Skywatching

A figure stands silhouetted, with a beam of light reaching up to the sky

Best flashlights 2026: Enhance your stargazing with these powerful, portable light sources

By Jase Parnell-Brookes last updated

Buying Guide Whether you're night-trekking or skywatching, the best flashlights are just what you need to illuminate your equipment and keep your evening accident free.

Buying Guide

Severe G4 geomagnetic storm sparks jaw-dropping northern lights worldwide (photos)

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

A fast CME slammed into Earth on Jan. 19, unleashing hours of intense auroral activity and lighting up skies far beyond the poles.

Auroras
A sunset over a lake with a silhouette of an island right underneath the setting sun

Total solar eclipse 2030: Everything you need to know about totality in southern Africa and southeast Australia

By Jamie Carter published

Reference The total solar eclipse on Nov. 25, 2030, will mainly cross the Indian Ocean, but views will be possible from Australia, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Lesotho.

Reference
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Spaceflight

a woman talks into a radio handset while her hair floats in zero gravity around her

Record-setting astronaut Suni Williams retires from NASA after 27 years

By Mike Wall published

Astronaut Suni Williams left NASA late last month after 27 years of service. She spent a total of 608 days in space, more than all but one other American astronaut.

Human Spaceflight
Miss Sam, a rhesus monkey,, is seen in her with fiberglass couch for launch on a Mercury spacecraft.

On this day in space: Jan. 21, 1960: 'Miss Sam' the rhesus monkey launched into space

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On January 21, 1960, a monkey named Miss Sam launched on a Little Joe rocket to help NASA test the launch escape system for its new Mercury spacecraft.

Launches & Spacecraft
An illustration of two satellites with opposing solar panels on either side floating above the glowing blue atmosphere of Earth

US Space Force awards 1st-of-its-kind $52 million contract to deorbit its satellites

By Mike Wall published

"This contract reflects both the value of affordable servicing missions and the technical readiness of the Otter."

Launches & Spacecraft
The Crew-11 astronauts return to Ellington Field in Houston on Jan. 16, 2026. From left to right: NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Japan’s Kimya Yui and cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.

NASA's Crew-11 astronauts to discuss medical evacuation from International Space Station today: Watch it live

By Mike Wall published

The four astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-11 mission will discuss their shorter-than-expected stay aboard the International Space Station today (Jan. 21), and you can watch it live.

Human Spaceflight
An Isar Aerospace Spectrum rocke lifts off from Andoya Spaceport in Norway on March 30, 2025 on its first flight.

Watch private German rocket attempt history-making launch from Norway today

By Mike Wall published

Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket will try to become the first vehicle ever to reach orbit from European soil today (Jan. 21), and you can watch the action live.

Launches & Spacecraft
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Science & Astronomy

An illustration shows a spiral of hot dark matter spewing forward from the Big Bang

You're getting warmer! Hot dark matter could refine cosmic game of hide and seek

By Robert Lea published

"Dark matter can be red hot when it is born, but still have time to cool down before galaxies begin to form."

Dark Universe
A field filled with stars and covered by clouds of gas and dust. In the centre, a thick column of dark black dust blocks light from stars that light it up from behind. More clouds behind those stars are illuminated in pale colours. Complex, layered filaments of red dust lie to the left and right. Blue, white and gold stars in various sizes can be seen around, within and through the colourful layers of dust.

Hubble sees baby stars in Large Magellanic Cloud | Space photo of the day for Jan. 21, 2026

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

The Large Magellanic Cloud, or LMC, is a key spot for astronomers to study star formation.

Hubble Space Telescope
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Space Photo of the Day

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Entertainment

An illustrated image from the Mandalorian and Grogu movie

Save 33% and watch Disney+ for just £3.99 a month. Don't miss out, this offer ends in January!

By Rich Owen published

Deals With a host of exciting new Marvel and Star Wars releases landing this year, Disney Plus is the streaming subscription to have in 2026 and now it's a third cheaper with this UK-only deal.

Deals

An armada of 8,000+ Elite Dangerous players just embarked on a three-month expedition to explore the Milky Way, and there's still time to join them

By Ian Stokes published

To explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no one has gone before!

Space Games
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What's Up In Space Today

Search For Life

artist's impression of a pulsar ejecting vast pulses of radiation.

Astronomers searching for alien life are sharpening our cosmic clocks. Here's why

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Tiny delays in pulsar signals measured by SETI scientists could aid the search for gravitational waves and extraterrestrial life.

Search for Life
Images from the SETI@home project, including a screenshot of the SETI@home data and a man looking at a large computer with the same screen

This SETI program is chasing down its final 100 signals. Could one of them be from aliens?

By Keith Cooper published

SETI@home has been one of the largest citizen science projects ever, with millions of users around the world.

Search for Life
An illustration of three different space telescopes, with various solar panel arrangements, over a colorful space background with red and green dust and stars

NASA funds new tech for upcoming 'Super Hubble' to search for alien life: 'We intend to move with urgency'

By Josh Dinner published

The observatory will combine tech from NASA's most powerful space telescopes.

Search for Life
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Technology

Best stargazing apps: Image shows person holding mobile up to starry night sky

Best stargazing apps 2026: Navigate the night sky with these AR apps and virtual star maps

By Jase Parnell-Brookes last updated

Buying Guide Looking for the best stargazing apps to learn about the night sky? We've rounded up our favorites right here.

Buying Guide
Autel EVO Lite+_Drone in flight (16 by 9)

The best drone deals 2026: Save big and fly high

By Alexander Cox last updated

We've rounded up the best drone deals from a range of reputable retailers as top names are currently discounted.

Drones
Best beginner drones being flown by a child

Best beginner drones 2026: Take to the skies for the first time

By James Abbott last updated

Our picks of the best beginner drones are all easy to use but still offer excellent flying experiences with a good range of features, from brands including DJI and Potensic.

Drones
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