Astronomy Essentials
2026 Eta Aquariid meteor shower best before dawn on May 5
May's Eta Aquariid meteor shower is best in 2026 on the morning of May 5. Find a way to block the moonlight and watch in the hours before dawn.
Earth
Western US wildfires less frequent, but more massive
A look at western US wildfires over the past 30 years shows they are becoming less frequent, but fires that pop up are also larger and more damaging.
Moon Phases

Tomorrow’s full moon is the Flower Moon and a micromoon

The 1st May full moon happens on May 1. It'll look full on the nights before and after that, too. The 2nd May full moon - a Blue Moon - will fall on May 30-31.
Space

Falcon rocket will hit the moon on August 5

A Falcon 9 rocket will hit the moon on August 5, 2026. How fast will it be going? Will we be able to see it? Answers and more here.
Sun

Sun news: Solar wind could disturb Earth’s magnetic field

Sun news for April 30, 2026: Fast solar wind from a coronal hole could bring G1 (minor) geomagnetic storms tonight. Auroras are possible at high latitudes.
Earth

5 amazing places to see migrating birds in spring

Birding during spring migration season can be particularly rewarding. Here are 5 amazing places to see migrating birds this spring.
Astronomy Essentials
Tonight

Visible planets and night sky guide for April and May

Visible planets and night sky guide. This evening, the bulging gibbous moon - approaching full - hangs near Spica, the brightest star in Virgo the Maiden.
Tonight

Hercules is between 2 bright stars: Vega and Arcturus

The bright stars Arcturus and Vega can help you find the constellation Hercules and its Keystone asterism. Hercules is home to 2 fabulous globular clusters.
Space

Euclid Space Warps: Help spot galaxies bending spacetime!

New citizen science project Space Warps lets you study new Euclid space telescope data to find galaxies bending the fabric of the universe.
Astronomy Essentials

What is a micromoon? We have 2 coming in May

What is a micromoon? It's a full or new moon near its farthest from Earth for the month. Depending on your definition, 2026 has either 2 or 3 full micromoons.