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Sun
Sun news: Awaited sunspot region numbered AR4491
Sun news July 17, 2026: The fiery southeast newcomer is now AR4491. It stayed the top flare producer, and M flare chances jumped from 10% to 25% today.
July 17, 2026
Favorite Star Patterns
Coathanger cluster: This star pattern looks like its name
The Coathanger cluster resembles its namesake and is easy to spot with binoculars, using the star Albireo - part of the Summer Triangle - as a signpost.
Space
Hidden planet found around nearby star Beta Pictoris
Astronomers have found a hidden planet orbiting the star Beta Pictoris. This previously unseen world is now the faintest planet ever imaged from Earth.
July 16, 2026
Earth
Wildfire smoke is choking Canada, Great Lakes and Northeast
Wildfire smoke is pouring across Canada and into the US in the Great Lakes and Northeast. These areas will continue to see poor air quality into the weekend.
July 16, 2026
Astronomy Essentials
Tonight
Visible planets and night sky guide for July
EarthSky's visible planets and night sky guide. The crescent moon meets the star Regulus this evening. Look for earthshine on the unlit part of the moon.
July 16, 2026
Space
Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact on Jupiter 32 years ago
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 hit Jupiter in 1994, 32 years ago, scarring the planet's surface and leaving behind water that remained in the atmosphere for decades.
July 16, 2026
Constellations
Hercules the Strongman and a great globular cluster
Hercules the Strongman is a great constellation to view in Northern Hemisphere summer. With binoculars you can see Hercules' remarkable star cluster, M13.
July 16, 2026
Space
Titan and Pluto share same mysterious molecule: What is it?
Scientists have discovered a unknown molecule on both Titan and Pluto. It's a puzzle, since the 2 worlds are so different from each other.
July 15, 2026
Earth
How the monsoon could impact wildfires in the American West
A monsoon could impact wildfires in the American West. Monsoonal rains can bring relief, but they can also bring gusty winds and lightning.
July 15, 2026
Earth
How does smoke from wildfires affect birds?
Smoke from distant wildfires can affect birds in several ways, such as through changes in health, vocalization behavior and migratory patterns.
July 15, 2026
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