Earth
Will El Niño become supersized? What experts are saying
El Niño is here. But will it become supersized? NOAA says there's a 90% or greater chance for El Niño to become "very strong" between September and January.
Sun
Sun news: Sun-observing spacecraft sees a solar eclipse
Sun news September 1, 2026: The GOES-19 satellite caught Earth passing in front of the sun over the past day. Take a look at this eclipse!
Astronomy Essentials
Tonight

Visible planets and night sky guide for September

Visible planets and night sky guide: Look for the moon close to Saturn tonight. Plus Jupiter is returning at dawn. Watch the new "this week's sky" video.
Space

Pioneer 11: Watching the Saturn watchers

On the 50th anniversary of the launch of Pioneer 10, Patty Winter recalls the day that Pioneer 11 passed the rings of Saturn.
Human World

Sapphire: September birthstone comes in many colors

Sapphire, the September birthstone, is typically blue, the color caused by small amounts of titanium and iron in the crystal structure.
Earth

Giant trees break a decades-old science theory

Giant trees have evolved remarkable adaptations that allow them to reach extreme heights while maintaining efficient water transport.
Earth

Lake Powell hits record low, continues to drop

Lake Powell has hit its lowest level ever. Despite the monsoons, like the flash floods that hit Grand Canyon over the weekend, water levels continue to drop.
Space

Roman space telescope has launched! You can adopt a pixel

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched on August 30, from the Kennedy Space Center. Want to add your name to a pixel? Find out how here!
Astronomy Essentials

Do the planets revolve around the sun? Not exactly

Do the planets revolve around the sun? Not exactly. The sun and planets orbit a common center of mass, which, right now, is outside the sun.
Earth

Do you love twilight? The 3 stages explained

Twilight is that magical time between sunlight and darkness. Astronomers, experts on nighttime, recognize 3 stages of twilight.