Astronomy January 2014

Top 10 space stories of 2013
by Liz Kruesi
Astronomers refined the composition and age of the universe, our galaxy's biggest black hole unraveled a gas cloud, and a massive meteoroid exploded above Russia.

Curiosity's latest findings from Mars
by Sarah Scoles
In August 2012, NASA's newest rover landed in Mars' Gale Crater. From finding ancient streambeds to analyzing hundreds of samples, the rover has kept busy helping scientists learn about the planet's habitability.

How much water is on the Moon?
by Robert Zimmerman
If frozen water fills some of the Moon's craters, the supply could quench future colonists' thirst. But reality might be more complicated.

Comet ISON's final stab at glory
by Richard Talcott
This visitor should remain a fine binocular object as it skims near the North Star during its retreat.

Target 12 kinds of globular clusters
by Rod Pommier
A century ago, astronomers Harlow Shapley and Helen Sawyer divided globulars into a dozen types. Find out what makes them different.