See Sparks of Lightning on Mars and the Launch of the First Private Space Telescope

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Read news from the world of astronomy for the week of December 5, 2025.

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This week in the world of astronomy, see sparks of lightning on Mars for the first time and the launch of the first private space telescope. Plus, download this month's Sky Tour podcast.

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The Gift of Warmth (and Whimsy)

An idea for the stubborn winter stargazer on your holiday list (especially if it's you!)

First Private Space Telescope Launches Successfully

A small space telescope may signal a big new trend for modern astronomy.

Tiny Sparks of Lightning Detected on Mars for the First Time

The microphone on NASA’s Perseverance rover unexpectedly heard tiny claps of thunder from sparks caused by colliding dust grains.

Boosting the Gravitational Wave Background

Why is the gravitational-wave background stronger than expected?

The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Celebrates 30 Years in Space

The groundbreaking mission designed to observe our Sun and its interactions with Earth celebrates three decades in space this week.

The Sun's Poles Are Different Than We Expected

A new analysis of the Sun’s poles shows how a “conveyor belt” moves within our nearest star.

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Observing Highlights

This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 5 – 14

The Moon, waning away from full, groups up with Jupiter, Castor and Pollux on two nights. Later in the week the Geminid meteor shower comes into full bloom.

December Podcast: Find the “Demon Star”

During December you can watch for some impressive shooting stars and spend some time with the “Demon Star,” which can’t decide how bright it wants to be.

Presented by: Celestron.

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Hofstra University Science and Engineering Festival

Hofstra University is hosting the first Science and Engineering Festival of Long Island (SEFLI) on Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at its David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

Webb’s Cosmos, the astronomy book everyone will want!

Explore breathtaking cosmic images and captivating discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope — revealing the universe as we’ve never seen it before.

From a trusted S&T partner