Astronomy

April 21, 2026

April 21, 1994: The discovery of exoplanets

Today in the history of astronomy, the first planets outside our solar system are confirmed.

Astronomy

April 21, 2026

April 20, 2025: Visiting Asteroid Donaldjohanson

On April 20, 2025, a historic space exploration milestone occurs as scientists and space agencies prepare to study the asteroid Donaldjohans...

Astronomy

April 17, 2026

JWST uncovers the Lobster Nebula's firestorm of starbirth

The James Webb Space Telescope recently peered into the massive young cluster Pismis 24 at the core of the Lobster Nebula.

Astronomy

April 17, 2026

First confirmed speakers for Starmus VIII

AI "godfather" and Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, together with Brian May, listed as first confirmed speakers for STARMUS VIII.

Astronomy

April 16, 2026

R Aquarii in X-ray and optical light: A strange relationship

This composite image shows the twisted, close relationship shared by the stars at the heart of the R Aquarii system.

Astronomy

April 16, 2026

April 16, 1972: Apollo 16 launches

Today in the history of astronomy, Apollo 16 sets off for the Moon.

Astronomy

April 16, 2026

April 16, 1972: Apollo 16 launches

Today in the history of astronomy, Apollo 16 sets off for the Moon.

Astronomy

April 16, 2026

Today in the History of Astronomy

Today in the History of Astronomy

Astronomy

April 15, 2026

April 15, 1452: The birth of Leonardo da Vinci

Today in the history of astronomy, the great Renaissance genius is born.

Astronomy

April 14, 2026

A palace on the Moon

Tianyao Yang meticulously planned this composite shot of the Tiangong space station transiting September 2025's lunar eclipse.

Astronomy

April 14, 2026

How to set up a public observing event

Now’s the time to share your love of the sky with others. Here are some expert tips on hosting your own observing event.

Astronomy

April 14, 2026

April 14, 1629: The birth of Christaan Huygens

Today in the history of astronomy, the discoverer of Titan – and much more – is born.

Astronomy

April 13, 2026

See spring’s best galaxies

Galaxy season is here! Dave Eicher highlights the best spring galaxies in Leo, Ursa Major, Coma Berenices, and Virgo — some visible even in...

Astronomy

April 13, 2026

With renewed interest in going to the Moon, how will future trash be dealt with?

Organizations are looking at the problem through three different lenses: preservation, mitigation, and recycling.

Astronomy

April 13, 2026

With renewed interest in going to the Moon, how will future trash be dealt with?

Organizations are looking at the problem through three different lenses: preservation, mitigation, and recycling.

Astronomy

April 13, 2026

April 13, 1941: The death of Annie Jump Cannon

Today in the history of astronomy, the great classifier of stars passes away.

Astronomy

April 12, 2026

April 12, 1981: Columbia lifts off for the first space shuttle mission

Today in the history of astronomy, the era of the space shuttle begins.

Astronomy

April 12, 2026

April 12, 1981: Columbia lifts of for the first space shuttle mission

Today in the history of astronomy, the era of the space shuttle begins.

Astronomy

April 11, 2026

April 11, 1970: Apollo 13 blasts off for the Moon

Today in the history of astronomy, the 'successful failure' mission launches.

Astronomy

April 10, 2026

April 10, 2019: First look at a black hole

Today in the history of astronomy, the first-ever photo of a black hole is released.

Astronomy

April 10, 2026

Artemis 2's heat shield: What to expect on NASA Moon mission’s critical final day

The Integrity spacecraft will need to nail its reentry into Earth’s atmosphere to cap strain on its heat shield.

Astronomy

April 9, 2026

How to watch the Artemis 2 splashdown

Four astronauts return from the Moon Friday. Here's how to watch them come home.

Astronomy

April 9, 2026

How the Artemis crew are protected from radiation and solar storms

NASA mitigates radiation risks with AI-driven space weather forecasting, a solar ‘storm shelter,’ and even a set of eyes on Mars.

Astronomy

April 9, 2026

April 9, 1959: The Mercury 7 debut

Today in the history of astronomy, NASA introduces its first astronauts.

Astronomy

April 8, 2026

April 8, 1960: Frank Drake begins Project Ozma

Today in the history of astronomy, a key SETI project conducts its first research.

