Astronomy

Silk Road Adventures

Ulugh Beg: The Silk Road ruler who mapped the stars

In partnership with Agency of Information and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan

In this episode of Silk Road Adventures, we discover how Ulugh Beg, a 15th-century ruler and scholar, transformed Samarkand into a centre of astronomical excellence, leaving a legacy that continues to shape modern science.

25/03/2025

Space

A new star could explode any day now. Here's what you need to know

Astronomers are waiting for T Coronae Borealis, a nova 3,000 light-years away, to explode for the first time in almost 80 years.

01/10/2024

Space

Comet A3: How to see the 'comet of the century' as it passes Earth

Two viewing windows are possible to catch a glimpse of what’s being described as the astrological event of the year with your naked eyes and some luck.

27/09/2024

Space

Could weather impact solar eclipse viewing?

Huge crowds are expected in North America as a total solar eclipse crosses the continent.

08/04/2024

Space

Astronomers observe oldest ‘dead’ galaxy with James Webb telescope

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have made a new observation of what they say is the oldest galaxy seen to have stopped forming stars.

06/03/2024

Travel News

From France to the moon: rocket simulator opens in Toulouse

The Cité de l'Espace centre is offering visitors the experience of space travel in a rocket and moon lander simulator.

04/03/2024

Space

Astronomers discover what could be universe's brightest object

Astronomers say the quasar, which has a black hole at its heart, is devouring the equivalent of a sun day.

19/02/2024

Space

'Ultra-large' ring of galaxies challenges understanding of universe

The latest discovery of an ultra-large structure called the "Big Ring" adds to "mounting evidence" that challenges what we know about the universe.

12/01/2024

Space

Religious site or stargazing haven? The war over a Hawaiian volcano

Both indigenous activists and scientists believe the volcano holds answers to the mysteries of the universe but do not agree on how it should be used.

15/12/2023

Space

Super Blue Moon: Where are the best places to see it in Europe?

Here's everything you need to know about Wednesday night's spectacular lunar phenomenon which is the closest full moon of the year - and won't be seen again until 2037!

30/08/2023

USA

NASA reassured after detecting signal from Voyager 2 probe

NASA has been reassured after detecting a signal from Voyager 2 after losing contact with the probe about a week ago.

02/08/2023

Mobility

Scientists watch a star 'eating' a distant planet for the first time

The sight gives a premonition of what it will be like when the Sun swallows the inner planets - including Earth - in 5 billion years' time.

04/05/2023

Culture news

Meet the women astrophotographers capturing the Milky Way in Qatar

Astrophotographers in Qatar gear up each month to capture the Milky Way galaxy in all its glory. These women photographers head out to pitch-dark places like Al-Aamriya, Al-Thuraya, Al-Kharrara, Al-Zubara, Zekreet, and others, to capture the core of the Milky Way

08/03/2023

Experiences

Is this the best place in Europe to stargaze? I went to find out

“Stargazing isn’t just for one night, stargazing should be for a lifetime.”

22/02/2023

Green News

Kids born today will see half the stars currently visible by age 18

Astronomers say LEDs and advertisements could be causing the sky to get brighter.

20/01/2023

Australia

Giant radio telescope to be based in Australia and South Africa

Construction gets underway in Australia and South Africa of a network of antennas which together will form the world’s largest radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array.

05/12/2022

Experiences

Starry, starry night: A guide to the best stargazing spots in Europe

With almost 200 dark skies parks across the world, here are our picks of the best places to see the stars in Europe.

10/11/2022

Mobility

Newly spotted 'planet killer' asteroid could one day threaten Earth

Called 2022 AP7, it's over 1 km wide and the largest potentially hazardous asteroid found in the last eight years, say astronomers.

02/11/2022

Mobility

World’s biggest digital camera could help unlock universe’s secrets

With the power of 266 iPhones, this camera will help astronomers see the universe like never before.

25/10/2022

Mobility

Female Russian cosmonaut hitches a ride to ISS with SpaceX capsule

Elon Musk’s rocket venture SpaceX has just sent a capsule to the ISS, with a Russian cosmonaut sharing the ride with two Americans and a Japanese.

06/10/2022