Let's all meet up in the year 2000! It was a tumultuous decade for the world, but we can't deny that the new millennium brought with it some fantastic sci-fi TV shows.

We're continuing our march through time to rank the best sci-fi TV shows of every decade. We started way back in the 1950s and since then we've barrelled through the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, but now it's time for Y2K to hit. This was a time in Hollywood when visual effects tricks and technology started trickling down to television, and the results were some damn fine sci-fi TV. We were blessed with a beautiful blend of new ideas and reboots of classic franchises that pushed the boundaries of the genre.

So, let's gas up the time machine and venture boldly into this alluring list of the 10 best sci-fi shows of the 2000s. Follow along and see how many of your must-watch series made the final countdown!

10. "Invader Zim"

Original Air Dates: 2001-2006 | Seasons: 2 | Cast: Richard Horvitz, Rosearik Rikki Simons, Andy Berman, Melissa Fahn

Doom! We had to add one quirky animated sci-fi series onto our list, as this was the decade when more mature animated projects rose to their prominence on channels like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.

Formulated around a tiny tyrannical alien named Zim (Richard Steven Horvitz) who was sent here by the Irken Empire on a mission to our solar system with his wonky robot named GIR to enslave Earth, he soon learned conquering a planet isn’t exactly easy. "Invader Zim" is the brainchild of comic book writer and cartoonist Jhonen Vasquez, and its sophisticated, esoteric humor and distinctive design style were far ahead of its time.

The 2019 Netflix animated film, "Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus" will have you rolling in riotous laughter! This weird franchise still has a massive following that includes a 2015-2020 comic book series from Oni Press, a gorgeous Abrams art book, and even a spinning theme park ride!

9. "Andromeda"

Original Air Dates: 2000-2005 | Seasons: 5 | Cast: Kevin Sorbo, Lisa Ryder, Keith Hamilton Cobb, Lexa Doig

If you‘ve never seen "Andromeda", then you're in for a real treat as this enormously entertaining series from the fertile mind of "Star Trek's" Gene Roddenberry deserves a coveted place on our list.

Derived from Roddenberry's never-used material, developed by Robert Wolfe, and produced by his widow, Majel Barrett, "Andromeda" was a Canadian and American production led by charismatic Systems Commonwealth starship captain Dylan Hunt (Kevin Sorbo) ("Hercules: The Legendary Journeys"), who finds himself 300 years into the future after being stuck near a time-dilating black hole.

He awakes in a very different universe controlled by Nietzschean and Magog aliens after civil war rages. Hunt teams up with a motley group of mercenaries to traverse the cosmos while hoping to revitalize the Commonwealth and restore peace.

The sentient spaceship named the Andromeda Ascendant was a cool touch, and the show's upbeat nature won over loyal genre audiences. Later seasons suffered from rotating writers, but it still has evergreen appeal!

8. "Stargate: Atlantis"

Original Air Dates: 2004-2009 | Seasons: 5 | Cast: Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, David Hewlett, Jason Momoa

This fan favorite Sci-Fi Channel TV series, often abbreviated as SGA, was a spin-off from sci-fi smash hit "Stargate-SG1" (itself a spinoff of the 1994 "Stargate" feature film directed by Roland Emmerich).

The narrative chronicled an international gang of scientists and military folks that stumble across a Stargate network deep in the Pegasus Galaxy and its insidious alien antagonists called The Wraith.

Starring Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett, and Rachel Luttrell, "SGA" lasted 99 episodes over the course of five seasons and concluded with the titular city splashing into the Pacific Ocean near California's landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge. With its great cast chemistry, arresting visuals, realistic relationships, smart writing, and natural tonal balance, "SGA" still rocks.

Plus, it co-starred a young Jason Momoa as the team’s badass Satedan warrior, specialist Ronon Dex!

7. "Star Trek: Enterprise"

Original Air Dates: 2001-2005 | Seasons: 4 | Cast: Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating

Had it not been for the bewildering series finale episode, this timely and thoughtful "Star Trek" prequel would have ranked a lot higher.

Created by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga and starring Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer, "Enterprise" told the story of Earth's first Warp 5 starship, the Enterprise NX-01, and her valiant crew exploring space back in the fledgling days of Starfleet a century before James T. Kirk.

The UPN Network was this show’s home base and after a couple seasons of standalone chapters, the creators introduced an overarching plot known as the Temporal Cold Wars and its alien adversaries, the Xindi, with a mystery figure from the future appearing sporadically to issue dire warnings.

Some standout performances from the cast, especially John Billingsley’s Dr. Phlox and Janine Blaylock's T'Pol, helped the show grow on fans until it was cancelled by Paramount after four seasons. This would mark the end of "Star Trek" TV that would last 12 years until "Star Trek: Discovery."

Fans may have hated the cheesy Velveeta-like theme song, "Where My Heart Will Take Me!", but you can't deny that this show had strength of the heart.

6. "Star Wars: The Clone Wars"

Original Air Dates: 2008-2013 | Seasons: 7 | Cast: Tom Kane, Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, James Arnold Taylor

"Star Wars: The Clone Wars" was Lucasfilm’s first venture into CG animation, unspooling the titular galactic clash set between the events of "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones" and "Star Wars: Revenge of the Jedi."

Here we witness noble Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi along with Anakin's Padawan learner Ahsoka Tano as they command the Galactic Republic's clone army against Count Dooku’s Separatist Alliance during that storied time in "Star Wars" lore known as The Clone Wars.

This cherished series from George Lucas and Supervising Director Dave Filoni is still being tapped for characters such as Clone Force 99, Cad Bane, Saw Gerrera, and Bo-Katan Kryze in more recent "Star Wars" shows like "The Bad Batch," "The Mandalorian," and "Andor."

After initially airing on the Cartoon Network for five seasons, it made the leap to Netflix for season six and finally closed out its influential run for season seven on Disney+ in 2020.

5. "Doctor Who"

Original Air Dates: 2005-2025 | Seasons: 15 | Cast: Christopher Eccleston, David Tenant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, Jodie Whittaker, Ncuti Gatwa.

Ah, the half-decade of Christopher Eccleston’s 9th Doctor and David Tennant’s 10th Doctor showcased as our official Time Lords from Gallifrey was a wonderful experience with many fan favorite episodes like Dalek, "The Doctor Dances," "Blink," "Midnight," and "The End of Time."

This was a crucial period for "Doctor Who" as the beloved series had just endured a long 15-year hiatus since 1989 and this was the resurrection of the venerable British sci-fi adventure show. The modern revival was orchestrated by producer Russell T. Davies and a lot was riding on its success straight out of the gate.

Their adventurous TARDIS trips along the time stream helped bolster the show’s global fanbase with new and old recruits to kick off one of the most fruitful periods in "Doctor Who's" existence.

The show's future is up in the air at the moment, but he's hoping it brings that 2000s Who energy with it when it returns.

4. "Battlestar Galactica"

Original Air Dates: 2004-2009 | Seasons: 4 | Cast: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, Tricia Helfer

Few shows stirred up more hardcore sci-fi fans’ delight than this remake of the old "Battlestar Galactica" space opera show from the late 1970s. But instead of being a family affair, this time around Ronald D. Moore and his writing staff amplified the grim joyless aspects of this ragtag fleet of colony ships trying to fin d a shining planet called Earth before the evil Cylons annihilated them.

Based on Glen A. Larsen’s brighter and more humorous version, this highly-regarded dark reboot was found on the Sci-Fi channel (now SYFY) for four seasons after a 2003 3-hour miniseries aired. Its gritty military-leaning stories carried a somber post-9/11 feel that seemed appropriate for a fractured world needing a serious reality check.

The ensemble cast included Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, and Grace Park. During its Emmy Award-winning 74-episode run aboard the Galactica colony ship while being pursued by the android antagonists, this last vestige of civilization helped define what it was to be human with dignity.

3. "Firefly"

Original Air Dates: 2002 | Seasons: 1 | Cast: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin

Has it really been nearly 25 years since Captain Mal Reynolds and his Browncoat smugglers visited us weekly on the Fox network for one single season?

Conceived by executive producer and creator Joss Whedon of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "The Avengers" fame, "Firefly" was a one-and-done space western starring Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, and Jewel Staite.

Although Fox unceremoniously pulled the plug after only 14 episodes, "Firefly" did spawn the 2005 feature film, "Serenity," and in the proceeding years a passionate cult following has grown that spans toys, comic books, prose novels, a robust fan art community, and even a themed cookbook.

Loyal followers of the franchise have been clamoring for a live-action revival for ages to no avail, but we truly are getting a shiny new official "Firefly" animated series from 20th Television Animation soon.

2. "Lost"

Original Air Dates: 2004-2010 | Seasons: 6 | Cast: Naveen Andrews, Emilie de Ravin, Matthew Fox, Jorge Garcia

We're heading back to the iconic island to once again immerse ourselves in the prophetic numbers, the puzzling timeline, polar bears, smoke monsters, and the totally bonkers wrap-up that alienated fans. Welcome to "Lost," a dreamy pop culture phenomenon not seen since David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" in the '90s.

