Astronomy Essentials
Tonight
Visible planets and night sky guide for October
Visible planets and night sky guide. Tomorrow morning, look for the moon near bright Jupiter and the star Regulus before they are too far away!
Space
Solar system’s most bizarre moons! Take the tour
The solar system’s most bizarre moons reveal active, complex worlds that continue to surprise scientists. Are any of them harboring life?
Astronomy Essentials

Flashing star in autumn? Here are 3 candidates

Flashing star in October? Discover 3 bright stars that shimmer in red, green and other colors, and find out why they put on this dazzling show.
Sun

Sun news: Bam! Three M-class solar flares today!

Sun news October 6, 2026: Bam! Three M flares! Newcomer AR4549 grew into a monster right at disk center. X-flare possible.
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.
Human World
Space

World Space Week is October 4 to 10. Find events here

World Space Week dates back to 1999 and runs every year from October 4 to 10. This year, the theme is The Rocket Revolution. Find events near you here.
Space

How a helium leak in an exoplanet atmosphere hints at life

A tentative helium detection may offer the 1st glimpse of this exoplanet atmosphere, but we'll need more evidence to know if LHS 1140b could host life.
Earth

What are the world’s loudest birds? Here are 2 contenders

What are the world's loudest birds? Researchers say the bare-throated bellbird and red-legged seriema are 2 major contenders.
Earth

And the Fat Bear Week winner is … Backpack!

Congrats to Backpack, the winner of Fat Bear Week 2026! Take a look at the final brackets and see where your favorite fatties fell.
Human World

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.