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Astronomy (Space)

Did you see a series of mysterious fireballs fly through Melbourne's sky overnight? Astronomers say the sightings were 'unusual'

Multiple unrelated fireballs were detected over Victoria last night. Experts say the back-to-back sightings were a "bit of a fluke".
Updated
A streak of light across the night sky over a busy street.

Space trackers and trailblazers reunite to celebrate Australia's starring role in lunar history

It's been six decades since NASA first touched down in outback WA, and it's given current and former residents of Carnarvon plenty of reasons to celebrate.
A large rocket and satellite dish point upwards into the evening sky.

Two large asteroids are passing Earth this week. Here's how to spot them

Two asteroids — including one that's newly-discovered — are passing Earth this week. Here's what to know and how to spot them in the night sky.
A visualisation of two asteroids floating in space. Earth is visible in the distance.

Two astronauts are waiting on the International Space Station. Here's why NASA can't say when they're going home

It's now three weeks in space and counting for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, as NASA and Boeing troubleshoot problems with their space capsule. Three potential landing dates have so far been called off, and their flight home is now on hold.
A spacecraft is blasting off from a launchpad with loads of smoke underneath

Aurora chasers champion removal of hotspot from map

Over-zealous aurora chasers in WA's south west damaged a site of historical and cultural importance during May's magnetic storm, now the spot has been removed from a map listing viewing sites.
ABC News Current
Duration: 1 minute 47 seconds

Aurora chaser joins fight to protect thrombolites after 'embarrassing' walk on ancient fossil site

When Wesley Lamont set up his camera to capture the aurora australis, he had no idea he was trampling on a fragile ecosystem and potentially causing decades of damage.
Updated
The aurora taken off the boardwalk at the thrombolites

The winter solstice in Australia is today. Here's why it's the shortest day of the year

The winter solstice is today. Here's what you can expect from the "shortest day of the year".
Updated
Cold winter in Canberra 2015

Sunshine Coast hinterland's bid to attract stargazers by becoming Dark Sky Reserve

Renowned for its multi-million-dollar wedding industry, Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland hopes to add stargazing to its tourism drawcard.
A container shed sits in the forground of the photo with a sign, 'Maleny Golf Club' as the Milky Way shines overhead.

Much-loved outback astronomer Greg 'Space Gandalf' Quicke dead at 62

A legend in the Kimberley with his distinctive white beard — Greg Quicke introduced generations of visitors and locals to the wonders of the universe through his "astro tours" in the town of Broome
Updated
A man with a beard and headset mic smiles

SpaceX successfully launches Starship rocket to space on fourth test flight, survives re-entry which blew up last flight

SpaceX's Starship rocket, designed to eventually send astronauts to the Moon and beyond, has undergone its fourth flight test.
Smoke plumes coming out from underneath a rocket.

Nerd quiz: Are you an uber geek or a dynamo dunce?

What is a baby platypus called? Where is Planet Nine? Are you an uber geek? There's only one way to find out — take this quiz.
Mosaic of lizard with snake it its mouth and planet

Chinese astronauts beat their record for longest spacewalk

Chinese astronauts have completed 16 spacewalks since 2008, the Chinese manned spaced agency says. 
Two astronauts float in the atmosphere with earth seen below.

Could increasing satellite 'noise' pose problems for the Square Kilometre Array?

By 2030, the world's largest radio telescope will be operational in remote Western Australia, but by then tens of thousands of satellites will be orbiting Earth, blanketing it with radio noise.
Updated
An aerial view of the SKA-Low being built

'There's something going on': Why this astronomer is convinced Planet Nine exists

In 2016, astronomers published a study suggesting a ninth planet could be hiding on the edge of our Solar System. Eight years later, they're still looking for it. So what will it take to find it?
The sun rises over a blue planet

Ed Dwight, first African American candidate for space travel, takes off 60 years later

Ed Dwight was in the same class as Apollo 11's Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, but NASA did not select black astronauts until 1978. On Sunday, aged 90, he finally experienced zero gravity.
A man in a blue flightsuit emerges from a space capsule with his arms raised.

Will the next big conflict be fought in space? This is how the world is preparing for star wars

Satellites are under threat like never before and more countries are preparing for wars in space. So, what exactly is going on above the atmosphere? And should we be worried?
Satellite floating in space.

'Stunning' comet fragment captured lighting up the sky over Spain and Portugal

Preliminary analysis from the Spanish Calar Alto astronomical observatory found the blue fireball entered our atmosphere at a speed of 161,000kph.
The night sky with a green hue from a comet

Researchers believe last weekend's display might not be the only auroras we see this year

While the weekend's incredible auroral display might be over, the Sun's antics may still be ramping up over the next few months. Here's what you need to know.
Red and yellow lights glowing above land with a plane wing in view

Aurora australis displays still possible but less likely as geomagnetic storm level falls

After this weekend's epic aurora australis display, the Bureau of Meteorology says there is still a geomagnetic storm underway that may produce visible southern lights in parts of Australia but the chance of seeing them is less likely. 
A multicoloured aurora over a lake.

Aurora borealis and australis dazzle viewers across the world for three consecutive nights of colourful wonder

From Australia to the US — here's how the dazzling lights of the aurora australis and borealis were captured in each hemisphere in a rare spectacle.
Updated
A person takes a photo of the Aurora Borealis in Vancouver. 

Dr Karl explains what causes the aurora australis

Dr Karl explains the physics behind the aurora australis that occurred over the weekend.
What Caused The Aurora, Dr Karl Explains: Man in lime, yellow and orange shirt gestures hands at screen.
Duration: 5 minutes 25 seconds

Missed the aurora australis? You should get another chance to see the southern lights tonight

The Earth has seen its biggest geomagnetic storm in more than 20 years, creating spectacular auroras across the globe. And the Bureau of Meteorology says the southern lights should be visible again tonight. 
Updated
Pink lights in the sky over a beach

Stargazers treated to light show in south-east Australia

Director of the University of Tasmania's Greenhill Observatory Andrew Cole says the previous geomagnetic storm of this strength occurred over 20 years ago.
A pink and green aurora in the sky with the silhouete of a tree in the foreground.
Duration: 5 minutes 10 seconds

What are geomagnetic storms and why do they produce such stunning light displays?

The Earth has experienced its strongest geomagnetic storm of the past 20 years, resulting in stunning light displays across the globe. But what are geomagnetic storms exactly and do they present a risk to people or the planet?
Sky at night lit up in pink hues with trees and a road below.

In pictures: Stunning auroras seen around world as geomagnetic storm hits Earth

The aurora borealis and australis — the northern and southern lights — are captured by photographers around the world as a rare solar weather event colours the skies in magical hues.
Updated
a scene of a road and grass on two sides with the sky lit up with a wide array of colourful rays.