Topic: International Astronomical Union

Quandrantid meteor shower: The best time to catch it

Quadrantid meteor shower: With a  bright gibbous moon, the best time to view the Quandrantid meteor shower is between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. EST, before the sun rises.

Tatooine-like planet: Astronomers spot pair of planets orbiting twin suns (+video)

Tatooine-like planet: In a cosmic first, astronomers have discovered two alien planets orbiting two stars, not unlike Luke Skywalker's home planet in the Star Wars films.

Hubble spots fifth moon orbiting ex-planet Pluto

Scientists have announced the discovery of a fifth moon of Pluto. Dubbed P5 for now, it is the smallest moon yet detected orbiting the frigid dwarf planet.

Pluto's fifth moon: five fascinating facts (+video)

Using data from the Hubble telescope, SETI scientists spotted a fifth moon orbiting the icy dwarf planet Pluto.

Pluto now has at least five moons. Can we go back to calling it a planet?

Long considered a planet, Pluto was reclassified as a 'dwarf planet' in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union. Will the discovery of a fifth moon prompt astronomers to reconsider?

What should we name Pluto's new moon?

Scientists examining data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have spotted a fifth moon orbiting Pluto. The moon is currently labeled S/2012 (134340) 1, a monicker that could probably be improved. 

Hubble telescope spots fifth moon orbiting Pluto (+video)

Almost exactly a year after it spotted a fourth moon orbiting the icy dwarf planet, the Hubble Space Telescope has detected a fifth one.

Long lived Mars rover picks prime spot to weather winter

Opportunity is hunkering down at a spot called Greeley Haven, a rocky outcrop along the rim of the Red Planet's huge Endeavour crater.

Quadrantid Meteor Shower peaks Weds, one of 2012's best

The Quadrantids are notoriously unpredictable, but if any year promises a fine display, this could be it.

10-year-old becomes youngest to discover supernova

A 10-year-old Canadian girl became the youngest person ever to discover an exploding star, or supernova.

Quadrantid meteor shower tonight: the top nine meteor showers of 2011

This week will see a lesser known meteor shower, the Quadrantid, dazzle the night sky on Jan. 3 and 4. It's the first of nine significant meteor showers in 2011. Here’s a list of all the events and what to watch for each time.

Should Pluto be restored as a planet? Experts weigh in.

New calculations indicate that Pluto might be the largest object in the outer solar system. Does it now deserve to be called a planet again?

Gliese 581g: 'Goldilocks' planet might not exist after all

Gliese 581g, a newly discovered, first-of-its-kind planet thought to exist in its star's habitable zone, might just be 'noise,' astronomers say.

Neptune nears completing its first orbit since its 1846 discovery

Neptune has come almost full circle since it was first discovered in 1846, and on Aug. 20, it will be in a straight line with the sun and the Earth.

Perseid meteor shower: August 2010 marks more than just a show

Researchers will be gathering data during the Perseid meteor shower. August 2010 is part of a renaissance for meteor science in the US after nearly two decades of neglect.

Meteor shower August 2010: how you can get the best view

Meteor shower August 2010 peak comes early Friday. Emanating from the constellation Perseid, the meteor shower could yield sightings in some locations of up to 75 meteors an hour.

Scientists spot massive methane rainstorm over Titan

A rare storm system over Titan's tropics help explain the region's unique liquid-carved landscape.

The Pluto Files

A lively account of the ‘exile’ of Pluto, everyone’s favorite ex-planet.

Discoveries
Name that bat for the holidays