264 Items Tagged

Astronomy

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory satellie captured a total solar eclipse on Feb. 11, 2018, an event that was not visible from Earth.

7 Great Eclipse Books to Inspire, Delight, and Prepare You for April 8

From wild page-turners of the eclipse-obsessed to a gentle children’s book for all ages.

Gemma Tarlach March 11, 2024

A copy of a 15th-century chart, attributed to Regiomontanus, to plot the movement of the Moon using a string attached to the chart's center.

How One of Science's Biggest Errors Persisted for 1,500 Years

Ptolemy's compendium, later known as the Almagest, dominated Western astronomy for 15 centuries. It was also wrong, and it took the fall of an empire to fix it.

Rebecca Boyle February 28, 2024

The Lunar X, visible at image center, appears briefly on a first quarter Moon.

How to See Where Lunar X Marks the Spot on a First Quarter Moon

Many of us see a face or a rabbit in the Moon—examples of pareidolia that, when conditions are right, also include the letters X and V.

Rebecca Boyle February 15, 2024

Imbolc, Groundhog Day, and Brigantia All Celebrate the Coming Spring

Whatever you call it, early February's cross-quarter day reconnects us with ancient astronomical timekeeping traditions.

Rebecca Boyle January 30, 2024

The Tomnaverie Stone Circle is a dramatic megalithic monument devoted to the Moon. A large recumbent stone, arranged between two smaller, upright stones, is visible just to the left of the image's center.

Scotland's Ancient Stone Circles Mark Our Deep Connection to the Moon

Unlike Sun-focused Stonehenge and other megalithic monuments, Tomnaverie and similar stone circles hint at the Moon's importance to ancient people.

Rebecca Boyle January 17, 2024

Wonder is coming (return engagement) on April 8, 2024.

Embrace the Looming Shadow of Atlas Obscura's Ecliptic Festival

Learning more about the upcoming April astronomical extravaganza with organizer Megan Roberts.

Atlas Obscura January 16, 2024

A female astronomer peers through Yerkes Observatory's massive refractor telescope in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.

Uncovering the Forgotten Female Astronomers of Yerkes Observatory

It all started with a photo of Einstein.

April White January 9, 2024

Fremont Solstice Parade.

16 Places to Celebrate the Solstice

Revel in the darkness and the light at ancient astronomical clocks and fiery festivals.

Diana Hubbell December 21, 2023

Eggnog, technically, comes from space.

Asteroid Collisions, Wandering Spacecraft, and Eggnog

Taking holiday a moment to appreciate how Earth got its water—and eggnog and mulled wine.

Robin George Andrews December 21, 2023

4 Days of Music, Science, Art, and Wonder

Initial Lineup Announced for Atlas Obscura's Ecliptic Festival!

Join us for 4 days of music, science, art, and wonder in celebration of the 2024 eclipse at Valley of the Vapors!

Atlas Obscura December 13, 2023

Turtle doves are two of the many birdy gifts bestowed by a true love during "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

Where Did the 12 Days of Christmas Come From?

The answer is the Moon.

Rebecca Boyle December 13, 2023

A illustration imagines the aftermath of Earth's collision with Theia, and how the material ejected by it slowly began to reform into an orbital body.

Theia and the Collision That Gave Birth to the Moon

Evidence deep within the planet suggests that remnants of Earth's catastrophic twin might still lie below.

Robin George Andrews December 4, 2023

Clear winter skies offer exhilarating sights for stargazers, from auroras to the Milky Way; the right gear makes viewing them cozy and comfortable.

A Holiday Gift Guide for Winter Stargazing and More

From telescopes to fun and functional hats, we've got ideas for every astro-enthusiast in your life this giving season.

Rebecca Boyle November 29, 2023

NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins became obsessed with rugby after discovering the sport in college.

Passing on the Olympics to Go to Space

Rugby and exploring the cosmos have more in common than you might think.

Jessica Watkins November 21, 2023

Planetário do Porto

Porto, Portugal

Planetário do Porto

A scientific observatory managed the largest Portuguese astronomy research unit.

Providence, Rhode Island

Ladd Observatory

A 132-year-old telescope continues to keep watch over the night skies above Providence.

Caravaggio's 1597 painting of the gorgon Medusa vividly captures the violence behind origin stories for many of our constellations.

In October, Our Night Sky is Full of Scary Stories

Stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere can find the demon star Algol, a murdered monster, and victims of vengeful gods.

Rebecca Boyle October 25, 2023

Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station

Since its original beginnings as a weather observatory mountaintop, this facility played an instrumental role in gathering atmospheric data for almost 100 years.