
Besides the expanding remnant, this cosmic catastrophe left behind a pulsar,
a fast-spinning neutron star that is the remnant of the original star's core.
The featured image was captured last month from Forca Canapine, Italy.
Astronomy & Observing News – Sky & Telescope
Big and Bright, Jupiter Beckons in January
Jupiter's having a special moment! Don't miss the giant planet at its best when it reaches opposition this week.
The post Big and Bright, Jupiter Beckons in January appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Big and Bright, Jupiter Beckons in January
Jupiter's having a special moment! Don't miss the giant planet at its best when it reaches opposition this week.
The post Big and Bright, Jupiter Beckons in January appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Sky & Telescope
Big and Bright, Jupiter Beckons in January
Jupiter's having a special moment! Don't miss the giant planet at its best when it reaches opposition this week.
Astronomy & Observing News – Sky & Telescope
An extremely rare Callisto event on January 10th
Observers across America may witness a special transit and shadow event of Jupiter’s moon on opposition day.
The post An extremely rare Callisto event on January 10th appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
An extremely rare Callisto event on January 10th
Observers across America may witness a special transit and shadow event of Jupiter’s moon on opposition day.
The post An extremely rare Callisto event on January 10th appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Sky & Telescope
An extremely rare Callisto event on January 10th
Observers across America may witness a special transit and shadow event of Jupiter’s moon on opposition day.
AstroNexus
Photo
Astronomy Picture of the Day RSS Feed
IC 342: Hidden Galaxy in Camelopardalis
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/IC342Low1024.jpg IC 342: Hidden Galaxy in Camelopardalis
Similar in size to large, bright spiral galaxies in our neighborhood, IC 342
is a mere 10 million light-years distant
toward the long-necked, northern constellation Camelopardalis.
A sprawling island universe,
IC 342 would otherwise be a prominent galaxy in our night sky,
but it is hidden from clear view and only
glimpsed through the veil of stars, gas and dust clouds
along the plane of our own Milky Way galaxy.
Even though IC 342's light is dimmed and reddened by intervening cosmic clouds,
this sharp telescopic image
traces the galaxy's own obscuring dust, young star clusters, and
glowing star forming regions along spiral arms that wind far from the galaxy's core.
IC 342 has undergone a recent burst of star formation activity and is
close enough to have influenced
the evolution of the local group
of galaxies and the Milky Way.
➖ Sent by @TheFeedReaderBot ➖
IC 342: Hidden Galaxy in Camelopardalis
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/IC342Low1024.jpg IC 342: Hidden Galaxy in Camelopardalis
Similar in size to large, bright spiral galaxies in our neighborhood, IC 342
is a mere 10 million light-years distant
toward the long-necked, northern constellation Camelopardalis.
A sprawling island universe,
IC 342 would otherwise be a prominent galaxy in our night sky,
but it is hidden from clear view and only
glimpsed through the veil of stars, gas and dust clouds
along the plane of our own Milky Way galaxy.
Even though IC 342's light is dimmed and reddened by intervening cosmic clouds,
this sharp telescopic image
traces the galaxy's own obscuring dust, young star clusters, and
glowing star forming regions along spiral arms that wind far from the galaxy's core.
IC 342 has undergone a recent burst of star formation activity and is
close enough to have influenced
the evolution of the local group
of galaxies and the Milky Way.
➖ Sent by @TheFeedReaderBot ➖
Astronomy & Observing News – Sky & Telescope
Starless Gas Cloud Might Harbor Dark Matter
Astronomers discovered a cloud of hydrogen gas that’s devoid of stars. Held together by an invisible halo of dark matter, the starless cloud may elucidate its nature.
The post Starless Gas Cloud Might Harbor Dark Matter appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Starless Gas Cloud Might Harbor Dark Matter
Astronomers discovered a cloud of hydrogen gas that’s devoid of stars. Held together by an invisible halo of dark matter, the starless cloud may elucidate its nature.
The post Starless Gas Cloud Might Harbor Dark Matter appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Sky & Telescope
Starless Gas Cloud Might Harbor Dark Matter
Astronomers discovered a cloud of hydrogen gas that’s devoid of stars. Held together by an invisible halo of dark matter, the starless cloud may elucidate its nature.
APOD: 2026 January 8 - IC 342: Hidden Galaxy in Camelopardalis
Similar in size to large, bright spiral galaxies in our neighborhood,
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260108.html
Similar in size to large, bright spiral galaxies in our neighborhood,
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260108.html
Astronomy & Observing News – Sky & Telescope
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 9 – 18
Jupiter is at opposition. Evenings are moonless, and the winter Milky Way arches high over the world. Betelgeuse stands over Sirius.
The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 9 – 18 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 9 – 18
Jupiter is at opposition. Evenings are moonless, and the winter Milky Way arches high over the world. Betelgeuse stands over Sirius.
The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 9 – 18 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Sky & Telescope
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 9 – 18
Jupiter is at opposition. Evenings are moonless, and the winter Milky Way arches high over your world. Betelgeuse stands over Sirius.
AstroNexus
Photo
Astronomy Picture of the Day RSS Feed
Ice Halos by Moonlight and Sunlight
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/TransitionsLight1024.jpeg Ice Halos by Moonlight and Sunlight
Both Moon and Sun create beautiful ice halos in planet Earth's sky.
In fact, the two brightest celestial beacons are each surrounded by a complex of ice halos
in these photos of
the sky above Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in France.
The panels were recorded one night (left)
and the following day at the end of December 2025.
Similar ice halos appear
in moonlight and sunlight
because they are all formed through the geometry of flat, hexagonal
ice crystals.