It was must-see TV for millions who debated all the symbols, signs, and clues to dissect around the water cooler. The sci-fi mystery box centered around a group of plane crash survivors on a strange island that was once the home of a scientific think tank called the Dharma Initiative.

It could have been the show of the decade, with a mythology dense enough to sustain ten million flash-sideways headaches., but it collapsed under its own narrative weight towards the end, once ABC milked six seasons out of creators J.J. Abrams, Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof.

1. "Fringe"

Original Air Dates: 2008-2013 | Seasons: 5 | Cast: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, Lance Reddick, Kirk Acevedo

Don’t even try to argue with us or we’ll zap you into the alternate universe faster than you can whip up a Strawberry Supreme Shake.

Technically this remarkable show crosses decades, but it first aired in 2008 so it qualifies. Fox's paranormal sci-fi series was absolutely beyond its time and still holds up well over a decade after its five-season run ended.

Here, eccentric scientist Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble) teams up with his son Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) and Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) in the FBI’s Boston-based Fringe Division to solve a series of bizarre happenings and deaths relating to a recently discovered parallel mirror world and its many technological secrets.

This is the best thing that creators J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci have ever done and we were all grateful to have experienced its exceptional storytelling, superb acting, and conceptual sci-fi themes that nailed the finale perfectly.

The gift that kept on giving was "Star Trek's" Leonard Nimoy portraying biotech genius Dr. William Bell, a role that Nimoy’s son, Adam, recalled was a bonafide favorite of his father's.

An annular solar eclipse will occur on Feb. 6, 2027, when the moon's cone-shaped central shadow will not quite reach Earth. The result will be a 'ring of fire' visible to those within a broad path across southern Chile, Argentina and coastal parts of West Africa.

At the point of greatest eclipse in the Pacific, the moon will cover 93% of the sun's disk, leaving a relatively large bright ring visible for 7 minutes and 51 seconds. That makes it one of the longest annular solar eclipses this decade.

During an annular solar eclipse, it is NEVER safe to look directly at the sun without solar eclipse glasses designed for solar viewing. Read our guide on how to observe the sun safely.

This annular solar eclipse has a long and broad path, rising southwest of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) in the south Pacific Ocean and setting in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa.

That journey is 9,011 miles (14,501 kilometers), with the path between 180-220 miles (289-355 km) wide. The path of annularity crosses southern parts of Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and (a tiny sliver of) Brazil in South America. After crossing the Atlantic, the northern edge of the path just makes land in the Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

The Path of Annularity: South America

Eclipse chasers wanting to observe annularity high in the sky while on land should head to Chile or Argentina, with the latter having a better chance of a clear sky. The path crosses northern Patagonia, a region of wide skies, low population, and — crucially in February — a generally favorable climate.

As it reaches Chile's Pacific coast, the "ring of fire" will sit around 50° above the northeast, but this region of mountains and fjords is both logistically challenging and likely cloudy. Average February cloud cover along the centerline in Chile is typically around 65%, while just across the mountains in a classic rain-shadow zone in Argentina's Patagonian plains, cloud cover drops to as low as 30%, according to meteorologist Jay Anderson on Eclipsophile.com.

Standout locations in the rain-shadow include El Maitén (which is being favored by eclipse tour groups), Esquel and Trevelin, where annularity occurs just before midday. There's a similarly small chance of cloud on Argentina's Atlantic coast, with potential observing locations including Las Grutas on the San Matias Gulf and, south of Buenos Aires, the lush Laguna La Brava.

Although the path brushes Uruguay (just missing Montevideo), and nicks Brazil (just missing Rio de Janeiro), once the centerline of the path of annularity leaves Argentina, it doesn't make landfall again.

The Path of Annularity: Africa

After crossing the South Atlantic, the path of annularity makes its final landfall in West Africa, reaching Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

Here, the eclipse unfolds late in the day, with the "ring of fire" hanging low in the western sky as it approaches the horizon. At Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, the sun will be 7.7° above west-southwest just 30 minutes before sunset, though a potentially orange-golden "ring of fire" will last for just a fleeting moment. Other potential observing locations include Cape of Three Points in Ghana for a long annular phase just six degrees above the horizon, as well as the capital city, Accra, where it's just four degrees up. Lomé in Togo, Cotonou in Benin and Lagos in Nigeria will see the annular phase moments before sunset.

Although statistics show cumulus cloud cover in this region to be common, much of it dissipates by late afternoon, according to Anderson, with sea-breeze winds from the Atlantic — as well as "eclipse cooling" — potentially helping. As such, there's around a 90% chance of a clear sky in this region for a spectacular sunset "ring of fire." A much bigger problem, however, could come from Saharan dust, with reduced clarity likely.

Why does the 2027 'ring of fire' last so long?

The Feb. 6, 2027 annular solar eclipse is unusually long, with its maximum phase lasting up to 7 minutes 51 seconds just off the coast of Brazil — far longer than most annular eclipses, and significantly longer than the totality phase during a total solar eclipse.

The reason is geometry. Annular eclipses happen when the moon is near apogee, its farthest point from Earth, making it appear slightly too small to cover the sun. Instead of a brief blackout, the moon takes longer to cross the sun's face, leaving a bright ring visible throughout. The moon reaches apogee three days before Feb. 6, 2027.

That duration is extended because Earth is near perihelion in early January, when the sun appears marginally larger than average. A smaller apparent moon and a larger apparent sun combine to lengthen the event.

Even so, 2027 is not a record-breaker. Under a near-perfect alignment, annularity can theoretically last up to about 12 minutes and 29 seconds. The longest this century occurred on Jan. 15, 2010, when the ring of fire persisted for just over 11 minutes.

Additional resources

Want to look further ahead? You can find a concise summary of solar eclipses out to 2030 on NASA's eclipse website. Read more about solar and lunar eclipses on EclipseWise.com, a website dedicated to predictions of eclipses. See beautiful maps on eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler's GreatAmericanEclipse.com and interactive Google Maps on Xavier Jubier's eclipse website. You can find climate and weather predictions by meteorologist Jay Anderson on eclipsophile.com.

Bibliography

Anderson, J. Annular Solar Eclipse February 6, 2027. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://eclipsophile.com/ase-2027/

Bakich, M. and Zeiler, M. (2022). Atlas Of Solar Eclipses 2020-2045.

Espenak, F. Solar Eclipse Prime Page: Annular Solar Eclipse of 2027 Feb 06. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from: https://eclipsewise.com/oh/ec2027.html#SE2027Feb06A

Jubier, X. (n.d.). Solar eclipses: Interactive Google Maps. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/SolarEclipsesGoogleMaps.html

Time and Date. (n.d.). 17 February 2026 Annular Solar Eclipse. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2026-february-17

Related: What's the difference between a total solar eclipse and an annular solar eclipse?

Have you watched the recent declassified 'UFO' videos from the Pentagon? What did you think? With many ufologists and enthusiasts worldwide craving concrete evidence from the US government about the existence of extraterrestrial life, many think the Pentagon's first release raised more questions than answers. The world is desperate for the truth on UFOs and what better way to start your own journey than by learning more on the subject from doctors, former government officials, investigative journalists and even, claimed alien 'abductees.'

Where to start on this vast phenomenon? It depends what you are looking for. If you want to explore the subject through the minds of experts directly involved in military investigations, try Dr J. Allen Hynek's foundational text "The UFO Experience" or Luis Elizondo's "Imminent," an exposé from the former director of the Pentagon's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).

Famous psychiatrist Carl Jung breaks down the psychological and cultural forces behind UFOs in his book, "Flying Saucers: A Modern Myth of Things Seen in the Skies." UFO spirituality is explored in Professor D.W. Pasulka's "American Cosmic," where she explores how UFO lore is playing a major role in the formation of new religions amongst believers, billionaires and top-tier academics.

Fancy jumping off into the deep end? Enter the world of high strangeness with "Passport to Magonia," Jacquees Vallees' seminal text exploring modern alien lore in context with medieval fairy mythology and folklore. Hear tales directly from abductees with Dr John. E Mack's "Abduction" and Whitley Strieber's "Communion."

With Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" set for release on June 12 and another impending drop from the Pentagon, now is the time to start paying attention. The whole world is watching — are you?

Get ready to watch 'Star City' and see the alternative-history space race from behind the Iron Curtain.

Everyone is familiar with NASA's Apollo Program and its endeavor to land the first person on the lunar surface when Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong took one small step for a man on July 20, 1969. But Apple TV's "For All Mankind" gave us a look into an alternative history version of the historic mission, one where Russia landed on the moon first, and the Space Race accelerated further than true-life events transpired.

