Sun
Sun news October 4: BAM, X9 flare! Largest of solar cycle
Sun news update for October 4, 2024. The sun blasted its biggest flare of the solar cycle so far: an X9. Plus, auroras on the way!
Space
Dwarf planet Ceres might have been a muddy ocean world
Ceres - a dwarf planet in the main asteroid belt - may once have been a muddy ocean world. That makes it a great target for future spacecraft missions.
Tonight

Visible planets and night sky guide for October

Visible planets and night sky guide for October 2024. Mars will rise before midnight and will be obvious before dawn. Replay of Wednesday's eclipse here.
Clusters Nebulae Galaxies

Double Cluster in Perseus on October evenings

The Double Cluster in Perseus is a breathtaking pair of open star clusters, easy to see in October. Here's how to find it in your sky.
Space

Puffy exoplanet WASP-107 b has an asymmetric atmosphere

New observations by the Webb space telescope show that the giant exoplanet WASP-107 b has an asymmetric atmosphere between its western and eastern hemispheres.
Earth

Sea robins use their legs to taste the seafloor

Northern sea robins have 3 leg-like fin extensions, in front of each pectoral fin, with sensory organs that can taste the seafloor to detect buried prey.
Astronomy Essentials

Flashing star in autumn? Here are 3 candidates

Some October night, check out 3 of the flashiest stars in the night sky ... at least at this time of year. And here's why you see these as a flashing star.
Earth

GOES-19 first light images show stunning view of Earth

The GOES-19 satellite achieved 1st light and is now in beta mode. This Earth-observing satellite is already sending back stunning views of our home planet.
Astronomy Essentials

Annular solar eclipse today! See a ring of fire

Today, an annular solar eclipse will cross over parts of South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and Antarctica. Watch a livestream here.
Space

A striped ‘zebra rock’ on Mars and a new Mars face

NASA's Perseverance rover has found an unusual striped 'zebra rock' on Mars unlike any rocks seen before. How did it form and how did it get there?

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