From disappearing planets to dragon‑born fireballs, the October skies will play a few tricks this month, but they’ll be nothing but treats for skywatchers. As the daylight wanes and the evenings grow longer, October is one of the best months to step outside, look up, and enjoy the crisp and clear night skies that feel […]
The Perseids are back! One of the year’s brightest and most popular meteor showers has been ramping up since early July and will sparkle in the skies through the end of August. The shower reaches its peak on the night of Aug. 12 into the early morning of Aug. 13, and its visibility should be […]
We’re at the onset of summer skywatching, with a double feature of the Southern Delta Aquariids and alpha Capricornids in July and the dazzling Perseids approaching in August. Before we step outside to enjoy the celestial fireworks, we’re kicking off the season by observing Meteor Watch Day and Asteroid Day, both today, June 30. Meteors […]
Sometimes, space comes to us! Texas, Ohio, California, Michigan – these are just a few of the states where folks have recently seen the skies illuminate with bright streaks of light. For those lucky enough to spot a fireball, or “shooting star,” the moment can feel awe-inspiring and exciting, and many of you have been sharing stunning visuals from these events. At NASA, where watching the skies is part of our everyday mission, we’ve noticed […]
For two decades, NASA’s Automated Lunar and Meteor Observatory has helped scientists track meteors, observe impacts on the Moon, and better understand the space environment future explorers will face. For a fraction of a second, a tiny rock traveling through space can strike the lunar surface or streak across the sky producing a brief burst […]
This year will be busy for avid skywatchers, with some incredible opportunities to view meteor showers, planets, and the Moon in the night sky. In 2026, we will also mark the 20th anniversary of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Observatory. Originally established as an engine test site in 1958, it was converted to a solar […]
By Jessica Barnett The Perseids remain one of the best meteor showers each year, but stargazers will have to deal with another bright object in the sky obscuring their view as the shower reaches its max in 2025. A waning gibbous Moon will brighten the skies as it rises on the nights of Aug. 12 […]
Heads up, skywatchers! The Southern delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks the night of July 30 into the early morning hours of July 31. But before you grab your blanket and bug spray, let’s dial things in a bit. At NASA, we love a good meteor shower – we have cameras dedicated to watching them! But we also love […]
By Wayne Smith Ahh, spring. Trees are budding, flowers are blooming. Birds are singing and baseball is back. As the old English proverb says, April showers bring May flowers. And skywatchers will soon have an additional reason to enjoy nature’s regeneration – the Eta Aquariid meteor shower, which will streak across the night sky following […]
By Wayne Smith The Lyra constellation in the Northern sky is known as a memorial to music thanks to being named after the lyre, a musical instrument similar to a harp. The small constellation is also the namesake from where the annual Lyrids meteor shower radiates. The Lyrids are expected to peak on the night […]