Now we're headed over to Star City, the Soviet Union’s secret cosmonaut training city located just an hour outside Moscow, to see how this fictional feat was accomplished by the forbidden city’s population of cosmonauts, security thugs, scientists, engineers, aerospace aces, KGB operatives, and double-agent spies.

With "For All Mankind" season 5's finale airing this week, it’s time to switch sides to "Star City" and learn how the USSR beat the Americans at their own game despite oppression, near-disasters, sabotage, love triangles, paranoia, and some really bland food.

Let’s brave the Cold War chill, comrades, and march right into Apple TV's "Star City!"

When does "Star City" come out?

The debut season of "Star City" starts on May 29, 2026 for its first 8-episode outing at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET), with the initial two chapters titled "The Eyes" and "A Bear on a Chain" kicking things off.

Subsequent weekly episodes will arrive each Friday until the season finale is broadcast on July 10, 2026.

How To Watch "Star City's" Inaugural Season?

"Star City" and its dark espionage saga, paired with harsh life inside the Soviet space program’s clandestine headquarters encircled by concrete and razor wire, can be seen exclusively on the Apple TV streaming platform, along with all five seasons of the original "For All Mankind" flagship series from which it was spawned.

If you're going to be out of the country when the show debuts, you can still watch it on your streaming service of choice using a VPN. You'll be able to connect to your streaming services, no matter where you are on Earth (though it won't work on Mars, sorry).

What Is The Plot Of "Star City?"

More than just a Space Race story set in the early 1970s when the Cold War was still heating up, "Star City" is actually closer to a classic Hollywood spy thriller with the Soviets' secret cosmonaut training base at the core of the tense (and often quite violent) new series.

In many ways, Apple TV's advertising campaign sums it up perfectly with the truthful motto that "as dangerous as it is in space, it's more dangerous on the ground." It's grim, cold, calculating, severe, and humorless, exhibiting an authentic peek into the Soviet side of human spaceflight.

"A bold new chapter inspired by the critically acclaimed space-race drama, 'For All Mankind,' 'Star City' is a propulsive paranoid thriller that takes us back to the key moment in the alt-history retelling of the space race — when the Soviet Union became the first nation to put a man on the moon," states the official synopsis.

"But this time, we explore the story from behind the Iron Curtain, showing the lives of the cosmonauts, the engineers, and the intelligence officers embedded among them in the Soviet space program, and the risks they took to propel humankind forward."

"Star City" Teasers And Trailers

The first bleak teaser dropped on Mar. 25, and opens on a b&w TV broadcast of a Soviet lunar landing, accompanied by the voice of cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, who becomes the first man to walk on the Moon.

A montage of images from the heart of Star City proceeds to paint austere conditions and the constantly unsettling setting in a forested town not on any map to see how it was all accomplished.

A second full trailer arrived April 23, and begins with an abrupt wakeup by Lyudmilla Raskova, the KGB’s security chief in Star City, dragging a frightened woman out of bed, then sets the stage for the unnerving paranoid environment that exists within the Chief Designer's space program and the Soviets' solemn desire to keep beating the Americans.

Electronic bugs are installed, secretaries listen in on every phone call and conversation, and rock 'n roll is banned in this cruel culture of absolute secrecy.

Who Are The "Star City" Cast And Creators?

"Star City" is truly blessed with an outstanding ensemble cast of international actors that rivals the impressive assembly of talent seen in "For All Mankind." And that's not really a surprise since the spinoff series was conceived by Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert, and Ronald D. Moore, the same competent creative team behind its Emmy-winning sister series, "For All Mankind."

The show is headlined by "House of the Dragon's" Rhys Ifans as Chief Designer, a character patterned after real-life Soviet space chief Sergei Korolev, and "Motherland's" Anna Maxwell-Martin portraying the emotionless KGB security boss Col. Lyudmilla Raskova.

"Star City's" killer cast also includes Agnes O’Casey, Alice Englert, Priya Kansara, Solly McLeod, Adam Nagaitis, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, and Josef Davies.

On May 29, Apple TV will launch "Star City," their 10-episode spinoff of "For All Mankind" that depicts an alternate history of the space race from the Soviet perspective as they become the first nation to land a human on the moon instead of the United States.

But far from being pure fiction, "Star City" is based on the real-life hidden Russian city just outside Moscow where cosmonauts lived and trained alongside engineers, scientists, and the ever-present eyes and ears of KGB agents keeping a lid on Soviet secrets.

As a primer for Apple TV's upcoming show starring Rhys Ifans, Anna Maxwell Martin, Agnes O’Casey, Alice Englert, Solly McLeod, Adam Nagaitis, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, and Josef Davies, we're heading behind the Iron Curtain to glean more info on how this location became the nexus for the USSR's human spaceflight endeavors. Along the way we'll pop in with a NASA expert and space history author to hear their thoughts on Star City, which is still operating today as a bustling international hub of cosmonaut activity. Break out the vodka and come along, dear comrades, while we drink a toast to Star City!

A forbidden city in the trees

At the tail end of the 1950s it was apparent that the Soviet's nascent manned spaceflight program needed a permanent home, something slightly off the grid (and maps!) yet close enough to the country’s capital and its political infrastructure. The secret location chosen was located roughly 40km northeast of Moscow, nestled within a thick evergreen forest, and became the main training facility and home to Russia’s cosmonauts. Nicknamed Zvezdny Gorodok, or Star City/Starry Town, this clandestine base of operations was built beside the Tsiolkovskaya railway station served by the Yaroslavl Railroad.

Founded in 1960 as Military Unit 26266, Star City evolved into the core of cosmonaut development for the next three decades until the fall of the USSR in 1991. Upon the 1968 death of Russia’s first man in space, this closed city was then renamed the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in honor of their pioneering hero.

Like Hogwarts with heroes in spacesuits instead of wizards in robes

This Soviet-sanctioned Cosmonaut School contained all the necessary living and training equipment for the country’s initial class of candidates during the Cold War to learn the required knowledge and gain hands-on experience to travel into space. These pre-selected fighter pilots and their families moved into their apartments during the summer of 1960 after residing at the Frunze Central Airfield in Moscow. They joined dozens of civilian personnel assigned to the compound who were all part of the monumental endeavor.

Renowned Soviet pilot and polar explorer Nikolai Kamanin became the director of training for all cosmonauts in the program. Besides the Vostok spacecraft simulators and actual classrooms, Star City, also became its own self-sustaining community over the years with the addition of parks, schools, gym, church, post office, pharmacy, rehab facilities, and a movie theater.

"Star City is the same species of town as Baikonur—a purpose-built space community that is equal parts industry and inspiration," Jeffrey Kluger, New York Times bestselling co-author of "Apollo 13" with Jim Lovell and author of "Gemini: Stepping Stone To The Moon," tells Space. “Think of Ford's Dearborn plant but with the target not on the roads but off the planet.”

It wasn't the Ritz-Carlton, but it was cozy

Once you got past humorless armed guards at checkpoints leading to Star City, what workers found were cold clusters of austere buildings and apartment blocks designed for practicality that held a sterile architectural purity so often seen on display in Cold War-era structures.

During the historic Apollo-Soyuz Project in the mid-1970s, Star City welcomed Americans for the first time, adding college-style dormitories for NASA's astronauts while they trained with cosmonauts for that historic 1975 mission. After the dissolving of the Soviet Union, NASA constructed several duplexes for housing during the Shuttle–Mir program completed from 1994-1998.

Today the once-forbidden, concrete-walled town is populated by engineers, scientists, current and retired cosmonauts, training specialists, scientists, doctors, and administrative staffers. NASA has had permanent presence here since ’94 and there's evidence everywhere of the history of the country’s storied space program, Yuri Gagarin, and the future graduates of the GCTC.

"The early Soviet space program was responsible for so many of the major 'firsts' of the Space Race, and it’s fascinating to look at how the U.S. responded during those early years - something I explore in my most recent book," NASA historian and author Andy Saunders tells Space. "One of the clearest differences between the two programs is embodied by Star City itself, which began as a top-secret military facility. American successes and failures played out in front of the world, while the Soviets often celebrated their triumphs and concealed their setbacks.

"That secrecy gives Star City an almost mythical quality even today. Despite the political rivalry and different public images of the two programs, behind the scenes both were driven by the same extraordinary ambition - to push human beings further than ever before."

Last one in the buoyancy pool is a bowl of borscht

The Cosmonaut Training Center and its simulation facilities within its borders also include a soccer stadium, a heating complex that warms Star City during Russia’s harsh winters, a children's space camp, and a metal fabrication factory. 600 employees work at the GCTC, training the next generation of cosmonauts whose eyes are aimed at the stars.

