Christopher Cokinos, Author at Astronomy.com

several of the large telescopes at Paranal Observatory in Chile

ESO report shows energy plant would cause ‘devastating and irreversible’ impact

Space Exploration

Space scientists fearful as Trump administration targets science and mulls NASA cuts

Milky Way above VLT

Green hydrogen project threatens pristine Paranal skies in Chile

The Sun

Solar System, Stars

What’s in the National Academies’ Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics?

Light pollution linked to higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease

The bright skyglow from city lights can easily wash away the night sky, hiding the stars from view. But they are still there, shining — and we can reveal them with collaborations and initiatives underway around the world.

The fight against light pollution

JWST's infrared image from its NIRCam captured JADES-GS-z14-0, the most distant known galaxy. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, B. Robertson (UC Santa Cruz), B. Johnson (CfA), S. Tacchella (Cambridge), P. Cargile (CfA)

Galaxies, Science

Webb discovers the earliest known galaxy — for now

An Apollo 11 oblique view of the large crater Theophilus located at the northwest edge of the Sea of Nectar on the lunar nearside. Theophilus is about 60 statute miles in diameter. The smooth area is Mare Nectaris. The smaller crater Madler, about 14 statute miles in diameter, is located to the east of Theophilus. Visible in the background are the large crater Fracastorius and the smaller crater Beaumont. This photo was taken July 16, 1969. Credit: NASA.

The ‘highly speculative’ prospect that life once existed on the Moon

Artist's concept of the Lunar Vertext rover

Robotic Spaceflight, Solar System

Vertex Moon mission getting closer to launch

During a test for the Artemis mission in 2022, Orion passes close to the Moon’s surface, with Earth a small crescent in the background. Credit: NASA

Human Spaceflight, Space Exploration

‘Safety is our top priority’: NASA delays Artemis Mission until 2025

OSIRIS-REx sample canister on the ground

Robotic Spaceflight, Solar System

OSIRIS-REx successfully returns samples from asteroid Bennu

Enceladus, in a mosaic taken by the Cassini spacecraft. Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

Alien Life, Science

Phosphate found on Enceladus boosts chances for life