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The Eclipse and Other Memorable Moments in Astronomy of 2017

A total solar eclipse is seen on August 21, 2017 above Madras, Oregon.
NASA/Aubrey Gemignani
A total solar eclipse is seen on August 21, 2017 above Madras, Oregon.

The March for Science drew thousands of science supporters, but the science event of the year was the Great American Eclipse, with millions of viewers highlighting an unexpected enthusiasm. Missions to Jupiter and Saturn also grabbed headlines. Gravitational wave researchers scored a Nobel Prize, and then announced an even bigger accomplishment – both seeing and hearing a neutron star collision. And President Trump calls for a return to deep space, at the expense of earth science. We talk with Regina Jorgenson of the Maria Mitchell Association on Nantucket about the top space and physics stories of 2017. 

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