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Posts by
Editors of EarthSky
Mercury after sunset and great for Southern Hemisphere!
Southern Hemisphere, look for Mercury after sunset. It's your best shot at seeing the planet in your evening sky all year.
October 9, 2026
Astronomy Essentials
Meteor shower guide 2026: Up next … the Orionids
Up next is the Orion meteor. They are best viewed around the mornings of October 21. Check EarthSky's meteor shower guide here.
October 9, 2026
Astronomy Essentials
We fly between the sun and Saturn. At opposition today
Don't miss Saturn at opposition on and around the night of October 4, 2026. That's when our planet Earth passes between the sun and Saturn.
October 4, 2026
October birthstone: Colorful opal and tourmaline
Take your pick: the October birthstone is either the striking iridescent opal or the many-colored tourmaline. Learn the lore of these pretty gemstones here.
October 3, 2026
Watch for the daytime moon after sunrise this week
Watch for the beautiful daytime moon this week, a pale orb floating against a blue sky in the morning hours. Look west! You'll see it!
September 29, 2026
Neptune at opposition on September 26, 2026
Neptune at opposition -- when it's opposite the sun on the sky's dome -- comes on September 26, 2026. You'll need optical aid to spot it.
September 25, 2026
Astronomy Essentials
Seeing Saturn’s rings: Top tips for beginners
If you want to see Saturn's rings, late September and early October 2026 is a great time to look. Grab a telescope and read the tips found here!
September 25, 2026
Full moon names by the month and by the season
Lists of common full moon names — both by month and by season — for North America. And a word about full moon names in the Southern Hemisphere.
September 24, 2026
Are day and night equal on the equinox? Not exactly
Are day and night equal at an equinox? No. There's slightly more day than night on the day of an equinox. Find out why here.
September 22, 2026
The equinox sun rises due east and sets due west
The 2026 September equinox occurs at 00:05 UTC on September 23, 2026. And the equinox sun rises and sets due east and due west.
September 20, 2026
