Solar System

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The 3I/Atlas comet brightening by an unexpected about as it approaches the sun

Interstellar invader Comet 3I/ATLAS is still full of surprises — an unexpected brightening has scientists baffled

By Robert Lea published

"The reason for 3I’s rapid brightening, which far exceeds the brightening rate of most Oort cloud comets at similar distances, remains unclear."

Comets
A still showing the eye of Hurricane Melissa subdivided into smaller holes in swirling white clouds

Satellite images show 'mesovortices' forming around the eye of deadly Hurricane Melissa

By Elizabeth Howell published

Footage from a NOAA satellite taken Oct. 28 shows Melissa’s deadly spin as it moves across the Caribbean.

Earth
An artist's illustration of the Halloween Asteroid 2015 TB145, which looks much like a skull from certain angles. The asteroid flew harmlessly by Earth on Oct. 31, 2015 and will return in November 2018.

On this day in space! Oct. 31, 2015: Skull-shaped Halloween asteroid flies by Earth

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On October 31, 2015, an asteroid shaped like a human skull flew by Earth. It arrived with excellent timing on Halloween, which made the already-creepy asteroid even creepier.

Asteroids

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2025

By Tariq Malik, Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2025.

Reference

November full moon 2025: The Beaver supermoon will be the biggest and brightest of the year

By Jesse Emspak last updated

November's full Beaver Moon will occur on Nov. 5 and will be the biggest and brightest moon of 2025.

The moon
A photo of a hurricane from space, showing spots of blue ocean beneath heavily swirling white clouds

Peering into the eye of Hurricane Melissa | Space photo of the day for Oct. 30, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

Europe's Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite captured high-resolution views inside the eye of the powerful Hurricane Melissa.

Earth
A blue ball of light shines between streaks of blueish light from stars in outer space

You won't see interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS zoom closest to the sun on Oct. 30 — but these spacecraft will

By Keith Cooper published

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will make its closest pass to the sun on Oct. 30, and various spacecraft will be watching, seeking clues about the icy wanderer's chemistry and composition.

Comets
A gray scale image shows a plume of energy coming from the center of the image

Sun's far side erupts in satellite image | Space photo of the day for Oct. 29, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

A massive coronal mass ejection erupted from the sun's far side late on Oct. 21, 2025 and was captured by a NOAA coronagraph.

The Sun
An illustration of an astronaut wearing white standing on the edge of a giant crater on the moon

Can we find water ice on the moon? Only if we know where to look, scientists say

By Leonard David published

Space agencies around the world are planning moon missions that will depend on water ice for resources, but much remains unknown about its availability of water ice on the lunar surface.

The moon
close up view of the sun with two bright "eyes" and a large coronal hole that looks like a smiling mouth.

NASA spots a spooky face glowing on the sun just in time for Halloween (photo)

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

A haunting grin appeared on the sun as bright active regions and dark coronal holes combined to create a jack-o'-lantern face just in time for Halloween.

The Sun
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