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Editors of EarthSky
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!
October 31, 2025
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.
October 29, 2025
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.
October 17, 2025
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.
October 14, 2025
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.
October 8, 2025
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.
October 1, 2025
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 1, 2025
How many stars can you see on a moonless night?
Have you ever wondered how many stars are visible on a given night? It all depends on how dark your sky is, what your age is, and other limiting factors.
September 23, 2025
We have 4 seasons each year, but why?
Some assume our planet's changing distance from the sun causes the 4 seasons. But it's actually the tilt of the Earth's axis.
September 21, 2025
Radiant point of meteor showers: All you need to know
Meteors enter Earth's atmosphere on parallel paths. So, you'll see meteors appear to come from a single point in the sky: the radiant point!
September 15, 2025
