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.
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.
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.
Astronomy Essentials
Tonight

Visible planets and night sky guide for July

EarthSky's visible planets and night sky guide. This evening, look for the thin crescent moon in the west near brilliant planet Venus and the star Regulus.
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.
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.
Today's Image

Best deep-sky photos of June 2026 from EarthSky community

Enjoy this gallery of deep-sky photos from June 2026 by our EarthSky community. If you have a great photo to share, we'd love to see it!
Tonight

Find Polaris and Thuban via the Big Dipper in July

Polaris and Thuban are famous for serving - now or thousands of years ago - as Earth's northern pole star. Use the Big Dipper to find them tonight.
Sun

Sun news: A fiery sunspot region is showing its nose

Sun news July 16, 2026: A hidden sunspot region behind the southeast limb is already leading flare production, firing a C8.9. Is a returning region inbound?
Human World
Space

Giant space mirror approved to test sunlight on demand

The Federal Communications Commission has approved a test of a giant space mirror, despite fears that this could harm ecosystems, people and science.

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