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A white light of the comet 3I/ATLAS is surrounded by a blue glow against a black background

Latest Comet 3I/ATLAS news: One day until the comet is closest to Earth!

By Tariq Malik, Daisy Dobrijevic, Anthony Wood last updated

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025: Your daily feed for the holiday flyby of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS by Earth.

Comets
A red glowing light surrounded by black edges with cracks of black throughout the image

Scientists detect X-ray glow from interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS extending 250,000 miles into space

By Samantha Mathewson published

A rare interstellar comet has been caught in X-rays by two space telescopes, revealing how its gases interact with charged particles from the sun as it travels through the inner solar system.

Comets
three images next to each other, with a close up of the sun on the left, a red and green northern lights display on the top right and a close up of Earth in the bottom right of the image

Will 2026 bring strong auroras? What the sun's recent activity tells us

By Ryan French published

2025 was another busy year on the sun. But how did it compare with 2024, and what will 2026 bring for solar activity and the northern lights?

Auroras
Artist's impression of the NASA Terra satellite

On this day in space! Dec. 18, 1999: NASA launches Terra Earth-observing satellite

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On Dec. 18, 1999, NASA launched its flagship Terra satellite into Earth's orbit to collect data about Earth's changing climate.

Launches & Spacecraft
A series of purple drones come together in the night sky above a still lake to create a 3D image of planet Earth with the continent of Africa seen and reflected in the lake

As above, so below: Earth in the sky | Space photo of the day for Dec. 18, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

This 3D rendering of our planet was part of France's Festival of Lights celebration.

Technology
a triple-core rocket blasts off under a sunny, partly cloudy blue sky. smoke expands below next to an obscured launch tower, near a long white hanger with SPACEX written on the side. To the left, a bird flies away.

Rocket launch today: Is there a rocket launch and what time?

By Josh Dinner, Tariq Malik last updated

Follow Space.com's rocket launch blog for the latest on when the next rocket launch will be and how to follow it live.

Launches & Spacecraft
graphic with night sky in large font and silhouettes of people below looking up at the night sky.

Night sky tonight: See the Orion Nebula shine after dark on Dec. 18

By Jamie Carter published

Find out what you can see in the night sky for tonight, from planets and stars to dazzling meteor showers.

Stargazing

What time will interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS be closest to Earth tonight?

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

NASA JPL pinpoints the moment the interstellar visitor passes closest to our planet.

Comets
Hommkiety Galaxy Projector

Which is the best star projector for under $50 this Christmas?

By Alexander Cox published

After testing and reviewing countless star projectors over the years, we're putting the very best head-to-head to determine which is the best for under $50 this Christmas.

Technology
A family opening presents while wearing festive hats in front of a lit up tree.

10 gifts under $100 to transform any space-loving kid's bedroom

By Grace Dean published

Totally transform a kid’s bedroom into a hub of space exploration without breaking the bank this holiday season.

Technology
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