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Astronomy Essentials
Tonight
Visible planets and night sky guide for October
Visible planets and night sky guide. The most fascinating of the bright planets — Mars — is getting brighter as it approaches its February 2027 opposition. And Mars is currently in the Beehive!
October 10, 2026
Sun
Sun news: A farewell M flare from a surprising source
Sun news, October 10, 2026: Farewell blast from the far side of our sun. Active region AR4547 delivered an M1.3 flare from beyond the solar horizon.
Earth
Isaias is a major hurricane, headed for the Gulf Coast
Hurricane Isaias is the 1st hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season. It is now a major hurricane, making landfall around midnight tonight near Pensacola.
October 9, 2026
Space
Another satellite breakup raises concerns about space junk
An inactive Soviet weather satellite has broken apart above Earth. The satellite breakup has added tens of debris fragments to an already crowded low-Earth orbit.
October 9, 2026
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
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
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
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