StarDate 11/12/14: Making Methane
There's a problem with Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. There's a fair amount of methane in its atmosphere and in its big lakes.
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There's a problem with Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. There's a fair amount of methane in its atmosphere and in its big lakes.
A partial solar eclipse will be visible from the Bay Area later this month.
Low clouds made for poor visibility in the Bay Area, but several great photos of the event were snapped elsewhere. Here are a few of the best.
The 2014 summer of supermoons comes to an end Monday as the orbit brings full moon to its closest point to earth for the final time this year.
If you thought July 4th's fireworks were exciting, wait until you see a ball of fire explode overhead in the annual Perseid Meteor Shower, set to peak Tuesday night with 100 shooting stars each hour, and continue for several days afterward.
Sunday night's supermoon was the brightest and closest to earth in 20 years, but if you missed it, there is still another spectacular full moon is on tap for September.
The future of space exploration may involve soaring above moons in a mothership and deploying drone-like explorer to probe the surface.
Watch the sky for the next Supermoon as it shines this Sunday...
Space pioneer and Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin Eugene "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. is looking toward the next giant leap, a manned mission to the planet Mars.
45 years ago, America landed a man on the moon, and years from now, NASA and Tesla founder Elon Musk hope to have already landed a man on Mars, using Musk's SpaceX rocket in a public-private partnership that turns the Apollo program model on its head.
If you missed Saturday's supermoon, don't worry, you ain't seen nothin' yet as the August 2014 supermoon will be the closest the moon comes to earth all year, and should be the best of the five supermoons of 2014 as it passes within 221,765 miles of us.
If you find yourself out gazing at a supermoon with a special someone, here are a few facts to help you impress them because you can actually tell them why the moon looks so huge, and where the term 'supermoon' came from.
Jupiter's moon Europa is one of the most intriguing bodies in the solar system. Its icy crust appears to cover a global ocean that could be many miles deep.
Early risers are in for a skywatching treat at first light Tuesday morning — a close pairing of the crescent Moon and the planet Venus. Venus looks like a dazzling star just to the left or upper left of the Moon.
The Saturn-orbiting Cassini spacecraft passed an important milestone back in March: It made its 100th close pass by Titan, the planet's largest moon. Stardate has the details on how this was achieved.
Regulus is the bright heart of Leo, the celestial lion. It's several times bigger and heavier than the Sun, and hundreds of times brighter. Its most interesting feature, though, is its shape. Instead of a nice, round ball, it's shaped more like a round jelly doughnut.
he skywatching weekend gets off to a ghostly start this evening with an encounter between the Moon and the planet Mercury. The Moon looks like a pale version of its full glory. And Mercury is as elusive as a ghost — a planet that's rarely seen.
The hours between midnight and dawn tonight offer skywatchers both promise and potential. StarDate promises a beautiful encounter between the moon and the "morning star".
Like a herald announcing the approach of a king, the planet Saturn leads the full Moon across the sky tonight.
NASA's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) crashed into the surface of the moon late Thursday night, but controllers are thrilled about the impact after a successful mission studying what little atmosphere the moon has.
The Moon and the planet Saturn stage quite a performance tonight. They rise in late evening, with bright golden Saturn quite close to the upper left of the Moon.
The star patterns that form pretty pictures in the night sky are all temporary. Over time, their shapes will change, erasing the old pictures and creating new ones. It's not something that's visible in a human lifetime — or, with a few exceptions, in a hundred lifetimes.
Tonight is one of the best skywatching nights of the year. The planet Mars blazes through the night like a brilliant orange beacon, with the bright star Spica nearby. But what really elevates the night is a total lunar eclipse, which takes place just a few degrees away from Mars.
An innovative, relatively low-cost spacecraft built in the Bay Area was launched from the Virginia coast late Friday on a mission to study the moon's ultra-thin atmosphere and the pervasive dust that blankets its cratered surface.
While the big game will be played at Levi's Stadium, some businesses in the South Bay say they're only getting a small slice of the economic pie.
Now in its 22nd year, the Puppy Bowl has become one of Super Bowl Sunday's most beloved traditions, pairing playful competition with a serious mission: promoting the adoption of shelter dogs.
BART officials are warning of deep service cuts and station closures if Bay Area voters reject a proposed regional sales tax measure on the November ballot.
A house in San Bruno erupted into flames Friday afternoon following a shooting at the location, authorities said.
A service honoring the "Hello Girls," women who served as bilingual telephone operators in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I, is set for this weekend at a cemetery in Colma.
While the big game will be played at Levi's Stadium, some businesses in the South Bay say they're only getting a small slice of the economic pie.
Now in its 22nd year, the Puppy Bowl has become one of Super Bowl Sunday's most beloved traditions, pairing playful competition with a serious mission: promoting the adoption of shelter dogs.
