The Brightest Star We've Ever Seen
Astronomers have discovered a supernova that shines brighter than any other in the observable universe.
Is the Moon Real?
It's common knowledge that earth's only friend, the moon, is real. There it is, big and bright, careening across the sky in a dark orbit thousands of miles away. Wow, it's big! Big and real. We know the moon is real because we can see it up there, existing. It's very, very real. But have you ever stopped yourself to…
Astronomers say that the largest known star in the universe is in the process of tearing itself apart. Get ahold of yourself, Miley!
The Sharpest Photos of the Stars Ever Taken
Here are some photos of stars in the Orion nebula. They are the sharpest photos ever taken of the night sky. Ever in human history. Heck, that's something to be proud of. Take a minute out of your busy day to contemplate them. [University of Arizona]
Epically Shitty Meteor Shower to Chuck Some Fucking Stars Across The Sky This Weekend
Do you have literally nothing to do this weekend, including organizing your receipts, or sleeping? Consider celebrating your carefree life by taking in a truly mediocre meteor shower, courtesy of Mother Nature's amateur hour.
'Cosmic Supermom' Galaxy Is Having Over Two Star Babies a Day
A galaxy 5.7 billion light years away from Earth has been having so many star babies that the Associated Press deemed it a 'cosmic supermom.' This space mom galaxy, which doesn't have an official name (commenters, do your worst), 'births' 740 stars a year, compared to the Milky Way's very prudish one a year. The rapid…
Dragonflies Are Humongous Cowards
Tumbleweed comeback! Aspirin cancer! Goosebump fear! Star molecules! Cowardly dragonflies! Fish labeling! Python organs! Spider foreplay! And outer space's most popular costumes! It's your Friday Science Watch, where we watch science—with bravado!
'Asexual' Ants Actually Total Whores
Ant sex! Bacteria attack! Sleep screwing! Quantum internet! Atlantis shuttle! Safe playgrounds! Disappearing diamonds! Star formation! Asteroid scars! And the bug that haunts your every waking moment! It's your Tuesday Science Watch, where we watch science—on the down low!
If You Don't Want a Personal Jet Pack Then You're Dumb
Gravity existence! Personal jetpacks! Squirrel love! Treadmill shrimp! Lion theories! Worm brains! Dwarf stars! Futuristic pots! And x-ray food from the very near future! It's your Monday Science Watch, where we watch science—without any fancy science degrees!
Iran Hit By New Computer Virus
The mysterious Stuxnet worm may have kicked the crap out of Iran's Bushehr nuclear reactor last August. Now, Iranian's commander of civil defense says they have discovered a new virus called "Stars."
Is There No Stopping Gwyneth Paltrow's World Domination?
This is an important question we are asking ourselves today: can Gwyneth Paltrow be stopped? The human-shaped collection of sunlight and feathers has already conquered the acting world, has become the nation's preeminent country-western-singer, and is now poised to take over the food industry. Her new cookbook, My…
Phil Hart's Beautiful Photos of Light-Up Algae
Thanks to Phil Plait of Discover Magazine's Bad Astronomy blog, who flagged this amazing photo, we are now freaking out about bioluminescence, because what could possibly be cooler than algae that light up like this? Australian photographer Phil Hart took these photos in 2008-2009, after intense bushfires, torrential…
This Is What It Looks Like When the Sun Erupts
[This is the sun, as photographed in ultraviolet by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. That huge plasma loop in the lower left? It's a solar prominence, around 400,000 miles long. Video of it forming below.]
The Amazing 'Death Spiral' of a Binary Star
[This Hubble image appears to show a dying carbon star—part of a binary star pair—emitting clouds of its outer material in a spiral pattern. As Bad Astronomy's Phil Plait says: "Coooool." Hubble via Bad Astronomy]
Runaway Star Headed Out of Milky Way at 1.6 Million Miles an Hour
The Hubble has spotted a "hypervelocity star" (known as HE 0437-5439) ditching the Milky Way at 1.6 million miles an hour. It's not headed toward earth, which is a relief, because what the hell could you do about it? [CBS]
Hubble Discovers Planet-Eating Star
According to the Hubble Space Telescope, there is a planet, with the unbelievably cool name of Wasp-12b, currently being "eaten" by a star. It only has 10 million years left, so enjoy it while it lasts. [BBC; pic via NASA]
Exploding Stars: Your New Cure for Osteoporosis
Astronomers have found a kind of supernova that barfs calcium as it dies, and think such supernovae could be behind the abundance of calcium in our universe. No word on if they're better than Tums, or what. [LAT]
Suri Cruise Turns Four and Other Milestones
The world li'l-est Scientologist celebrates a birthday. Charlie Sheen and Brooke Meuller both lose important things. Oprah has a new dad. Danny Glover gets arrested. Sunday's gossip roundup is too old for this shit.
Happy 40th Anniversary, Sesame Street: The Best Celebrity Appearances
Today marks the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street, a landmark in public television and children's educational programming. Through the years there have been a substantial number of celebrity cameos, many unlikely. Here are some of the best.
Look-See in the Sky with Diamonds
[Today NASA released images taken by the refurbished Hubble telescope, including this picture of 100,000 stars in the Omega Centauri cluster. Image via NASA]
