WATCH LIVE: NASA's Artemis 2 astronaut mission heads toward the moon

NASA's Artemis 2 astronaut mission is headed for the moon. Watch its progress live here and check out our live Artemis 2 moon mission updates.

NASA's Artemis II Live Views from Orion - YouTube NASA's Artemis II Live Views from Orion - YouTube
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Skywatching

A castle ruin is in the foreground of the image with a subtle pink hued sky and a bright full moon.

Full moon calendar 2026: When to see the next full moon

By Tariq Malik last updated

Reference The full moon happens about once a month. Find out when.

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Reference

Night sky, April 2026: What you can see tonight [maps]

By Jules-Pierre Malartre last updated

Reference Find out what's up in your night sky during April 2026 and how to see it in this Space.com stargazing guide.

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

Night sky tonight (April 2) — See the the near-full moon shine with Spica

By Jamie Carter last updated

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

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Stargazing
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Spaceflight

satellite aerial view of the Florida coast and a long white plume stretching along the atmosphere showing Artemis 2 launch.

NASA's Artemis 2 moon launch seen from space | Space photo of the day for April 2, 2026

By Robert Lea published

NASA's Artemis 2 has launched on a history-making journey around the moon and back, and the moment was captured from space.

Artemis
The failed Mercury-Redstone 1 (MR-1) launch on Nov. 21, 1960 (at left) and successful MR-1A lift off on Dec. 19, 1960.

On this day in space: April 2, 1959: NASA celebrates first birthday by selecting the Mercury Seven

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On April 2, 1959, NASA selected a group of astronauts in training for the Mercury project.

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Launches & Spacecraft
Online, users can follow AROW to see where Orion and the Artemis 2 crew are in relation to the Earth and the Moon and follow Orion’s path during the mission.

How to track the Artemis 2 astronauts on their journey around the moon

By Mike Wall published

You can follow the Artemis 2 astronaut mission around the moon in real time, thanks to a NASA website.

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Artemis
graphic showing orion spacecraft flying close to the moon.

Watch Artemis 2 fly through space in real time with this telescope livestream tonight

By Robert Lea last updated

A Virtual Telescope Project livestream aims to track NASA's Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft — here's how to watch it as it travels through space.

Artemis
NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission launches from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026.

NASA just launched Artemis 2. What happens today could make or break the moon mission

By Mike Wall published

Artemis 2 is gearing up for a critical engine burn this evening (April 2), which will send the mission's four astronauts on a looping journey around the moon.

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Artemis
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Science & Astronomy

A stunning image of the star forming region W51 created by the JWST

Stunning new James Webb Space Telescope images reveal 'hidden' stars being born

By Robert Lea published

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have investigated the star-forming region W51, resulting in stunning new images.

James Webb Space Telescope

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2026

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 2026.

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Space Photo of the Day

a white-and-orange rocket rolls out of a large hangar at night

Artemis 2 moon rocket rolls back to launch pad | Space photo of the day for March 20, 2026

By Brett Tingley published

NASA's Space Launch System rocket was back on the move overnight ahead of its second mission to the moon, which will be the first time the vehicle carries a crew.

Space Exploration
SpaceX's Ship 39 looks cool as it undergoes cryosystem checks on Sunday March 8

SpaceX's Ship 39 is so cool in Starship V3 test | Space photo of the day for March 9, 2026

By Robert Lea published

SpaceX engineers tested Ship 39's propellant system, leading to some stunning images.

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Space Exploration
An image of RCW 36 in which the Milky Way nebula appears like a vast cosmic bird of prey

Cosmic Hawk spreads its wings| Space photo of the day for March 6, 2026

By Robert Lea published

The Milky Way nebula RCW 36 resembles a stunning cosmic bird of prey in an incredible Very Large Telescope image.

Galaxies
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Entertainment

a blonde girl in sunglasses and her white dog

'Supergirl' goes full John Wick to save her dog Krypto in new trailer

By Jeff Spry published

"There's no home without you, buddy."

Space Movies & Shows
Obi-Wan Kenobi wielding one of the best lightsabers.

Best lightsabers 2026: Toys, replicas, and props

By Alexander Cox last updated

Become the Jedi Master or Sith Lord you were born to be by adding one of the best lightsabers to your collection this holiday season.

Space Toys & Lego
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What's Up In Space Today

Search For Life

The SETI Institute's Allen Telescope Array in Northern California searches for radio signals that could have been generated by intelligent alien life.

Where are all the aliens? Maybe they just don't want to talk to us

By Leonard David published

A civilization capable of interstellar travel may also be one that has moved beyond conquest, excess and ecological self-destruction — and it therefore may not want to talk to us.

19 Comments
Search for Life
Artist's illustration of a free-floating "rogue" planet and its Earth-like moon.

No sun, no problem? How life could thrive on moons of starless 'rogue' planets

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Exomoons orbiting rogue planets could host liquid water for billions of years, offering potential habitats for life deep in interstellar space.

Search for Life
The SETI Institute's Allen Telescope Array in Northern California searches for radio signals that could have been generated by intelligent alien life.

Where are all the aliens? Maybe space weather is scrambling their transmissions

By Keith Cooper published

We may be missing alien radio signals because they have become smeared beyond the narrowband detectors that SETI utilizes, a new study suggests.

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Search for Life
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Technology

DJI Avata 360 In flight

DJI Avata 360 drone review

By James Abbott published

Review The DJI Avata 360 is DJI’s first 360-degree drone that can be flown like a camera or FPV (first-person view) drone using a motion controller and DJI FPV goggles.

Review
A hand is holding a mobile phone with a VPN on while a laptop with the same VPN screen is in the background, on a plain surface.

Best VPN services we recommend 2026

By Alexander Cox last updated

The best VPN services don't just help keep you safe online, protecting your privacy, you can stream your favorite shows wherever you are, from Maul: Shadow Lord through to the final season of The Boys.

Technology

NASA Artemis 2 gifts we love: Mark today's launch with these picks

By Rich Owen last updated

NASA's Artemis 2 blasts off to the moon today and that's no joke! Join the mission with this stellar collection of space-flight merchandise, from Lego and hoodies to mission patches and metal posters.

Technology
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