BART officials are warning of deep service cuts and station closures if Bay Area voters reject a proposed regional sales tax measure on the November ballot.
A house in San Bruno erupted into flames Friday afternoon following a shooting at the location, authorities said.
A service honoring the "Hello Girls," women who served as bilingual telephone operators in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I, is set for this weekend at a cemetery in Colma.
Now in its 22nd year, the Puppy Bowl has become one of Super Bowl Sunday's most beloved traditions, pairing playful competition with a serious mission: promoting the adoption of shelter dogs.
BART officials are warning of deep service cuts and station closures if Bay Area voters reject a proposed regional sales tax measure on the November ballot.
A house in San Bruno erupted into flames Friday afternoon following a shooting at the location, authorities said.
A service honoring the "Hello Girls," women who served as bilingual telephone operators in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I, is set for this weekend at a cemetery in Colma.
The San Francisco Unified School District is alerting parents to get ready for schools to be closed on Monday as a deal to head off a teachers' strike appears far from being reached.
Three men charged in the 2021 fatal shooting in Oakland of retired Bay Area police Sergeant Kevin Nishita have pleaded no contest ahead of a murder trial, prosecutors announced Friday.
One East Bay school district is putting a limit on the number of AP and honors classes high school students can take, saying they're trying to protect kids' mental health.
A 90-year-old man has been charged in connection with a vehicle collision with a pedestrian in November that resulted in her death in December, authorities said.
Sponsored by the USAA insurance company, Rich and his wife Alexia, who live in Richmond, will get tickets to the game, a hotel on Union Square, and attend other weekend events.
A total of 19 people were arrested in separate anti-human trafficking operations conducted by the Oakland Police Department and the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force.
While the big game will be played at Levi's Stadium, some businesses in the South Bay say they're only getting a small slice of the economic pie.
Two men have been arrested as suspects in the shooting death of a 17-year-old in San Jose earlier this week, police said Friday.
As Super Bowl LX approaches, multiple road closures are in place near Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara and for game-related events in San Francisco and San Jose.
Authorities in Monterey County have launched investigations following the recent discoveries of two skulls and other human remains.
Police in San Jose are searching for a driver following a hit-and-run collision that killed a pedestrian last week.
A bank employee was among three people arrested in a series of armed home invasion robberies in Marin County of people who had withdrawn large amounts of cash, authorities said.
A man who was arrested on child sexual abuse charges in Illinois is facing additional charges in the San Francisco Bay Area in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a child, police said.
Four suspects remain at large and two were arrested after an armed robbery at a Petaluma jewelry store on Saturday, police said.
A Bay Area environmental group is pushing for more restrictions and protection at one of the largest shale reefs in North America. As part of its proposal to the state, all fishing would be banned.
Yountville Commons will be located adjacent to City Hall at the site of the old Yountville Elementary School, which closed in 2000 because there weren't enough children in the town to keep it open. It will include about 120 affordable homes inside a large new public park.
As Super Bowl LX approaches, multiple road closures are in place near Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara and for game-related events in San Francisco and San Jose.
Don't miss the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Here's how to watch live, stream for free and catch replays.
Former San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig, a record-setting dual-threat player as a runner and receiver, was elected as one of the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was awarded the league's Comeback Player of the Year at the NFL Honors event on Thursday evening.
Bad Bunny says he wants to bring his culture to his 2026 Super Bowl halftime show Sunday.
Three men charged in the 2021 fatal shooting in Oakland of retired Bay Area police Sergeant Kevin Nishita have pleaded no contest ahead of a murder trial, prosecutors announced Friday.
Two men have been arrested as suspects in the shooting death of a 17-year-old in San Jose earlier this week, police said Friday.
A bank employee was among three people arrested in a series of armed home invasion robberies in Marin County of people who had withdrawn large amounts of cash, authorities said.
A 90-year-old man has been charged in connection with a vehicle collision with a pedestrian in November that resulted in her death in December, authorities said.
Authorities in Monterey County have launched investigations following the recent discoveries of two skulls and other human remains.
"Right now we have the Wild West. I want to see some rules of the road," said Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
The Northern California Regional Intelligence Center said suspicious conduct or criminal activity flagged by law enforcement will be entered into its database, where it "can link the locations to the information and really tie it all together in near-real time."
A former Google engineer has been convicted on multiple federal charges for stealing the tech giant's trade secrets on artificial intelligence to benefit Chinese companies he secretly worked for, federal prosecutors said.
The rideshare company is getting into the business of providing real-world driving data to autonomous vehicle developers. Here's why.
Waymo announced Thursday that its robotaxi service is now available to and from San Francisco International Airport, ahead of upcoming major events in the Bay Area including the Super Bowl and World Cup.
Health officials in the East Bay said a man has died from consuming toxic wild mushrooms, amid an ongoing spike in mushroom-related poisonings throughout California.
