Astronomy

Watch for Fireballs During the 2026 Northern Taurid Meteor Shower The Northern Taurid meteor shower reaches its peak on the night of November 11 into the early morning of November 12, 2026. It will not produce hundreds of shooting stars or fill the sky with constant activity. Instead, it offers something more subtle and unpredictable. […]

The Upcoming New Moon Means You’ll Be Starting the Weekend with a Spectacular View The New Moon of November 2026 arrives at the perfect time for anyone who wants to explore the night sky. With the Moon hidden from sight, its light will not wash out faint stars, distant galaxies, or passing meteors. The result

Two Comets and Three November Meteor Showers November brings three meteor showers to the skies over North America. The Southern Taurids, Northern Taurids, and Leonids arrive within less than two weeks of one another, but they do not all look alike. The two Taurid showers are slow, patient displays known for producing brilliant fireballs. The

The Full Moon of October 26, 2026: The Hunter’s Moon and a Bright Autumn Sky On October 26, 2026, the Moon reaches its full phase at approximately 05:11 UTC. At that precise moment, the Moon will be located opposite the Sun in Earth’s sky. Its near side will be fully illuminated by sunlight, creating the

How to Watch the Orionid Meteor Shower in 2026 Every October, Earth passes through a stream of ancient debris left behind by Halley’s Comet. When those particles enter our atmosphere, they create the fast, bright meteors of the Orionid meteor shower. The Orionids will be active from approximately October 2 through November 7 in 2026.

A bright comet can become one of the most beautiful sights in the night sky. Its glowing head and sweeping tail may remain visible for days or weeks. An asteroid is usually far less dramatic. Most appear as tiny points of light, even through a telescope. Despite their different appearances, comets and asteroids have something

Understanding the Moon’s Phases: A Guide to the Lunar Cycle The Moon is always changing. On some nights it appears as a thin crescent near the horizon. On others it becomes a brilliant circle that lights the landscape until morning. Between these familiar shapes are several phases that repeat in a dependable cycle. People have

The Draconids Will Streak Across a Dark Sky in October 2026 The Draconid meteor shower returns to the Northern Hemisphere every October. 2026 promises to be a good year for viewing, thanks to dark skys resulting from the upcoming new moon. This is usually a quiet meteor shower, but it has a fascinating history of

Saturn at Opposition on October 4, 2026 Saturn reaches opposition on October 4, 2026, giving skywatchers their best opportunity of the year to see the famous ringed planet. Saturn will be brighter than usual, visible throughout the night, and well placed for observation with the unaided eye or a telescope. You do not need any

The Full Moon of September 2026: The Harvest Moon and the Beginning of Autumn On September 26, 2026, the Moon reaches its full phase at 11:49 a.m. Central Daylight Time. At that precise moment, the Moon will be located opposite the Sun in Earth’s sky. Its near side will be fully illuminated by sunlight, creating

Star Gazing Season has begun Autumn begins with a moment of balance. On the autumnal equinox, the Sun crosses the celestial equator and moves southward. Day and night are nearly equal in length across much of the world. In the Northern Hemisphere, this event marks the astronomical beginning of fall. In 2026, the autumnal equinox

The Full Moon and Partial Lunar Eclipse of August 27-28, 2026: The Sturgeon Moon and a Rare Celestial Event On August 27, 2026, the Moon reaches its full phase at 10:19 Central Time (04:19 UTC on August 28). At that exact moment, the Moon will be positioned on the opposite side of Earth as the

The Lights of Summer, See the Full Buck Moon and a Summer Sky Filled with Shooting Stars On July 29, 2026, the Moon reaches its full phase at 14:37 UTC. At that exact moment, the Moon will be located on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, allowing its entire near side to be

The Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower: How to Enjoy Summer’s Graceful Shooting Stars There is something magical about watching a meteor silently streak across the night sky. For just a brief moment, a tiny fragment of cosmic debris burns brilliantly in Earth’s atmosphere, creating what many people call a “shooting star.” Whether you make a wish

The Summer Triangle: Your Guide to One of the Night Sky’s Most Beautiful Landmarks On warm summer evenings, as twilight slowly fades and the stars begin to appear, one of the easiest and most rewarding sights in the northern sky emerges overhead. Unlike a constellation, this celestial landmark is made up of three brilliant stars