Astronomy

April 7, 2026

Decades after Apollo 8, Jim Lovell's voice returns to the Moon

Jim Lovell first flew to the Moon in 1968. Fifty-eight years later, his voice made the trip one more time as part of a special message for t...

Astronomy

April 7, 2026

The stunning photos from Artemis 2's flyby of the Moon

The Artemis 2 crew spent seven hours observing the Moon and a total solar eclipse. Here is what they saw.

Astronomy

April 7, 2026

April 7, 1991: Compton Gamma Ray Observatory is deployed

Today in the history of astronomy, the second of NASA’s four great observatories makes its debut.

Astronomy

April 7, 2026

Where is Carroll Crater? Artemis 2 names crater after commander's late wife

The crew was overcome with emotion as they nominated the name Carroll for a crater "in a bright spot on the Moon."

Astronomy

April 6, 2026

Artemis 2 astronauts fly around moon — and farther than any human

Crew begins a seven-hour lunar observation as NASA returns to the moon’s neighborhood for the first time in decades.

Astronomy

April 6, 2026

As it happened: Artemis 2 flies past Moon, sees a total eclipse

Follow along for live updates as Artemis 2 makes the closest approach to the Moon.

Astronomy

April 6, 2026

How to track Artemis 2 in real time

NASA's AROW tool lets you follow the Orion spacecraft's every move — including tonight's historic lunar flyby, the first by humans since 197...

Astronomy

April 6, 2026

Could this telescope find life on alien worlds?

categories:Alien Life | tags:Alien Life, Exoplanets, Magazine, News

Astronomy

April 6, 2026

How long do planetary nebulae last?

On average, a planetary nebula should remain visible for some 25,000 years before its shell of gas becomes invisible.

Astronomy

April 6, 2026

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

The next Full Moon of 2026 is the May Flower Moon, which will occur at 1:23 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 1.

Astronomy

April 6, 2026

April 6, 2000: A comet tail surprise

categories:Robotic Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy | tags:Comets, News, Robotic Spaceflight

Astronomy

April 5, 2026

How Artemis 2's Easter message echoes Apollo history

There are several parallels between Apollo 8 in 1968 and Artemis 2 in 2026.

Astronomy

April 5, 2026

‘Good gracious!’ Artemis 2 nears the Moon and glimpses its farside

The four crew members are closer to Luna than to our home world, right on course, and viewing parts of the Moon never before seen by humans.

Astronomy

April 5, 2026

April 5, 1973: Pioneer 11 launches

Today in the history of astronomy, a mission to explore the outer planets begins.

Astronomy

April 4, 2026

April 4, 1807: The death of Jerome de Lalande

Today in the history of astronomy, an astronomer, author, and teacher passes away.

Astronomy

April 3, 2026

Artemis 2 snaps a ‘Blue Marble’ for our times

Reid Wiseman captures a striking view of Earth after the crew's translunar injection burn sets them on course for the Moon

Astronomy

April 3, 2026

NASA Artemis 2 astronauts leave Earth for the Moon

Translunar injection (TLI) burn puts the Integrity Orion spacecraft on course for lunar orbit.

Astronomy

April 2, 2026

Artemis Orion spacecraft passes docking demo with flying colors

One of Artemis 2's first major milestones came early, as the crew flew the Orion craft manually to test its maneuverability in simulated doc...

Astronomy

April 2, 2026

Liftoff! Artemis 2 astronauts begin historic Moon mission

Crew starts journey that will take it farther from Earth than any human has ventured.

Astronomy

April 2, 2026

April 2, 1845: The first photo of the Sun

Today in the history of astronomy, two French physicists capture a daguerreotype of our star.

Astronomy

April 1, 2026

Artemis 2 launch coverage: As it happened

For the first time in over half a century, humans have launched to the Moon. Follow the latest in our live launch coverage.

Astronomy

April 1, 2026

Artemis 2’s long countdown

A space historian explains why it has taken over 50 years to return to the Moon.

Astronomy

April 1, 2026

Your guide to NASA’s Artemis 2 Moon mission

Space agency is targeting Wednesday for the historic journey — its first to the moon in more than half a century.

Astronomy

April 1, 2026

April 1, 1995: Hubble images the Pillars of Creation

Today in astronomy history, the Hubble Space Telescope captures one of its most famous photos.

Astronomy

April 1, 2026

Human Spaceflight

Ever since the first human spaceflight on April 12, 1961, humanity has continued to push outward to better understand our solar system and o...