Scientists still aren't positive what it was.

Watch a mysterious blue fireball scream over Australia

Sozin's Comet

On Monday, an unusual fireball streaked across the sky over Australia, leaving astronomers wondering whether they saw an incinerating satellite or a meteor.

Watch a Mysterious Blue Fireball Scream Over Australia

Astronomers are speculating about what it could have been.

"If the universe has an axis, it is not a simple single axis like a merry-go-round."

Astronomers think the entire early universe was rotating

Getting Dizzy

New research suggests that the early universe was spinning around multiple axes, influencing the direction in which galaxies rotate.

Evidence Suggests That the Entire Early Universe Was Rotating

This'll make your head spin!

"This 'real-time' astronomy, which allows us to study events taking place over months, weeks or days instead of millions of years, is a window into the great unknown."

New telescope will watch entire Southern sky in infrared

Shutter Upgrade

An advanced telescope currently being built in Australia will give astronomers a far more detailed glimpse of cosmic events.

New Telescope Will Watch Entire Southern Sky in Infrared

Astronomers will be able to see star explosions in "real time."

Astronomers Use "Sunglasses" to Find Cloud Bands on a Brown Dwarf

A star-like celestial body is covered in cool-looking stripes — that are actually hellish storm clouds.

Astronomers discover brown dwarf covered in stripes

Spangled Banner

Astronomers discovered bizarre stripes of storm clouds blanketing a brown dwarf "star" with an old technique that's relevant again thanks to new tech.

Astronomers Discover Brown Dwarf Covered in Stripes

It's like a celestial body designed by Tim Burton.

After astronomers complained about his satellites, Musk suggested launching observatories even farther.

Elon Musk says SpaceX could launch orbital observatories

Excelsior!

In response to scientists who say SpaceX's Starlink satellites will block astronomical research, CEO Elon Musk suggested launching orbital observatories.

Elon Musk Says SpaceX Could Launch Orbital Observatories

"I'm very excited about a future of space-based telescopes that could be very large."

If the image is valid, it shows the closest exoplanet to Earth.

This blurry photo may show a planet in a neighboring star system

Squinting Hard

Astronomers think they've captured an image of an exoplanet orbiting Proxima Centauri, the star that's closest to our solar system.

This Blurry Photo May Show a Planet in a Neighboring Star System

If it's confirmed, it would be the closest exoplanet ever caught on camera.

"This is a wakeup call for astronomers generally to start thinking about the mitigations."

Astronomer: SpaceX satellite swarm will be visible with naked eye

Crowded Sky

As SpaceX continues to launch more of its Starlink satellites, new research suggests hundreds will be visible from Earth with the naked eye.

Astronomer: SpaceX Satellite Swarm Will Be Visible With Naked Eye

Starlink is going to be a bigger problem for astronomers than expected.

Proposed mission would explore interstellar object ‘Oumuamua

Far Out

A proposed mission would explore the first-ever object that astronomers spotted cruising into our solar system from interstellar space.

Proposed Mission Would Explore Interstellar Object ‘Oumuamua

"We now know such a mission, at least in principle, is achievable."

Now that it's fully up and running, FAST is 2.5 times more sensitive than the next-largest radio telescope.

China finally boots up massive alien-hunting radio telescope

Far-Sighted

China's world record, "alien-hunting" telescope, FAST, became fully operational on Saturday, quadrupling the amount of the universe astronomers can examine.

China Finally Boots Up Colossal Alien-Hunting Radio Telescope

You could fit an entire neighborhood inside this massive dish.

"It’s been right in front of our eyes all the time, but we couldn’t see it until now."

Wave of "stellar nurseries" may be our galaxy’s biggest structure

Wave Hello

The Radcliffe Wave is an unbroken stream stars and stellar nurseries 9,000 light-years long — and it may be the biggest structure in the Milky Way.

/ astronomy