compiled by Arlene & David Kaplan

-BBC

The best space images of 2019
With some blockbuster space missions under way, 2019 saw some amazing images beamed back to Earth from around the Solar System. Meanwhile, some of our most powerful telescopes were trained on the Universe’s most fascinating targets. Here are a few of the best…more

space.com

The Biggest Black Hole Findings of 2019
Black holes are dark spots in the fabric of space-time, incredibly dense singularities with such strong gravity that nothing can escape their clutches. They spend their time doing one thing: gobbling up matter…more

-BBC

Distant star’s vision of our Sun’s future ‘death’
A newly discovered planet offers new insights into the Solar System after the Sun reaches the end of its life in 5-6 billion years. Astronomers observed a giant planet orbiting a white dwarf, the small, dense objects some stars become once they have exhausted their nuclear fuel…more

-BBC

Mars rover aims to grab a piece of history
British engineers have begun testing technologies that will be needed to bring samples of Martian rock to Earth. The Airbus team is training a prototype rover to recognize and pick up small cylinders off the ground…more

-BBC

Satellite constellations
Astronomers are warning that their view of the Universe could be under threat. From next week, a campaign to launch thousands of new satellites will begin in earnest, offering high-speed internet access from space. But the first fleets of these spacecraft, which have already been sent into orbit by US company SpaceX…more

-BBC

SpaceX satellites spotted over Derbyshire
Stargazers across Derbyshire were startled when they saw what appeared to be a new “constellation” in the night sky. The near-perfect line was in fact formed by the Starlink, satellites launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX company earlier this year. They were spotted across Derbyshire and the Peak District…more

-SpaceX

Evolution of SpaceX’s Rockets
SpaceX began in 2002, when its founder, Elon Musk, took the first steps in his grand ambition to send a mission to Mars. More than 15 years later, the company is way beyond the space startup stage. The Hawthorne, California-based company regularly reuses rockets, sends cargo missions to the International Space Station…more

-space.com

Best Night Sky Events of January 2020
See what’s up in the night sky for January 2020, including stargazing events and the moon’s phases, in this Space.com gallery courtesy of Starry Night Software…more