Specific facilities include: A 12-meter-deep hydro-lab pool for spacewalk practice equipped with full-scale mockups of essential components of the Russian International Space Station Segment and a 20-ton MIR module; full-size mockups of every spacecraft developed by the old USSR; a massive TsF-18 centrifuge and downsized TsF-7 centrifuge, a deluxe planetarium which can project up to 9,000 stars, and a new integrated pilot simulator for Russia's next-gen PTK-Orel transport spacecraft. And did we mention the tribute statue to Laika the space dog?

Another attraction in Star City is the Museum of Cosmonautics, which contains an impressive collection of documents and materials chronicling the history of manned cosmonautics. Its exhibit halls detail a range of space programs over the decades from Vostok to Mir. Also available for viewing are spacecraft mockups, simulators, cosmonaut spacesuits, personal items belonging to legendary space figures, and even a reproduction of Yuri Gagarin's actual office.

Pack your suitcase for a star city vacation!

Well, we wouldn't start packing your bags quite yet, but it is possible to visit this highly restricted Russian village that's still lightly guarded at checkpoints  — but now using only civilian personnel rather than military. Today, Star City is home to just under 7,000 people. It's relatively tiny, encompassing about 7 square kilometers (2.70 square miles) adding up both the city itself and its Space Center.

Since 2009, Star City's training center is no longer under the Russina' Ministry of Defense's strict military control and is currently run by the Russian Federal Space Agency known more commonly as Roscosmos.

There are several Star City tourism companies that offer packages to take an excursion to Moscow or have an extended stay in this strange remnant of another age. But to begin the process, a special permit is required which must be approved a month before your visit by Russian authorities. This can be handled by private travel firms that organize vacations to the area, as well as jet rides, zero-G flights, or a Baikonur cosmodrome side-trip!

For an easier route to Star City, virtual tours can be experienced at the official GCTC site. Nostrovia!

Lego and Star Wars is a match made in heaven and 2026 promises to be one of the wildest years for this play-based partnership and there are so many sets I wish I had, from this this new Lego Star Wars AT-AT to the Lego Star Wars Venator Republic Cruiser and beyond.

That's not all, either. Lego has introduced a whole new way to enjoy the best Lego Star Wars toys. It's unleashed several sets equipped with a 'Smart Brick' that enables interactivity between toys.

Sets equipped with Smart Bricks, such as Throne Room Duel & A-Wing will let you listen to Luke and Darth Vader's weapons clash, hear the infamous Imperial March play and more! It's the kind of idea my younger self would have dismissed as sheer fantasy, but I need these toys and I need them now.

Between Smart Brick technology and the other sets, Lego Star Wars fans are spoiled for choice. Here are the Lego Star Wars sets released in 2026 that I wish I had right now. After all, it's not like you can take your galactic credits with you.

Feeling the clammy grip of death on your shoulder? Hopefully you don't, but with so much debris floating overhead, a satellite apocalypse could come at any time. Then there are asteroid impacts, alien invasions and so on. That's why we've rounded up 15 sci-books you just have to read before you die.

From Isaac Asimov to Andy Weir, we've delved into science fiction, past and present, to select the books that deserve to be on your bucket list. These novels will transport you to a range of worlds, from a dystopian future(ish) Earth through to distant desert planets. The themes and topics they broach will leave you stunned, questioning humanity's place in the galaxy or, even if we have a future at all.

So, read on for the 15 sci-fi books that absolutely have to be on your bucket list.

Disgruntled alcoholic super-scientist Rick Sanchez, his nerve-rattled grandson Morty and the whole dysfunctional Smith clan are returning for another round of interdimensional delirium when Adult Swim's "Rick and Morty" season 9 lands this Sunday night, and we've got the lowdown on this fantastical frenzy of sci-fi shenanigans.

And just in time for the addictive series' sci-fi shenanigans, news was announced that longtime "Rick and Morty" director Jacob Hair will be helming an upcoming and long-rumored "Rick and Morty" feature film that will exist in its own continuity, ensuring that the Emmy-winning series will continue to evolve and expand into previously unexplored entertainment universes.

Let's prepare for an existential plunge into the demented "Rick and Morty" multiverse to see what’s new in their bizarro world this season!

When Is "Rick and Morty" Season 9's Release Date?

"Rick and Morty's" season 9 arrives on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT, with the first installment of its 10-episode collection of wild alternate reality escapades.

How To Watch "Rick And Morty" Season 9

"Rick and Morty" season 9 can be viewed weekly on the Cartoon Network's late-night mature animation block, Adult Swim.

Not long after, the show will migrate over to its streaming homes at HBO Max and Hulu, with episodes dropping each week starting on June 15, 2026.

If you're going to be out of the country when the show debuts, you can still watch it on your streaming service of choice using a VPN. You'll be able to connect to your streaming services, no matter where you are on Earth (though it won't work on Mars, sorry).

What Is The Plot Of "Rick and Morty" Season 9?

"'Rick and Morty' is back, baby! Season Nine is all certified bangers," states the official synopsis. "No AI slop! Just Grade A organic slop, made by real humans with real human traits like back hair and cysts. Please watch, or we'll have neglected our families for nothing."

Expect more drunken levity this season with a colorful descent into a veritable whirlwind of adventures that will take Rick and Morty toward surreal depths of portal-hopping immersion.

The risqué theme park known as Boob World returns, the Smiths score a swimming pool, Trader Joe’s' parking lot becomes a battlezone, living room furniture runs amok, and we visit a strange alien summer camp for troubled teens!

"Rick and Morty" Season 9 Teasers And Trailers

Adult Swim has been rather generous with teasers and trailers for season 9 and it's been the perfect hype machine.

The first blood-pumping trailer for "Rick and Morty" season 9 dropped April 7, 2026, paired with Billy Idol's ‘80s rock anthem "Rebel Yell."

Then on April 15, Adult Swim revealed a cool trailer announcing all ten episodes featuring the rough animatics created for each of the corresponding chapters.

May 5 brought us the season 9 opening sequence which kept anticipation levels high.

And after multiple clips rolled out over the past month, the final trailer arrived May 12 with a cavalcade of kookiness!

Who Are The "Rick And Morty" Season 9 Cast And Creators?

Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland are the twisted original creators of "Rick and Morty," with Scott Marder currently acting as the series showrunner and executive producer.

The extreme "Rick and Morty" madness absolutely cannot exist without the incredibly talented cast of vocal actors bringing this crazy cartoon crowd to life.

Season 9’s line-up includes Ian Cardoni (Rick Sanchez), Harry Belden (Morty Smith), Chris Parnell (Jerry Smith), Sarah Chalke (Beth Smith/Space Beth,) and Spencer Grammer (Summer Smith).

As usual, expect many surprise cameos (Owen Wilson!) and special guests.

Will There Be A "Rick and Morty" Season 10?

Yes, there will not only be a tenth season, but co-creator Dan Harmon has confirmed that "Rick and Morty" has already been given the green light for a season 11 and 12!

Sci-fi isn't known for being low-key, chilled, or relaxing. Aliens, dystopian nightmares, and twisted realities are more than likely provoking a reaction from viewers that flies a lot closer to terrified. Suspenseful and tense, the best sci-fi thriller movies are focused on nailing these themes.

If you’re looking for a semi-stressful movie night served alongside a takeaway with a side of indigestion, then you’re in luck. These standout titles aren't necessarily overtly scary — see the best space horror movies for that — but they certainly border on it, emulating the perplexing nature of the sci-fi genre. From mind-bendingly claustrophobic apocalypses to hardcore body horrors, they’ll leave you feeling incredibly uncomfortable and like you need a breath of fresh air.

It’s not always the obvious thriller tropes that will unnerve you, though, and we’ll get more into that below. So, why not take a look through the libraries of Paramount Plus, Disney, Netflix, and Amazon Prime in search of your next watch, using this list of the best sci-fi thriller movies for guidance? But, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

12. Predestination

Release date: March 8, 2014 | Cast: Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, Noah Taylor | Director: The Spierig Brothers | Rotten Tomatoes score: 84% critics, 75% audience

Time travel, terrorists, and tension are the pillars of The Spierig Brothers’ "Predestination" as The Barkeep/Agent Doe (Ethan Hawke) goes back in time to try and stop the elusive “Fizzle Bomber”. A slightly whimsical name for a story that is anything but. In fact, it’s mind-bendingly complicated with so many twists and turns you might not even remember where you started in the first place.

Based on the 1959 short story "'—All You Zombies—'" by Robert A. Heinlein, it explores the theme of paradoxes created by time travel and the consequences that can emerge because of it. It’s impossibly hard to simplify the plot without giving anything away, so we’ll just tell you that you’ll need to put your phone away for this one and pay full attention.

Ultimately, you should watch it if you want to get lost in the claustrophobia of loops, leaps, and a dizzying time-jumping abyss.

11. Westworld

Release date: August 17, 1973 | Cast: Yul Brynner, James Brolin, Richard Benjamin | Director: Michael Crichton | Rotten Tomatoes score: 84% critics, 70% audience

Before Westworld became a hugely successful TV series, the concept existed in 1970s cinema under the same name.

