Astronomy

March 4, 2026

March 4, 1979: Voyager 1 images Jupiter’s ring

Today in the history of astronomy, a ring is found around a gas giant – and it’s not Saturn.

Astronomy

March 3, 2026

The March 3 total lunar eclipse: a recap

It was slow, beautiful celestial geometry in action.

Astronomy

March 3, 2026

2026 Full Moon calendar: When to see the Full Moon and phases

The next Full Moon is the March Worm Moon, which occurs at 6:38 a.m. EST on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. It will also bring a total lunar eclipse...

Astronomy

March 3, 2026

March 3, 1959: Pioneer 4 launches

Today in the history of astronomy, the first American spacecraft leaves Earth’s orbit.

Astronomy

March 3, 2026

The Moon

The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. Whether enjoying a lunar eclipse or observing the Moon's surface, it has many fascinating featur...

Astronomy

March 2, 2026

How to observe the March 3 total lunar eclipse

On March 3, the Moon will change colors as it passes through Earth’s shadow. Here's how to watch it happen.

Astronomy

March 2, 2026

March 2, 2004: Rosetta launches

Today in the history of astronomy, ESA’s comet-chaser starts its journey.

Astronomy

March 1, 2026

March 1, 1966: Venera 3 crashes into Venus

Today in the history of astronomy, the first spacecraft ever to impact another planet hits the venusian surface.

Astronomy

March 1, 2026

Today in the History of Astronomy

Today in the History of Astronomy

Astronomy

March 1, 2026

How to watch the lunar eclipse online

Can't see the Blood Moon from where you are? Watch every stage of the March 3 total lunar eclipse online for free.

Astronomy

March 1, 2026

March 2026: What's in the sky this month?

A total lunar eclipse kicks off March. Jupiter is well placed most of the night, while Venus shines brilliantly and Uranus is easy to find.

Astronomy

February 28, 2026

Feb. 28, 1997: GRB 970228 bursts on the scene

Today in the history of astronomy, observatories are able to track the origin of a gamma ray burst for the first time.

Astronomy

February 27, 2026

Come celebrate 35 years of NEAF

Join the Astronomy staff on April 11-12, for the Northeast Astronomy Forum! Explore the 90,000 sq ft vendor hall, hear from NASA experts, an...

Astronomy

February 27, 2026

Feb. 27, 1942: The birth of solar radio astronomy

Today in the history of astronomy, wartime signal-jamming is thought to be the enemy, but it’s actually the Sun.

Astronomy

February 26, 2026

Feb. 26, 1842: The birth of Camille Flammarion

Today in the history of astronomy, the French astronomer and prolific author is born.

Astronomy

February 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 1976: Comet West reaches perihelion

Today in the history of astronomy, Comet West is an unexpected dazzler.

Astronomy

February 24, 2026

Feb. 24, 1968: Discovery of pulsars is announced

Today in the history of astronomy, the first paper on the strange signals known as pulsars is published.

Astronomy

February 23, 2026

Feb. 23, 1987: Supernova 1987A is spotted

Today in the history of astronomy, the nearest supernova explosion in modern history is sighted.

Astronomy

February 23, 2026

Feb. 23, 1987: Supernova 1987A is spotted

Today in the history of astronomy, the nearest supernova explosion in modern history is sighted.

Astronomy

February 22, 2026

Feb. 22, 1906: The first Trojan found

Today in the history of astronomy, Achilles is the first of a new class of asteroids.

Astronomy

February 21, 2026

Feb. 21, 2019: The farthest-out find

Today in the history of astronomy, the most distant known solar system object is announced.

Astronomy

February 20, 2026

Michael’s Miscellany: Observe Bode’s Galaxy

You’ll find this terrific deep-sky wonder in the northeastern sky after sunset.

Astronomy

February 20, 2026

Feb. 20, 1962: Feb. 20, 1962: John Glenn’s first trip to space

Today in the history of astronomy, the first American orbits Earth.

Astronomy

February 19, 2026

Tips for winter observing if you're an amateur astronomer

Here are a few tips to ensure you're well prepared to observe the skies in this season’s cold weather.

Astronomy

February 19, 2026

Feb. 19, 1994: Clementine enters lunar orbit

Today in the history of astronomy, America returns to the Moon after two decades.

