Solar eclipses result from a fantastic celestial coincidence of scale and distance

Many people will see a dazzling eclipse this April, but these events are possible only because of the sizes and precise distances between Earth, the Moon and the Sun.

Christopher Palma, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Students and Teaching Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Penn State • conversation
March 12, 2024 ~6 min

Total solar eclipses, while stunning, can damage your eyes if viewed without the right protection

Now’s the time to get your hands on a pair of eclipse glasses in preparation for April’s display of celestial wonder.

Geoffrey Bradford, Professor of Pediatrics and Ophthalmology, West Virginia University • conversation
March 12, 2024 ~6 min


Safety tips for April’s solar eclipse

The April 8 total solar eclipse is less than a month away. An ophthalmologist has some tips for you on how to enjoy it and stay safe.

Leslie White-U. Rochester • futurity
March 11, 2024 ~3 min

April’s eclipse will mean interruptions in solar power generation, which could strain electrical grids

When the Moon blocks the Sun during an eclipse, utility suppliers have to pull power from the grid to make up for gaps in solar energy.

Vahe Peroomian, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences • conversation
March 8, 2024 ~7 min

Why does a leap year have 366 days?

Humans have synced their calendars to the sun and moon for centuries, but every so often, these systems need a little correction.

Bhagya Subrayan, PhD Student in Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University • conversation
Feb. 19, 2024 ~6 min

Lunar science is entering a new active phase, with commercial launches of landers that will study solar wind and peer into the universe’s dark ages

Projects under NASA’s CLPS program will probe unexplored questions about the universe’s formation.

Jack Burns, Professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Feb. 5, 2024 ~8 min

Earth isn't the only planet with seasons, but they can look wildly different on other worlds

You might hate winter, but at least you know what to expect every year. Other planets have wobbly axes that lead to wild, unpredictable seasons.

Gongjie Li, Assistant Professor of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
Jan. 10, 2024 ~8 min

Privatised Moon landings: the two US missions set to open a new era of commercial lunar exploration

The Peregrine and Nova-C landers are due to carry out valuable science at two diverse lunar locations.

Ian Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Jan. 2, 2024 ~8 min


Why dimming the Sun would be an effective tool in the fight against climate change

Releasing reflective particles into the upper atmosphere would help us tackle climate change – but it’s not without risk.

Peter Irvine, Lecturer in Earth Sciences, UCL • conversation
Dec. 6, 2023 ~7 min

Massive planet too big for its own sun pushes astronomers to rethink exoplanet formation

A newly discovered planet that should be too big to have formed around a tiny star is throwing into question what researchers know about planet formation.

Megan Delamer, Graduate Student, Department of Astronomy, Penn State • conversation
Nov. 30, 2023 ~6 min

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