Sun
Sun news: Bright aurora last night! In some places, visible through clouds
Sun news for October 11, 2026. Aurora through the clouds. An all-sky camera at the Geophysical Institute in Fairbanks, Alaska, caught the northern lights early on October 11, from 2:08 to 2:27 a.m. local time (10:08 to 10:27 UTC). The fisheye lens takes in the whole sky dome. Despite patchy clouds, a diffuse green aurora glows throughout. Then, between about 10:18 and 10:24 UTC, brighter green ribbons and patches flare up and drift across the sky. The display followed yesterday's G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm, sparked when the CME from AR4549's M6.7 flare slammed into Earth. Image via Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Clusters Nebulae Galaxies
Check out the Double Cluster in Perseus on October evenings
The Double Cluster in Perseus is a breathtaking pair of open star clusters, easy to see in October. Here's how to find it in your sky.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tonight

Mercury after sunset and great for Southern Hemisphere!

Southern Hemisphere, look for Mercury after sunset. It's your best shot at seeing the planet in your evening sky all year.
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.
Astronomy Essentials

Meteor shower guide 2026: Up next … the Orionids

The best viewing times for the Orionid meteor shower will be during the dark hours before dawn around the mornings of October 21.