A human experiment firmly seated as a sci-fi Western sees guests visiting an amusement park called Delos, where three different themed worlds exist, all run by lifelike androids. Unsurprisingly, one of which is Western World. A malfunction sends the park hurtling into chaos as the androids turn against the tourists and people who have held them captive.

With such a strong plot and oodles of tension, it's easy to see why director Michael Crichton chose to bring it to the big screen, and why HBO decided to revive it with modern technologies some 40 years later. Despite the movie's advanced age, it’s more relevant today than it ever has been, and even more unsettling to watch a premonition of AI in the 70s that is eerily more believable now.

10. Coherence

Release date: June 20, 2014 | Cast: Emily Baldoni, Maury Sterling, Nicholas Brendon | Director: James Ward Byrkit | Rotten Tomatoes score: 89% critics, 81% audience

Eight friends are having a dinner party. Nothing unusual there. But then, a comet passes by Earth, and everything gets mighty uncomfortable… and that’s putting it extremely lightly.

Coherence is a psychological sci-fi thriller that really didn’t have much budget behind it — just $50,000 in fact — but what it does with this incredibly low movie budget is nothing short of phenomenal.

As James Byrkit’s first and only feature film directorial credit, it received widespread praise for boldly running with an idea without the big money or cast list to back it up, executing on it against the usual blockbuster odds. Coherence unravels strange events and disturbing moments that are sure to thrill.

9. Ex Machina

Release date: April 10, 2015 | Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac | Director: Alex Garland | Rotten Tomatoes score: 92% critics, 86% audience

There’s a theme that’s emerging amongst the best sci-fi thrillers, and that’s in the exploration of artificial intelligence, its capabilities, and its perils. Alex Garland’s Ex Machina is one of the best examples and demonstrations of this in cinema.

Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) wins a trip to his company’s CEO, Nathan’s (Oscar Isaac)residence, but when he arrives, it turns out his ‘win’ wasn’t quite what he expected. Instead, he’s enlisted as the human component of Nathan’s experiment with AI, a humanoid robot he’s created called Ava (Alicia Vikander).

Caleb must interact with Ava to see what emotions she’s capable of, what she can learn, and what she can’t. I mentioned that sci-fi thrillers aren’t typically low-key and chill, but Ex Machina might trick you into thinking it can be. Just you wait.

8. The Thing

Release date: June 25, 1982 | Cast: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David | Director: John Carpenter | Rotten Tomatoes score: 85% critics, 92% audience

If you’ve happened upon any of my other works on Space, you’ll know I’m a bit of a fan of The Thing.

Living amongst the best 80s sci-fi movies, it’s a movie that truly manages to horrify way before CGI was able to lend a huge helping hand. And sometimes, a well-crafted prosthetic and a dash of film trickery can be all that it takes to create something so realistic that it’s truly thrilling.

A research team in Antarctica is thrown into chaos when an extraterrestrial lifeform takes over their base. What’s worse — and unbeknownst to the researchers — the Thing can infect them, imitating the appearance of those it kills.

Thus comes a tense game of trust and mistrust that has every single person on the base questioning who is real. And rightly so, as this unknown creature is as relentless as it is horrifying.

7. Interstellar

Release date: November 7, 2014 | Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain | Director: Christopher Nolan | Rotten Tomatoes score: 73% critics, 87% audience

Having to find a new planet to live on because Earth has become uninhabitable could send even the hardiest of minds down a terrifying rabbit hole.

In Interstellar, director Christopher Nolan brings this very concept to life. Humanity’s place on Earth has become increasingly fragile, if not borderline impossible. The unusual “blight”, a pathogen destroying all crops and consuming oxygen, means the only option foreseen to save everyone is to find somewhere else out in the galaxy to live.

With disease ravaging Earth, Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) leads a group of astronauts out on an incredibly dangerous mission through a wormhole on a last-ditch attempt at finding somewhere else to live.

The claustrophobic and lonely journey they make — along with the harrowing sacrifices along the way — makes Interstellar one heck of a watch, but be warned, it’s an emotional ride.

6. Children of Men

Release date: December 25, 2006 | Cast: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine | Director: Alfonso Cuarón | Rotten Tomatoes score: 92% critics, 85% audience

In the year 2027 (which is somehow just one year from now, please stop, passage of time), Children of Men imagines a world where women have been infertile for years, dooming humanity to a slow extinction. But then mysteriously, a woman gets pregnant, and it’s up to Theo, a former activist, to ferry her to safety through a world depleted and ravaged by desperation.

In Children of Men, humanity is the problem, not overtly gruesome alien beings or life-threatening technologies. It's a tense and thrilling watch as the duo flees across the UK from the totalitarian regime that pursues them. Despite its original Christmas release date, you certainly won’t leave feeling jolly and bright.

5. Predator: Badlands

Release date: November 7, 2025 | Cast: Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi | Director: Dan Trachtenberg | Rotten Tomatoes score: 86% critics, 95% audience

Set after the events of 2018’s The Predator and the third in Dan Trachtenberg’s reign over the Predator franchise, Predator: Badlands sees Dek, a young Yautja, crash onto a hostile planet.

To fight for his survival (and honor), he’s tasked with hunting down an apex predator, but along the way, he finds himself teaming up with an unlikely ally in Thia (Elle Fanning), an android from the Weyland-Yutani Corp.

This movie is the kind of thrill ride that gets your heart racing, palms sweaty, knees weak, mom’s spaghetti, etc. But it’ll also make you laugh. A twist on the franchise that has divided opinion on humanising the Predator into a new sort of character, but it’s still an utterly thrilling addition to the franchise.

4. 12 Monkeys

Release date: December 29, 1995 | Cast: Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, | Director: Terry Gilliam | Rotten Tomatoes score: 88% critics, 88% audience

You’ll most likely relate Terry Gilliam to his part of the Monty Python comedy group, but he’s also the brain behind some really weird movies, including 12 Monkeys (see also Brazil).

Prisoner James Cole (Bruce Willis) is given the terrifying task of heading back in time from 2043 to try and stop a man-made virus from wiping out the entire planet. His endeavor to alter the past is chaotic in its execution and incredibly claustrophobic.

While the plot alone could carry a great thriller, it’s the acting of Willis, Pitt, and Stowe that elevates this wild story to the next level. It's a real noodle scratcher that’ll leave you trying to decipher exactly what everything meant long after the credits roll.

3. Donnie Darko

Release date: October 26, 2001 | Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore | Director: Richard Kelly | Rotten Tomatoes score: 88% critics, 80% audience

Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a depressed high school student looking to find some sort of meaning or semblance of emotion in his dark and lonely life. It's a bleak and weird trip through the human psyche, and not just because of the terrifying bunny/man. Donnie Darko is an odyssey of psychological torment for the movie’s lead character.

You could say this one leans closer to sci-fi horror, what with the nightmare bunny that haunts Donnie and threatens him with impending disaster, but it’s the tension building and profound psychological exploration that make up the core of the movie; well, that, and the occasional jumpscare.

2. Moon

Release date: June 12, 2009 | Cast: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey, Dominique McElligott | Director: Duncan Jones | Rotten Tomatoes score: 90% critics, 89% audience

Alone for three years, astronaut Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is nearing the end of his mission in space, collecting a rare resource needed by Earth. His only connection with the outside world is the lunar station’s computer, GERTY.

Dreaming of home, Sam's isolation and keeping himself alive prove a perpetual nightmare, especially when he ends up in a horrible accident mere weeks before he is due to leave the station. As events unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that Sam might not make it back to Earth.

Moon leaves you asking some big questions, and it rarely provides straight answers, which feels akin to shouting into an abyss, much like Sam probably feels throughout his lunar ordeal.

1. Aliens

Release date: July 18, 1986 | Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Bill Paxton | Director: James Cameron | Rotten Tomatoes score: 94% critics, 94% audience

I can already hear your keyboards clacking to declare that "Aliens" isn't a thriller, it's a sci-fi action flick. And well… we're both right. It's a sci-fi action thriller.

The sequel to 1979's sci-fi horror masterpiece Alien, this sequel ramps up the action, the tension, and the number of Xenomorphs significantly. Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) attempts to return to a normal life after being rescued from her deep-space slumber following the Nostromo incident, but fate has other ideas.

Contact has been lost with a colony on the planet where Ripley first encountered the Xenomorphs, and she joins up with a crack team of marines for a rescue mission. Things… do not go well. Ripley must overcome her trauma to save the survivors. While Aliens is best known for its iconic action sequences, there is plenty of intrigue, suspense, and drama during the quieter moments.

James Cameron is an icon of cinema, but when he made Aliens, it was only his fourth ever directorial credit. That he could craft such a masterpiece at that stage of his career is simply… thrilling.

Lego and Star Wars is a match made in sci-fi heaven and not only can you get your hands on the best Star Wars sets, May 4 aka Star Wars Day sees the launch of several new sets.

