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Astronomy Essentials
Tonight
Visible planets and night sky guide for May
Visible planets and night sky guide. Watch for Venus and Jupiter, both shining in the west in the evening sky. They're getting closer together, day by day.
May 16, 2026
Space
Stardust in Antarctica shows Earth crossed a supernova cloud
Stardust in Antarctica reveals the presence of an element that is not naturally made on Earth. But it is created in supernovas. Read more about the evidence.
May 15, 2026
Tonight
Apex of the sun: Look to Vega in May
Apex of the sun shows the direction our solar system moves through space, toward the bright star Vega in the May night sky.
May 15, 2026
Space
Baily’s beads seen during a solar eclipse today in 1836
May 15, 1836: Francis Baily, an English astronomer, saw light shining through lunar ridges during an eclipse of the sun. These are now known as Baily's beads.
May 15, 2026
Space
Psyche mission to fly by Mars on May 15
The Psyche mission will fly by Mars on May 15, 2026. It's getting a boost and course trajectory adjustment as it speeds toward the asteroid Psyche.
May 14, 2026
Today's Image
Perseverance rover takes its 6th-ever selfie on Mars
The Mars Perseverance rover has snapped a new selfie. It has also shared a panorama of the landscape, providing a map of where it will explore next.
May 14, 2026
Earth
The Denali sled dog puppy cam is now live!
The Denali sled dog puppy cam is now live! Watch this year's recruits tumble and play in Alaska at the Denali Kennels. Read more about the sled dogs here.
May 14, 2026
Favorite Star Patterns
The Southern Cross: your guide to due south
There's no bright star marking due south from the Southern Hemisphere. But the Southern Cross points the way.
May 14, 2026
Favorite Star Patterns
How to see the Southern Cross from the Northern Hemisphere
The Southern Cross can be seen from the Northern Hemisphere, as long as you're below 26 degrees north and know when and where to look!
May 14, 2026
Space
Skylab – America’s 1st space station – 53 years later
Skylab was America's 1st space station. 3 crews lived and worked there for over 171 days, studying the sun and Earth and setting records for life in space.
May 14, 2026
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