Astronomers have discovered a Venus-size world without air. Plus, the Geminid Meteor Shower may have originated from an asteroid collision. And the Milky Way's central black hole flared 200 years ago.
The Moon shines among the stars of upper Scorpius. The brightest of these is orange Antares to the Moon's lower left. Mars and Venus are now at their minimum separation for this apparition. Mars will remain low in twilight for more than a month to come.
Mergers between the Milky Way and long-ago dwarf galaxies have enriched our skies with dozens of iconic globular clusters. Many are visible in small telescopes.
Dozens of amateur astronomers, astronomy enthusiasts, and families will gather at Camp Cullom near Mulberry, IN, on July 18-23 for the 20th Indiana Family Star Party.
