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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.
October 9, 2026
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.
October 9, 2026
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.
October 9, 2026
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.
October 9, 2026
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.
October 9, 2026
Astronomy Essentials
Tonight
Visible planets and night sky guide for October
Visible planets and night sky guide. Orionid meteors are coming soon. Watch a video here. Southern Hemisphere observers, look for Mercury after sunset.
October 9, 2026
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.
October 8, 2026
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.
October 8, 2026
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.
October 8, 2026
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.
October 8, 2026
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