Spotlight on Astronomy

Cornell University Astronomy News and Events

Saturn's Phoebe planet-like Thumb

Saturn's Phoebe planet-like

May 1, 2012
Data from NASA's Cassini mission reveal Saturn's moon Phoebe has more planet-like qualities than previously thought.
Rocket launched into northern lights Thumb

Rocket launched into northern lights

NASA Mars Rover Finds Mineral Vein Deposited by Water Thumb

NASA Mars Rover Finds Mineral Vein Deposited by Water

December 8, 2011
PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has found bright veins of a mineral, apparently gypsum, deposited by water. Analysis of the vein will help improve understanding of the history of wet environments on Mars.  
Faster than the speed of light? Thumb

Faster than the speed of light?

November 15, 2011
Physics professors Julia Thom, Eanna Flanagan and Yuval Grossman will host a forum for the public about the recent experimental results suggesting faster-than-light travel by neutrinos.
Prof. Joseph Veverka to talk about Stardust-NExT Thumb

Prof. Joseph Veverka to talk about Stardust-NExT

November 10, 2011
Professor Joseph Veverka of Cornell University will speak at the 11/17/11 Colloquium  on the successful results of the Stardust-NExT mission.
Not That Close! Thumb

Not That Close!

November 8, 2011
An asteroid the size of a city block will zoom by Earth inside the orbit of the moon today (Nov. 8), but it poses no danger of smashing into our planet, scientists say.
Squyres Helps NASA Prepare for Asteroid Exploration Thumb

Squyres Helps NASA Prepare for Asteroid Exploration

The Persistence of methane On Titan Through Geologic Time

October 20, 2011
The unique aspect of the Earth among the solar system's planets is the persistence and stability of liquid water on its surface through geologic time. 

Warren Brown: Merging White Dwarfs Making Gravitational Waves

September 21, 2011
Extremely low mass white dwarfs are the unusual remnants of stars that lost extreme amounts of mass during their evolution.