The ice crystals reflect and refract light
as they flutter in the cold atmosphere above the mountain resort.
In the pictures both Moon and Sun are surrounded by
a more commonly seen 22 degree circular halo.
Bright and sometimes colorful patches at the intersections
of the 22 degree circular halos with the indicated parselenic and parhelic arcs are
also known as Moon dogs and Sun dogs.
Ice Halos by Moonlight and Sunlight
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/TransitionsLight1024.jpeg Ice Halos by Moonlight and Sunlight
Both Moon and Sun create beautiful ice halos in planet Earth's sky.
In fact, the two brightest celestial beacons are each surrounded by a complex of ice halos
in these photos of
the sky above Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in France.
The panels were recorded one night (left)
and the following day at the end of December 2025.
Similar ice halos appear
in moonlight and sunlight
because they are all formed through the geometry of flat, hexagonal
ice crystals.
The ice crystals reflect and refract light
as they flutter in the cold atmosphere above the mountain resort.
In the pictures both Moon and Sun are surrounded by
a more commonly seen 22 degree circular halo.
Bright and sometimes colorful patches at the intersections
of the 22 degree circular halos with the indicated parselenic and parhelic arcs are
also known as Moon dogs and Sun dogs.
APOD: 2026 January 9 - Ice Halos by Moonlight and Sunlight
Both Moon and Sun create beautiful
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260109.html
Both Moon and Sun create beautiful
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260109.html
AstroNexus
Photo
Astronomy Picture of the Day RSS Feed
Jupiter with the Great Red Spot
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/jupiter2026.png Jupiter with the Great Red Spot Jupiter reaches
its 2026 opposition today, January 10.
That puts our Solar System's most massive planet
opposite the
Sun and near its closest and brightest for viewing from planet Earth.
In fact, captured only 3 days ago this sharp telescopic snapshot
reveals excellent details of the ruling gas giant's swirling cloudtops,
in light zones and dark belts girdling the rapidly rotating outer planet.
Jupiter's famous, persistent anticyclonic vortex, known as the Great Red Spot,
is south of the equator at the lower right.
But two smaller red spots are also visible, one near the top in the
northernmost zone, and one close to Jupiter's south pole.
And while Jupiter's Great Red Spot is known to be shrinking,
it's still about the size of the Earth itself.
Jupiter with the Great Red Spot
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/jupiter2026.png Jupiter with the Great Red Spot Jupiter reaches
its 2026 opposition today, January 10.
That puts our Solar System's most massive planet
opposite the
Sun and near its closest and brightest for viewing from planet Earth.
In fact, captured only 3 days ago this sharp telescopic snapshot
reveals excellent details of the ruling gas giant's swirling cloudtops,
in light zones and dark belts girdling the rapidly rotating outer planet.
Jupiter's famous, persistent anticyclonic vortex, known as the Great Red Spot,
is south of the equator at the lower right.
But two smaller red spots are also visible, one near the top in the
northernmost zone, and one close to Jupiter's south pole.
And while Jupiter's Great Red Spot is known to be shrinking,
it's still about the size of the Earth itself.
Astronomy & Observing News – Sky & Telescope
Pandora Mission Launches to Explore Atmospheres on Alien Worlds
NASA's new, small observatory — launched successfully on January 11th — has a big mission: to characterize exoplanet atmospheres.
The post Pandora Mission Launches to Explore Atmospheres on Alien Worlds appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Pandora Mission Launches to Explore Atmospheres on Alien Worlds
NASA's new, small observatory — launched successfully on January 11th — has a big mission: to characterize exoplanet atmospheres.
The post Pandora Mission Launches to Explore Atmospheres on Alien Worlds appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Sky & Telescope
Pandora Mission Launches to Explore Atmospheres on Alien Worlds
NASA's new, small observatory — launched successfully on January 11th — has a big mission: to characterize exoplanet atmospheres.
AstroNexus
Photo
Astronomy Picture of the Day RSS Feed
APOD: 2026 January 11 – M104: The Sombrero Galaxy in Infrared
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/sombrero_spitzer_1080.jpg APOD: 2026 January 11 – M104: The Sombrero Galaxy in Infrared This floating ring is the size of a galaxy.
In fact, it is a galaxy -- or at least part of one: the photogenic Sombrero Galaxy,
one of the largest galaxies in the nearby Virgo Cluster of Galaxies.
The dark band of dust that obscures the mid-section of the Sombrero Galaxy in visible light actually
glows brightly in infrared light.
The featured image, digitally sharpened, shows the infrared glow, recently recorded by the orbiting Spitzer Space Telescope, superposed in false-color on an existing image taken by
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope in visible light.
The Sombrero
Galaxy, also known as M104, spans about 50,000 light years and lies 28 million light years away. M104
can be seen with a small telescope in the direction of the
constellation Virgo.
APOD: 2026 January 11 – M104: The Sombrero Galaxy in Infrared
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/sombrero_spitzer_1080.jpg APOD: 2026 January 11 – M104: The Sombrero Galaxy in Infrared This floating ring is the size of a galaxy.
In fact, it is a galaxy -- or at least part of one: the photogenic Sombrero Galaxy,
one of the largest galaxies in the nearby Virgo Cluster of Galaxies.
The dark band of dust that obscures the mid-section of the Sombrero Galaxy in visible light actually
glows brightly in infrared light.
The featured image, digitally sharpened, shows the infrared glow, recently recorded by the orbiting Spitzer Space Telescope, superposed in false-color on an existing image taken by
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope in visible light.
The Sombrero
Galaxy, also known as M104, spans about 50,000 light years and lies 28 million light years away. M104
can be seen with a small telescope in the direction of the
constellation Virgo.