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Editors of EarthSky

Amazing aurora photos capture the ‘sky on fire’

Stargazers saw vivid reds and greens paint the sky the night of November 11, 2025, as auroras dipped into southern-US latitudes and beyond. Aurora photos here!

Halley’s Comet is Edmond Halley’s namesake. Happy birthday, Edmond!

Astronomer Edmond Halley is famous for predicting the return of the comet that we now know as Halley's Comet. Edmond was born on November 8, 1656.

Almach, a quadruple star system in Andromeda

With the eye alone, Almach looks like a single star. Through a telescope, it looks like a colorful duo. But Almach is really a 4-star system.

November birthstone: Choose either topaz or citrine

The November birthstone, topaz, comes in lots of colors. It's a much-loved gemstone in jewelry, with myths that date to ancient times. Or choose citrine.

Algol the Demon Star, named for its strange behavior

What's the scariest star in all the heavens? It's Algol the Demon Star, and you can see it on autumn evenings. Click in to learn the secret of Algol's creepiness!

Hurricane Melissa hits Jamaica and Cuba, heads toward Bermuda

Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica just after 1:00 p.m. EDT on October 28, 2025. Some 70% of the country is still without power.

Comet Halley is the parent of 2 meteor showers

The famous comet Halley spawns both the October Orionid meteor shower and the May Eta Aquariid meteor shower. It'll return to the inner solar system in 2061.

Large and Small Magellanic Clouds shine in southern skies

Have you seen the Magellanic Clouds? These 2 satellite galaxies of the Milky Way are noticeable features in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere.

How high up are meteors when they begin to glow?

How high up are meteors when they begin to glow? Meteors begin to glow almost as soon as they hit Earth's atmosphere, but vaporize at varying altitudes.

Are Humberto and Imelda undergoing the Fujiwhara effect?

Humberto and Imelda are “crowding” the Atlantic basin. They are relatively near each other. Humberto appears to be exerting a “pull” on Imelda.