Astronomy

February 18, 2026

February's best new astronomy products

Check out Astronomy’s latest product recommendations: Gary Imm’s The Complete Sharpless Catalog, iOptron’s 8044 MiniPier for small to medium...

Astronomy

February 18, 2026

Feb 18, 1930: Discovery of Pluto

Today in the history of astronomy, Clyde Tombaugh spots ‘Planet X’

Astronomy

February 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 1959: Vanguard 2 launches

Today in the history of astronomy, the world’s first meteorological satellite takes flight.

Astronomy

February 17, 2026

Upcoming Events

Learn about upcoming celestial events that you can observe, such as eclipses, meteor showers, comets, aurorae, conjunctions, and more.

Astronomy

February 16, 2026

Feb 16, 1948: Kuiper spots Miranda

Today in the history of astronomy, the fifth moon of Uranus is discovered.

Astronomy

February 15, 2026

Feb. 15, 1564: The birth of Galileo

Today in the history of astronomy, the scientist who lays much of the groundwork for astronomy is born.

Astronomy

February 14, 2026

Feb. 14, 1980: SolarMax launches

Today in the history of astronomy, a mission to better understand the Sun begins.

Astronomy

February 13, 2026

Rocket storms are stripping Mars of its water

Scientists have discovered a new mechanism for water loss on Mars that may help explain how the Red Planet transformed from a once water-ric...

Astronomy

February 13, 2026

Michael’s Miscellany: Observe the Owl Cluster

You’ll have a hooting good time examining the stars of this wonderful deep-sky object.

Astronomy

February 13, 2026

Feb. 13, 1974: First look at Sgr A*

Today in the history of astronomy, astronomers observe the black hole at the Milky Way’s center for the first time.

Astronomy

February 12, 2026

Watching a star vanish

Astronomers discovered a star in the Andromeda Galaxy that became a black hole without going supernova.

Astronomy

February 12, 2026

Feb. 12, 2001, NEAR Shoemaker touches down on Eros

Today in the history of astronomy, the first spacecraft lands on an asteroid.

Astronomy

February 11, 2026

A solar eclipse will happen February 17

If you’re in the right place, you’ll see the Moon pass in front of the Sun in an annular solar eclipse on February 17.

Astronomy

February 11, 2026

Feb. 11, 2010: NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory launches

Today in the history of astronomy, a new campaign of solar study begins.

Astronomy

February 10, 2026

Magnificent NGC clusters in the winter sky

Explore winter NGC star clusters with our guide to 17 celestial wonders, perfect for amateur astronomers.

Astronomy

February 10, 2026

Analyzing material from a distant space rock

Researchers found that amino acids, the building blocks necessary for life, in samples from asteroid Bennu may have a unique origin story.

Astronomy

February 10, 2026

Feb. 10, 1842: Birth of Agnes Mary Clerke

Today in the history of astronomy, the founder of the history of astronomy is born.

Astronomy

February 9, 2026

Musk in about-face says SpaceX ‘shifted focus’ from Mars to Moon

Entrepreneur announces his company will still pursue a Martian city but will make the moon its ‘initial focus.’

Astronomy

February 9, 2026

Why does the travel time from Earth to Mars vary?

Earth and Mars are constantly moving, but don’t stay a constant distance apart. Plus, spacecraft don’t travel in a straight line to their de...

Astronomy

February 9, 2026

How did ancient astronomers predict solar eclipses?

They relied on centuries of previous observations and the saros cycle: a time period after which nearly identical eclipses repeat.

Astronomy

February 9, 2026

Feb. 9, 1913: The Great Meteor Procession

Today in the history of astronomy, a group of meteors make a puzzling path across the heavens.

Astronomy

February 9, 2026

How did ancient astronomers predict solar eclipses?

They relied on centuries of previous observations and the saros cycle: a time period after which nearly identical eclipses repeat.

Astronomy

February 9, 2026

Feb. 9, 1913: The Great Meteor Procession

Today in the history of astronomy, a group of meteors make a puzzling path across the heavens.

Astronomy

February 8, 2026

Feb. 8, 1969: The Allende meteorite falls

Today in the history of astronomy, one of the oldest objects on Earth drops from the sky.

Astronomy

February 7, 2026

Hubble images globular cluster M72

This faraway, ancient ball of stars may have been captured from another galaxy that passed too close to the Milky Way.