Health officials in Napa County confirmed Wednesday that a child has been diagnosed with measles in the county's first case in nearly 15 years.
Over the years, Dr. Rachel Forer has found plenty of ways to take the sting out of going to the dentist. But no matter how hard she tried, fear had a way of creeping in.
Officials in San Mateo County are the latest in the Bay Area to warn residents to not forage for wild mushrooms, amid a rise in mushroom poisonings that have led to illnesses and even deaths.
The Bay Area's Spare the Air alert has been extended to at least Saturday as a high-pressure system is expected to hang around and impact air quality.
The footage is included in a video that promotes false claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged against Mr. Trump.
President Trump said he is directing all federal law enforcement to be at the "complete disposal" of Savannah Guthrie's family as the search continues for her mother, Nancy Guthrie.
The Supreme Court declined to block California's new congressional map that could net Democrats five seats in the upcoming midterm elections.
Voters in San Francisco are set to decide on a proposed charter amendment that would restrict lawmakers to serving two terms for life, following a decision by the Board of Supervisors.
"Right now we have the Wild West. I want to see some rules of the road," said Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
The billionaire and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $45 million to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention and advocacy for LGBTQ young people.
Oasis nightclub announced plans to close six months ago. New Year's Eve was slated for the final performance. A last-minute, multi-million dollar donation turned the final curtain call into an encore performance.
A 16-year FBI employee has filed a lawsuit alleging he was fired last month because he had a Pride flag displayed near his desk.
A group of transgender members of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force forced to leave active duty under the Trump administration's policies say their benefits were revoked in a rare move.
California state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco announced Wednesday that he is running for Nancy Pelosi's congressional seat next year.
Don't miss the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Here's how to watch live, stream for free and catch replays.
Bad Bunny says he wants to bring his culture to his 2026 Super Bowl halftime show Sunday.
People enjoyed the food with numerous vendors lining Grant Avenue. The main attraction, though, was on the stage as legends from the sports world talked about why representation matters to them.
While Bad Bunny's halftime show is expected to be the marquee attraction, dozens of performances across San Francisco and the South Bay are set to draw music lovers in the days leading up to kickoff.
Many Super Bowl 60 ads are already online, along with teasers for commercials that will be unveiled during the NFL championship on Feb. 8.
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oakland Unified School District has seen an alarming spike in the number of unhoused students in the school system who deal with a host of challenges far beyond what most children face.
Meteorologist and CBS News Bay Area's resident pilot Lt. Jessica Burch got a treat during Fleet Week, taking to the skies with one of the Blue Angels.
A Bay Area man discovered his devastating loss left him with a new opportunity to rethink how he lives -- follow his journey in virtual reality, 360-degree video.
A groundbreaking medical study involving the UCSF Medical Center has shown some colorectal cancer patients can safely skip radiation treatment and enjoy a potentially higher quality of life.
Every day, San Francisco bar pilot Captain Zach Kellerman goes through what might just be the world's most dangerous commute.
While the big game will be played at Levi's Stadium, some businesses in the South Bay say they're only getting a small slice of the economic pie.
Now in its 22nd year, the Puppy Bowl has become one of Super Bowl Sunday's most beloved traditions, pairing playful competition with a serious mission: promoting the adoption of shelter dogs.
Max Darrow took a flight before the joint flyover Levi's Stadium.
Two of the three men who have attended every Super Bowl say this year will be their final one.
BART is laying out a worst-case scenario if Bay Area voters don't bail out the agency in November. Da Lin reports.
In 2025, KPIX is moving to a new community service award: the CBS News Bay Area Icon Award. Submit nominations for an outstanding community hero at kpix.com/icon.
It's the most wonderful time of the year for a South Bay woman who has played Mrs. Claus for more than 40 years for the children of North San Jose's Alviso District.
For residents of the Oakland Hills, the prospect of another wildfire always remains a concern. This week's Jefferson Awards winner has made it his mission to make the hills and other high-risk areas safer.
In East Palo Alto -- where state education numbers show more than nine in ten public school students are low income and more than half are English learners -- many are finding hope and connection at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula.
This week's Jefferson Award winner is Army veteran who continues to live a life of service into his 80s, by feeding hundreds of San Francisco families a week.
A Bay Area man who overcame tremendous obstacles to excel in school has made it his mission to gear up other students for success in the classroom and in life.
For Students Rising Above scholar Josh Collins it took moving across the country to realize the value of his Bay Area family.
Samir Hooker had to grow up fast after his stepfather was shot dead 12 years ago. Now he is watching over his mom and sister while attending UC Berkeley.
It's hard enough to graduate from one of the most prestigious schools in the country when you're the first in your family to go to college. Imagine doing that while you're also trying to protect your parents from being deported?
Some students who are the first in their families to go to college face the challenge of balancing a rigorous academic load while still working to help support their family back home.