Which sets? There's a reasonably priced Razor Crest, for a start, soon to be seen in The Mandalorian and Grogu movie. Or, if you prefer to step back to the days of the Empire, you can pick up a bust of Darth Vader. And, if you're a Lego Insider (you can sign up for free) these new sets are available from May 1, if not earlier!

You can even snag some free Lego Gifts With Purchase sets if you buy through Lego's website. But since those will be available from May 1 and are liable to sell out, we recommend you hurry.

The June full moon occurs at 7:57 p.m. EDT (2357 GMT) on June 29. That's when the lunar disk will pass opposite the sun in Earth's sky, appearing fully lit by the sun's rays.

This month's full moon is also known as the "Strawberry Moon," reflecting the time of year when Native American tribes harvest the ripened fruit. It is also the first full moon of summer, following soon after the June 21 summer solstice, which marks the astronomical start of the season and the longest day of the year.

June's full moon tracks the lowest path of any full moon throughout the year, and that's thanks to its proximity to the summer solstice — when the sun is at its highest in the daytime sky.

When to see the June full moon

Look to the southeastern horizon at sunset on June 29 to see the Strawberry Moon climb into the early summer sky, embedded among the stars of the constellation Sagittarius. Seeing those stars may prove a challenge, in fact, due to the deluge of moonlight pouring from the lunar disk.

Beyond brightness, Earth's natural satellite will also appear particularly large to the unaided eye as it rests close to the horizon because of a phenomenon known as the moon illusion. You may also see the lunar disk adopt a yellow-orange glow in the period directly following moonrise, when its light will be scattered and filtered by the atmosphere.

Full moon timings for when the moon is 100% illuminated (note local moonrise and moonset times will vary depending on your location):

Why it's called the Strawberry Moon

The most famous name for the June full moon is probably the "Strawberry Moon" in reference to the wild fruit that ripen and are harvested by Native American Algonquian tribes around the time it rises, per the Old Farmer's Almanac. However, it does have other titles.

It is, for instance, also known as the "Berries Ripen Moon" by the indigenous Haida people, the "Green Corn Moon" by the Cherokee and the "Birth Moon" by the Tlingit. The latter reflects the period when certain animals are born in the Pacific Northwest.

Europeans, meanwhile, traditionally call it the "Horse Moon," "Hot Moon" and the "Mead Moon," the final one owes itself to the Anglo-Saxons because its appearance in the sky coincides with the time that meadows are mown, according to Time and Date.

Cultural traditions and festivals

The June 29 full moon coincides with the Buddhist festival of Poson Poya, which celebrates the introduction of the religion to Sri Lanka over 2,000 years ago. Worshipers mark the day by visiting holy sites and temples, the giving of alms and practicing mindfulness and spiritual purity, as noted by the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka.

What else to see in the sky around the full moon

Look 10 degrees to the upper right of the Strawberry Moon at sunset on June 29 to find the red light of Antares — derived from Greek for "rival of Ares" — glowing at the heart of the constellation Scorpius. To its upper left will shine Altair — a bright star that lives about 16.8 light-years from Earth — marking the tail of the great eagle represented in the constellation Aquila.

Next, look to the upper right of Altair to find Vega — the fifth brightest star in the night sky and a once and future north star. To its lower left will be the supergiant star Deneb. These three stars form a famous asterism known as the Summer Triangle, a staple of the summer night sky.

Steal your gaze away from the moon and look to the west to find Jupiter low on the western horizon, with Venus glowing brightly to its upper left in the golden glow of the setting sun. Mercury will also be present to the lower right of Jupiter, though you'd need a perfectly clear view to the west to stand a chance of spotting it.

Early risers will have a chance to spot a different planetary grouping in the hours preceding dawn on June 30, as the lunar disk draws close to the southwestern horizon. The steady light of Saturn will shine below the Great Square of Pegasus with Mars lower still on the eastern horizon, close to the glow of the Pleiades open cluster.

Observing tips

The lunar disk is entirely bereft of shadows during the full moon phase, making this the perfect time to trace the outline of lunar maria — where lava flows filled colossal impact basins billions of years ago before hardening to form sweeping basaltic plains. This phase is also an ideal chance to spot the bright streaks of material cast out during violent impact events.

You can use a DSLR camera with a telephoto lens, or even a modern smartphone camera — particularly one with a bespoke astronomy function — to capture gorgeous images of the full moon. The following tips will help, but for best results, you should read our expert guide to imaging the moon, along with our roundups of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography if you want to upgrade your equipment.

Top tips to photograph the moon

• Use a tripod to keep your camera as steady as possible.
• Use a remote shutter/timer to prevent camera wobble.
• A smartphone stargazing app can help you find the exact point of moonrise on your local horizon.
• A lens with a focal length of 12-50 mm is useful for landscape photography, while a focal length of at least 400 mm is advised for capturing more detailed views of the lunar surface.
• The moon can be made to appear particularly large while close to the horizon next to foreground objects, where it may take on an orange-yellow appearance thanks to Rayleigh scattering. A cleaner, more "classic" view can be captured as it soars high overhead.

Why not try and capture an image of the moon during each major phase (excluding the new moon) as the line separating night from day sweeps across the lunar surface throwing ancient craters, ravines and mountain ranges into relief. You can also find your way to the lunar south pole using our handy crater-hopping guide, which could well serve as the location of humanity's next landing site on the moon's surface.

These times mark the exact instant of full illumination. Your specific moonrise or moonset may be hours earlier or later, depending on your location. For the best viewing plan, use an app such as Stellarium or SkySafari 7 Pro to find your local moonrise time.

Editor's Note: Did you capture a beautiful picture of the moon and want to share it with Space.com's readers? Then please send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

It’s hard to know what’s most frightening about a space prison: the dangerous inmates within or the deadly vacuum of space that lies outside its walls. Thankfully, you can comfortably enjoy the best space prison movies from the safety of your own couch.

While the film industry loves nothing more than to recycle ideas until everything is twinning, surprisingly, there hasn't been a greater demand for movies centred around a space prison. Yeah, they might feature in a story briefly, such as in "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "The Chronicles of Riddick," but where the heck are all the off-planet "The Green Mile" and "Escape from Alcatraz"s?! Why aren't there more flicks where the entire premise involves someone trying to escape the seemingly inescapable?

The good news is that there are a handful of pure space prison movies where some of our favorite actors have been sent to the cosmic chokey. Here's our list of the five best space prison movies (in no particular order, don't get mad at the numbers).

1. Fortress 2: Re-Entry

Release date: April 25, 2000 | Director: Geoff Murphy | Cast: Christopher Lambert, Beth Toussaint, Willie Garson

When someone needed an unproblematic action star who would work on a production with a budget less than a B.L.T. sandwich, Christopher Lambert was the go-to man. In 1992, Lambert starred as John Brennick in "Fortress," a dystopian action where Brennick and his wife, Karen (Loryn Locklin), find themselves in trouble with the law because they dare to have more than one child. For this heinous crime, Brennick receives a punishing sentence at the futuristic, high-tech fortress prison run by the nefarious Men-Tel Corporation. To cut a long story short, Brennick discovers that the pregnant Karen is also there, so he stages a breakout for them.

In "Fortress 2: Re-Entry," Men-Tel finds Brennick and locks him up again. This time, though, the prison is on a space station, making his attempt at escape even trickier than before. At least he doesn't have to worry about saving Karen, but he still needs to battle the odds and plot a path back to Earth.

"Fortress 2: Re-Entry" is made to be enjoyed with a cold beer, a slice of pizza, and zero expectations on a Friday night. It's a whole lot better than its direct-to-DVD status suggests it should be, producing high-stakes action and believable space special effects on a micro budget. Much of this is due to the stellar vision of the director, the late Geoff Murphy, who was also the second unit director for "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

2. Lockout

Release date: April 13, 2012 | Directors: Stephen St. Leger, James Mather | Cast: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare

Fun fact: Luc Besson of "The Fifth Element" fame conceptualized this story, then co-wrote the screenplay with directors Stephen St. Leger and James Mather. Having said that, John Carpenter sued the filmmakers for plagiarising his "Escape" series, and the court actually ruled in his favour.

Set in 2079, "Lockout" sees CIA agent Marion Snow (Guy Pearce) wrongfully arrested. He's set to be shipped out to the space prison MS One, where only the baddest of the bad reside – in stasis, though, where absolutely nothing can totally go wrong, right? Right? Before Snow heads off to serve his sentence, President Warnock (Peter Hudson) receives the news that his daughter, Emilie (Maggie Grace), who was investigating issues around MS One, has been taken hostage by the prisoners who have woken up. Shocker. So, the government cuts a deal with Snow: save Emilie for his freedom.

