SCIENCE CENTERED BLOG

Learning something new is always worth the read!

In a world of constant information overload, we strive to be your reliable source for clear and accessible science. Explore the blog posts below to learn about the science that affects our everyday lives.

Check Out Our Featured Series on Measles

For over two decades, measles was a long-forgotten disease in the United States thanks to widespread vaccination and elimination of the virus from circulation.

Stargazing: Hale Telescope at Mount Palomar First Light

For nearly 30 years, the Hale Telescope was the largest telescope in the world.

Stargazing: Pleiades

Tonight, the waxing gibbous Moon will cozy up to the stellar sisters, pairing the luminous Moon with the sparkling blue-white brilliance of the Pleiades.

Stargazing: Anniversary Huygens probe landing on Titan

On January 14, 2005, scientists awaited the descent of the Huygens probe into the atmosphere of Titan.

Stargazing: Jupiter at opposition – Europa Clipper

Sat., Jan. 10, Jupiter will be its most radiant and holds its place as the fourth brightest object in the sky after the Sun, Moon, and Venus.

Stargazing: Jupiter – Biggest and Brightest of the Year

New Year's Eve highlights include the colossal planet Jupiter reaching its brightest illumination of 2025.

Stargazing: Running Man Cluster – Orion Nebula

Orion the Hunter is one of the more popular constellations due to his well-known shape and three stars in a row that mark the distinctive belt.

Stargazing: Jupiter – Biggest and Brightest of the Year

New Year's Eve highlights include the colossal planet Jupiter reaching its brightest illumination of 2025.

The Running Man Nebula Sh2-279 and Orion Nebula M42 located in the constellation Orion.

Stargazing: Running Man Cluster – Orion Nebula

Orion the Hunter is one of the more popular constellations due to his well-known shape and three stars in a row that mark the distinctive belt.

Various position of the Earth in relation to the Sun for the Solstices and Equinox

Stargazing: Winter Solstice

Celebrate the return of the light! The Winter Solstice is on Sun., Dec. 21, at 10:03 EST, the sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky.

Stargazing: Geminid Meteor Shower, Dec. 13th-14th

Geminids are coming! Dec. 13–14, catch 75+ meteors/hr under dark skies. One of the year’s most dazzling meteor showers—don’t miss it!

Stargazing: Astrobotic Griffin Mission One

The Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic is aiming to land Pittsburgh on the Moon with Astrobotic Griffin Mission One.

The Sun coming over the horizon of Earth as seen from outer space.

Astronomical Calendar & Star Chart Winter 2025–26

Top skygazing picks, winter planet visibilities, meteor showers, excitement, and space news.

Stargazing: Mariner Mission Project

There was an understated elegance to the Mariner Mission project, which was a set of ten JPL/NASA spacecraft-probes beginning in 1962.

Leonid meteor shower radiates from Leo in the Pittsburgh sky facing East.

Stargazing: Leonids and Uranus at Opposition

This year, the Leonid meteor shower will reach its peak pre-dawn, Nov. 17. There will be only a sliver of a waning moon that night, and dark skies give greater opportunities to observe gleaming streaks blaze across the sky.

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