Space
Did formaldehyde on ancient Mars help kickstart life?
Formaldehyde in the ancient rains on Mars might have provided crucial chemical reactions needed for life to begin on the red planet billions of years ago.
Today's Image
Smile mission releases its stunning 1st aurora footage!
The Smile mission has shared its first footage of Earth's auroral oval at the North Pole, and it's a stunner! Read more about the mission here.
Tonight

Mercury is farthest from the sunset on October 12

The innermost planet, Mercury, will be 25 degrees from the sun at greatest elongation at 10 UTC on October 12. Look for it shortly after sunset.
Earth

Why leaves change color in the autumn

Did you know the vivid colors of autumn leaves are there throughout spring and summer, but hidden? Here's why leaves change color in the fall.
Sun

Sun news: Activity high after a powerful M flare

Sun news, October 9, 2026: Bam! AR4549 fired an M6.7 flare and a burst of sun-stuff. Meanwhile, geomagnetic storms and auroras are on the way.
Space

Black holes could have planets, new simulations suggest

New simulations by 2 astrophysicists suggest that supermassive black holes could have planets orbiting them, much like planets orbit stars.
Earth

Hurricane Isaias is the 1st hurricane of the Atlantic season

Hurricane Isaias has become the 1st hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season. It should bring dangerous storm surge to the Gulf Coast Friday and Saturday.
Astronomy Essentials
Tonight

Visible planets and night sky guide for October

Visible planets and night sky guide. Don't miss tonight's Draconid meteor shower! The Orionids are coming soon, too. Watch a video and see charts here.
Space

Hera mission hits the brakes to arrive at asteroid

The Hera mission will hit the brakes Thursday as it slows down to reach Dimorphos. This asteroid is the site of a human-made impact in 2022.
Astronomy Essentials

The ghost of Biela’s Comet: It created a storm and disappeared

November's Andromedid meteor shower is from the ghost of Biela’s Comet. It stunned observers in the 1800s, breaking up and producing meteor storms.