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Flagstaff, Arizona

Pluto Discovery Telescope

A planet-hunting astrograph built in the 1920s to seek out the so-called "Planet X" beyond Uranus.
Enchanted Rock at night.
astronomy

Where to Find Dark Skies in the Texas Hill Country

Fredericksburg is one of Texas’ newest Dark Sky Communities, which makes stargazing here out of this world.
Gran Telescopio Canarias
La Palma, Spain

Gran Telescopio Canarias

The world's largest single-aperture telescope resides in the Canary Islands.
The Jerlov Observatory.
Vittsjö, Sweden

The Jerlov Observatory

This former peat factory was transformed into an observatory before being abandoned once again.
Silver Cliff Stars
Westcliffe, Colorado

Smokey Jack Observatory

Located in the world's highest-altitude Dark Sky Community, this observatory welcomes amateur and professional astronomers alike.
Amherst, Massachusetts

Graves of David and Mabel Todd

One was an astronomer who spent his life chasing solar eclipses, the other helped make Emily Dickinson famous.
After a 22-hour stay on the moon, Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. returned to space in the lunar module to rendezvous with the Apollo command module crewed by Michael Collins.
objects of intrigue

You Can Own Moon Dust Collected by Neil Armstrong

NASA accidentally sold it, tried to take it back, lost it in a court battle—and now you can own it.
Sarah Durn April 8, 2022
architecture

Podcast: Pyramid of Djoser

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
The Podcast Team March 22, 2022
Leuven, Belgium

De Kangxi-Verbiest Hemelglobe (Kangxi-Verbiest Star Globe)

A replica of a 17th-century map of the stars stands in the courtyard of a Belgian university.
Hubble Replica
Marshfield, Missouri

Hubble Space Telescope Replica

In Edwin Hubble's hometown, a scale model of the groundbreaking telescope that was named in his honor.
Rocky's doghouse was carefully dismantled after meteorite hunters purchased it in 2019. Though Rocky was sad to see his house go, it was soon replaced with a much nicer one.
objects of intrigue

Sold: A $44,000 Doghouse With a Hole in Its Roof

Rocky's home was struck by a rare meteorite, but don't worry, he's okay.
Sarah Durn February 25, 2022
Bare Dark Sky Observatory
Burnsville, North Carolina

Bare Dark Sky Observatory

A mountaintop space observatory that is certified dark.
Astronomer Gianluca Masi captured this image of the International Space Station passing directly over Rome's Colosseum.
architecture

A View of the Space Age From the Classical World

This mesmerizing image brings the International Space Station and Rome's ancient Colosseum together.
Gemma Tarlach January 4, 2022
Pereiaslav, Ukraine

Museum of Space Exploration

A century-old church is now a space museum with a treasure trove of Soviet space items.
London, England

King’s Observatory

Built by George III to observe the transit of Venus, this Georgian gem is a unique survivor in the Arcadian landscape of Richmond upon Thames.
In this Turf Tutorial, you’re invited to get outside, look up into the night sky, and explore the wonders beyond our atmosphere.
astronomy

Turf Tutorial: Stargazing

A beginner’s guide to the secrets of stargazing with Summer Ash
Dark dust devil trails crisscross frigid dunes and gullies in the southern highlands of Mars.
science

Massive Dust Devils Leave Their Mark Across Eerie Dunes

Often associated with Earth’s hottest places, these whirling columns show up on all seven continents—and beyond.
Gemma Tarlach November 5, 2021
Thornborough Henges from above
West Tanfield, England

Thornborough Henges

This collection of ancient structures makes up part of the largest group of prehistoric earthworks in Britain.