Is 2020 a Leap Year? Here's Why February Has an Extra Day
The tropical year—or the length of time it takes for the Earth to go from one equinox to the next—is 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 45 seconds long.
Giant Asteroid Larger Than World's Tallest Building Set to Sail Past Earth
The space rock will fly past our planet at a distance of around 3.6 million miles.
February Full 'Snow' Moon Is First of Four Consecutive Supermoons
"Supermoon" is a popular term for a full moon occurring when our natural satellite is close to its perigee, or its minimum distance from the Earth.
Final Solar Eclipse of the Decade Will Create 'Ring of Fire' on December 26
The annular solar eclipse will pass over parts of Africa, Asia and Australia, but stargazers across the world can watch the event via livestream.
Huge 1,800-Foot-Wide Asteroid Is One of Six to Fly Past Earth This Week
The space rock will sail safely past the Earth at around 26,000 miles per hour—roughly 30 times faster than the speed of sound.
Last Full Moon of the Decade Will Fall on 12/12 at 12:12 A.M. EST
The full moon in December has traditionally been referred to as the "Full Cold Moon" or the "Long Nights Moon."
Eerie 'Song' of Earth's Magnetic Field During a Solar Storm Captured
Solar storms found to "profoundly modify" the foreshock—the region that extends beyond the magnetic field.
111 Foot-wide Asteroid Just Made Its Closest Approach to Earth in 115 Years
2019 TA7 is classified as a near-Earth object because its orbit around the sun takes it within 121 million miles of the star, and 30 million miles of Earth.
Solar Cycles End with 'Terminator' Events That Herald New Era of Activity
Scientists predict current solar cycle will come to an end in the first six months of 2020.
Total Solar Eclipse: The Science of Studying the Sun's Dark and Stormy Side
Eclipses such as 2019's event in South America give a highly-detailed snapshot of the solar atmosphere.
Baby Dies After Being Left in Van for Hours, Florida Daycare Owner Arrested
The infant was discovered in the vehicle nearly five hours after other children were offloaded at daycare.
March Full Worm Supermoon to Coincide With Equinox
The last time that a full moon and the spring equinox fell on the same day was March 20, 1981.
Solar Mystery Starts to Unravel With 'Tadpole' Jets
The jets were recorded coming from sunspots—temporary regions on the Sun with reduced surface temperatures.
How to Get Healthy Skin—Myths and Facts
The skin is our largest organ, and yet many of us are unsure how to care for it.
China to Build First Solar Power Station in Space
Scientists in China say harnessing solar power in space will provide an "inexhaustible source of clean energy."
Nuclear Fusion: We've Found a Way to Stabilize Plasma
Plasma—which reaches temperatures of hundreds of millions of degrees—is unstable, making it difficult to control.
Earth Just Made Its Closest Approach to the Sun
Earth reached perihelion, the point at which the sun is closest to Earth, at 2:19 a.m. ET on January 3.
What Is the Winter Solstice Marked in Google Doodle?
Today's Google Doodle features a winter-themed animation.
Enormous 'Solar Prominence' Seen on Surface of the Sun
The prominence was about 10 times the diameter of Earth.
The Sun Will One Day Cause Earth's Oceans to Boil
The searing hot ball of gas at the heart of our planetary neighborhood is home to almost all the mass of the solar system—but it's getting lighter all the time.
Earth's Magnetic Polarity Can Flip Faster Than Thought
Polarity changes can occur within centuries, not just over millennia.
Green Comet Makes Closest Approach to Earth
In two weeks, the comet will travel closer to the Sun than Mercury.
NASA Probe 'Is Like Sticking a Thermometer in the Sun'
The Parker Solar Probe will zoom toward the sun at speeds of up to 430,000 miles per hour, making it the fastest spacecraft ever flown.
Did the Sun Go Out Over Siberia? Russians Want Answers
Reports of a cloud of darkness blocking out the Sun at noon above northern Siberia have raised questions.
A Solar Storm Is Headed for Earth
Solar winds can impact power grids, GPS and even animal migration.
Everything to Know About the Upcoming Solar Eclipse
On Friday, the Moon will obscure a chunk of our star.
Melting Road Stops Traffic in Australia, Angers Drivers
The Malanda Millaa Millaa Road was only recently repaired, but it did not hold up well in the sun.
Moscow Feeds Zoo Animals 'Ice Cream' During Heat Wave
The city zoo has made some provisions for a pleasant summer after last year's drab and rainy weather.