Snow wears his John McClane influences on his heavily ripped sleeve, quipping his way through the gun show and explosive exchanges with the NPC prisoner characters. It's a pity that he doesn't receive an iconic one-liner like "yippee-ki-yay" here, but he's forgiven since in space, no one can hear you meme. "Lockout" borrows freely and heavily from other sci-fi flicks like "Aliens" and "The Fifth Element" (unsurprisingly), valuing fast-moving mayhem over originality. What it lacks in the story department, it more than makes up for in the non-stop sci-fi action, unleashing an all-out attack on the senses.

3. Alien 3

Release date: May 22, 1992 | Director: David Fincher | Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Charles S. Dutton, Charles Dance

An entire book could be written about the messy production of "Alien 3," including a whole chapter dedicated to William Gibson's rejected script. It's obvious that it wasn't an easy time for anyone involved, but does that mean it's an awful film? No, not at all. It might not be the best "Alien" movie ever made, but it's far from unwatchable. Quite the contrary.

There's something immediately gleeful about the setup for "Alien 3." Ellen Ripley's (Sigourney Weaver) pod crash-lands on Fiorina "Fury" 161, a wasteland planetoid that operates as a correctional facility. Ripley's pals from the past movie didn't survive the trip, thanks to a pesky Xenomorph, so she needs to wait until Weyland-Yutani decides to pick her up. It isn't only the fact that Ripley's stranded with dangerous inmates around her, but the bloodthirsty Xenomorph with the killer smile is also on the loose. The only way to survive is to work together, but who can be trusted?

"Alien 3" doesn't have the deft touch of "Alien" nor the bombastic appeal of "Aliens," yet it catapults the franchise into new frontiers, especially in terms of the space prison planet setting and Ripley carrying an alien embryo inside of her. The trapped and isolated sensation never falters here, as the viewer chews off their fingernails and wonders how long it'll take that blasted Weyland-Yutani rescue ship to arrive.

4. Dante 01

Release date: January 2, 2008 | Director: Marc Caro | Cast: Lambert Wilson, Linh Dan Pham, Simona Maicanescu

Where Paul W. S. Anderson's "Event Horizon" introduced the concept of Hell in space, Marc Caro's "Dante 01" uses it more as a metaphor. Clearly inspired by Dante’s "Inferno," "Dante 01" poses many philosophical questions; It’s an unexpectedly ponderous tale that’ll mean something different to every viewer. Plus, it’s a French film, so that makes it even more so.

In the furthest part of space lies Dante 01, a detention facility that houses criminals who have committed the most shocking crimes imaginable. Operating more as a psychiatric asylum, the doctors experiment on the inmates — who actually volunteered to be a part of the program — with different treatments and methods.

A new doctor named Elisa (Linh Dan Pham) arrives with cruel intentions, alongside an unknown prisoner (Lambert Wilson) who's dubbed Saint-Georges by the other inmates. Saint-Georges' presence leads many to believe he's an angel sent to liberate them from evil, especially after he appears to save them from death… but is Saint-Georges a saviour or not?

The film features sensational standout performances, especially from the likes of Wilson and Pham. And, even to this day, the dark and brooding aesthetic holds up beautifully. Sure, "Dante 01" may never be remembered in the same league as "Event Horizon," but you don't want to sleep on this one.

5. Incoming

Release date: May 4, 2018 | Director: Eric Zaragoza | Cast: Scott Adkins, Michelle Lehane, Aaron McCusker

Imagine this pitch as a studio executive: martial arts superstar Scott Adkins… in space! That's it. That’s all you need. Forget about the script, director, and co-stars, because nothing else matters here. This should be an easy sell, but "Incoming" flew over most people's radars when it dropped in 2018. Maybe it needed a better name, or a picture of a shirtless Adkins doing a Guyver kick on the poster? Regardless, this is a very underrated Scott Adkins gem that's mandatory viewing for action and sci-fi fans.

Set in the distant future, the International Space Station becomes a secret space prison, because why not? On Earth, the dangerous terrorist group known as the Wolfpack attacks major landmarks, such as Big Ben. A few Wolpack members are locked up in space, so CIA agent Reiser (Adkins), medic Stone (Michelle Lehane), and shuttle pilot Bridges (Aaron McCusker) head out there to see what they can find out. What ends up happening is that the prisoners free themselves and plan to crash the Station, so guess who has to stop them?

"Incoming" comes alive when Adkins ups the intensity levels and shows off his outrageous combat skills. While the special effects teeter on the PlayStation 2 side and the script might be thinner than a wafer, as soon as Adkins steps into the scene, everything feels infinitely better. We need to start calling him Copperfield, because those educated feet of his possess real magic.

"For All Mankind" has just returned for its fifth season, continuing its ambitious mission to reimagine the Space Race.

Having started out with the unexpected sight of the Soviet Union planting its flag on the Moon, the hit Apple TV series has given us a vastly accelerated version of humanity's exploration of the cosmos. The show had already taken us to the Moon and Mars by the mid-1990s, and now — as its fictional timeline reaches 2012 — a fully-fledged Martian colony is trying to exploit the riches of a nearby asteroid.

Below, we detail the entire "For All Mankind" timeline, from that first lunar landing through to the start of season 5 — and compare the fiction with what happened in real life. And with a sixth and final season already confirmed, we'll be updating this feature as the show's alternative history progresses.

Season 1

1969

• Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov becomes the first human being to walk on the Moon in June.
• A month later, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin crash-land on the lunar surface. Contact is lost for four hours, but they successfully take off and return home.
• Cosmonaut Anastasia Belikova becomes the first woman on the Moon in November.

In real life (IRL): Armstrong and Aldrin were the famously the first people to set foot on the Moon. Leonov completed the first spacewalk in 1965. The USSR sent the first woman into space, Valentina Tereshkova, in 1963.

1970

• Playing catch-up after Belikova's successful moonwalk, NASA invites its first group of women into the Apollo training program.
• The Vietnam War ends when President Richard Nixon signs a ceasefire deal.

IRL: No women ever flew in the Apollo program, though the show does make the point that Patty Doyle and Molly Cobb (both fictional) were Mercury 13 astronaut trainees several years earlier. The Vietnam War didn't actually end until 1975.

1971

• Molly Cobb becomes first American woman on the Moon (and in space) as part of the Apollo 15 mission. She discovers water in the Shackleton Crater.

IRL: Molly Cobb was inspired by real-life Mercury 13 trainee Jerrie Cobb, though no American woman would fly in space until Sally Ride in 1983. Observations suggest that the Shackleton Crater (located near the lunar south pole) may contain ice.

1972

• Ted Kennedy (Democrat) is elected the 38th President of the United States.

IRL: Nixon (Republican) was re-elected in 1972. Kennedy was widely tipped for America's top office until the Chappaquiddick incident in 1969 derailed his political career. He served as senator for Massachusetts from 1962 until his death in 2009.

1973

• Jamestown lunar base established next to Shackleton Crater.

IRL: The final Apollo mission, Apollo 17, departed the lunar surface in December 1972. No human has visited the Moon since, though NASA's Artemis program is planning to change that very soon…

1974

• Apollo 23 explodes on the launchpad, killing 11 engineers, including NASA flight director Gene Kranz.
• Deke Slayton — one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts who was grounded by a heart condition and subsequently headed NASA's Astronaut Office — makes his first trip into space. He dies on the way to the Moon while piloting the Apollo 24 mission that's supposed to bring astronaut Ed Baldwin home from Jamestown.
• The Soviet Union establishes its own Zvezda base eight miles northwest of Jamestown.
• President Kennedy pardons his predecessor, Nixon, for his involvement in the Watergate scandal.

IRL: Slayton did belatedly fly on the joint US/Soviet Apollo-Soyuz mission in 1975, and passed away in 1993. Gene Kranz is still alive, aged 92. The Soviet Union has yet to land any humans on the Moon. Nixon was given a presidential pardon, but by Gerald Ford rather than Kennedy.

Season 2

1976

• Ronald Reagan (Republican) is elected as the 39th President of the United States.
• The US scraps the space treaty with the USSR after repeated Soviet violations.

IRL: Jimmy Carter (Democrat) was elected President in 1976 — it would be four more years before Reagan entered the White House.

1979

• The USSR withdraws troops from the border with Afghanistan, as Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev abandons invasion plans to focus his resources on the Space Race.
• Three Mile Island meltdown averted by technology developed at Jamestown.

IRL: The Soviet Union would be at war with Afghanistan for a decade before the conflict ended in 1989. The Three Mile Island nuclear facility in Pennsylvania famously suffered a partial meltdown in 1979.

1980

• Reagan re-elected as President.
• Former Beatle John Lennon survives an assassination attempt in New York.

1981

• The first Space Shuttle, Enterprise (named in honor of "Star Trek"), is launched by NASA.
• Pope John Paul II murdered in Vatican City.
• Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, marries Prince Charles in London.

IRL: Enterprise was the name given to the Shuttle prototype, though it never flew in space — Columbia was the first actual Shuttle.

Reagan won his first term in 1980. Lennon died, but Pope John Paul II survived. Prince (now King) Charles married Princess Diana in 1981, but later married Camilla Parker Bowles (the current Queen) in 2005.

1983

• NASA launches Sea Dragon rocket from the South Pacific, carrying a plutonium payload to be used to power an expanded Jamestown base.
• Ed Baldwin, now chief of the Astronaut Office, gives himself command of Pathfinder, the first nuclear-powered Space Shuttle. Sally Ride is among the crew.
• As tensions with the Soviet Union escalate, Pathfinder is armed with ballistic missiles. Guns are also sent to Jamestown.
• Danielle Poole commands the Apollo-Soyuz rendezvous mission.
• NASA administrator and former Jamestown commander Ellen Wilson has a near miss when she doesn't board Korean Airlines Flight 007. The plane is shot down by a Soviet fighter jet.

IRL: NASA recently announced plans for a spacecraft that will use nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) to travel to Mars. President Reagan announced the orbital Strategic Defense Initiative, nicknamed Star Wars, in 1984.

In a rare case of real-life beating "For All Mankind" to the punch, the Apollo-Soyuz mission actually took place eight years earlier. Tragically, Korean Airlines Flight 007 really was shot down over the Sea of Japan.

Season 3

1984

• President Reagan and Soviet Premier Andropov sign lunar peace treaty which essentially divides the Moon between them.
• Gary Hart (Democrat) is elected 40th President of the United States.
• UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is killed in IRA bombing in Brighton, England.

IRL: According to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, no country can "own" the Moon. Gary Hart lost the democratic primary to Walter Mondale, who in turn was defeated by President Reagan in the 1984 election. Margaret Thatcher survived the 1984 Brighton bombing and lived until 2013.

1986

• Dev Ayesa and Richard Hilliard make breakthrough in nuclear fusion. Global warming slows as new technology goes online.
• Polaris Corporation launches space tourism business.

IRL: Manmade nuclear fusion reactors remain in the realms of science fiction. Space tourism is still the domain of the super-rich.

1987

• Ayesa's Helios company wins NASA mining contract.
• China establishes its first base on the Moon.
• North Korea abandons ballistic missile programme to focus on space exploration.
• The Beatles kick off eagerly awaited reunion tour.

IRL: NASA now frequently collaborates with private partners. China's first human spaceflight didn't take place until 2003, while North Korea reportedly reached space in 2024. The Beatles' last live concert was their famous rooftop gig in 1969.

1988

• President Hart elected for a second term.

IRL: George HW Bush (Republican) defeated Michael Dukakis (Democrat) in the 1988 presidential election.

1990

• Thomas Paine Space Telescope, named after the former NASA boss who died in Korean Airlines disaster, launched.

IRL: The Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990, and named after American astronomer Edwin Hubble. The James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021, was named after James Webb, administrator of NASA from 1961-1968.

1992

• Polaris launches orbital hotel, and hosts the first ever wedding in orbit. After damage inflicted by scrap from a North Korean rocket causes near-fatal damage, Dev Ayesa buys it for Helios Aerospace's proposed private mission to Mars. He rebrands the craft the Phoenix.
• Ellen Wilson (Republican) defeats Bill Clinton (Democrat) to become the 41st (and first female) President of the United States.

IRL: Orbital hotels are still some way off. Bill Clinton won the 1992 election, beating the incumbent George HW Bush — Wilson is the first fictional character to become President in "For All Mankind"'s alternative timeline.

1994

• NASA's Sojourner 1, the Soviet Union's Soviet Mars-94, and Phoenix all bid to become the first mission to land humans on Mars. In their efforts to win the race, the Soviets push their reactors too hard, prompting a meltdown — the NASA crew mounts a bold rescue mission, taking their Soviet counterparts on board.

IRL: Sojourner was the name of the Mars rover launched as part of NASA's Pathfinder mission, launched in 1996. In real life, the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

1995

• The USA's Danielle Poole and the Soviet Union's Grigory Kuznetsov believe they're the first people to leave their footprints on Martian soil, though it later turns out that North Korea's Lee Jung-Gil got there a few months earlier.
• The Happy Valley base is established on Mars.
• Kelly Baldwin gives birth to her son, Alex, in Martian orbit. He's the first child born away from Earth.
• The Johnson Space Center is destroyed in a politically motivated bomb attack that claims many lives.

IRL: Some 30 years after "For All Mankind" achieved the feat, landing on Mars remains on NASA's to-do list — though Artemis will hopefully bring this giant leap closer to reality. No child has yet been born in space.

Season 4

1996

• Wilson defeats Jerry Brown to retain the presidency. Having "come out" a couple of years earlier, she is the first openly gay person to hold the office.

1997

• The US, the USSR, Japan, India, the European Space Agency, North Korea, and the Coalition of Communist Countries for Spaceflight establish the Mars-7 Alliance to manage the development of the red planet.
• Helios, which previously had a monopoly on the Moon's resources, loses an antitrust lawsuit to Exxon, Shell, and Halliburton.
• Helios announces new plasma propulsion technology that will reduce trips between Earth and Mars to one to two months.
• Hilton opens first hotel on the Moon.

IRL: A Pulsed Plasma Rocket (PPR) is under development, though it does feel like it's been added to "For All Mankind"'s mythology for narrative expedience, in order to make travel time between planets that little bit shorter. Hilton is yet to announce plans for hotels beyond Earth.

1998

• Wilson signs Marriage Inclusion Act, legalizing same-sex marriage.
• Bill and Hillary Clinton file for divorce.

IRL: Massachusetts became the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004. Bill and Hillary Clinton are still married.

1999

• Movie mogul and Miramax boss Harvey Weinstein is charged with sexual assault.
• John F Kennedy Jr starts run for US Senate.

IRL: Weinstein wasn't arrested for his numerous crimes until 2018. John F Kennedy Jr died in a plane crash in 1999.

2000

• Al Gore defeats George W Bush to become the 42nd President of the United States.
• Y2K bug causes computer problems when computers at international space port reset their dates.

IRL: Al Gore lost to George HW Bush's son, George W Bush, in the 2000 presidential election. The infamous Y2K caused rather fewer issues than doom-mongers predicted, though it did prove lucrative for IT professionals.

2002

• Gore declares the Cold War over after agreeing on a historic partnership with Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev.
• John Lennon plays the Super Bowl XXXVI halftime show.

IRL: The Cold War had been over for a decade by 2001. U2 played the Super Bowl halftime show.

2003

• The so-called "Goldilocks" asteroid (2003LC) is located near Mars, and identified as a rich source of minerals, including the lucrative iridium. As the Mars-7 argue over the best way to mine its raw materials, Dev Ayesa, Ed Baldwin, and other conspirators launch a daring (and successful) plan to hijack the asteroid, and tow it into Mars orbit.

IRL: Iridium has many practical applications (including spark plugs and the aerospace industry) and is often more abundant in asteroids than in the Earth's crust. Moving an asteroid may be a little bit beyond us for now, however.

Season 5

2004

• North Korea is expelled by M-7 for its ujunauts presumed role in the asteroid heist. Various other conspirators, including Baldwin, are also tried for their involvement.
• Jim Bragg defeats Al Gore to become the 43rd President of the United States, campaigning on an "Earth Comes First" platform.
• The so-called "Curse of the Bambino" continues as the Boston Red Sox lose the World Series again.

IRL: President George W Bush defeated John Kerry (Democrat) to win a second term. The Boston Red Sox won the World Series for the first time since 1918, ending the curse.

2006

• John Lennon and Jay-Z play the Grammy Awards.

IRL: Jay-Z actually performed with Paul McCartney at the 2006 Grammy Awards.

2007

• Workers at Happy Valley base permitted to bring their families to Mars.
• Blockbuster Video franchise opens on the Moon. CEO teases plans for "Blockbuster original content".

IRL: Little did Blockbuster know that its whole world was about to get turned upside-down. Netflix had launched its by-mail DVD rental service in 1997, and transitioned into streaming in 2007. The company then moved into original content with 2012's "Lilyhammer", though such a plan would have seemed crazy in 2007. Blockbuster went out of business in 2014.

2008

• President Bragg elected for a second term.

2009

• John F Kennedy Jr is expected to run in late his father's footsteps and run for President.

2010

• The original Pathfinder Space Shuttle is driven through Los Angeles highways on its way to its permanent home at the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.

IRL: The Space Shuttle Endeavour made a similar journey in 2012, though it is currently away from public view.

2012

• Goldilocks is home to an extensive mining facility as the Martians look to exploit their greatest assets.
• Plans are announced for a space elevator to facilitate easier transport between the asteroid and Mars.

New episodes of "For All Mankind" debut on Apple TV+ on Fridays.

Artemis 2 is the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years, so it's no surprise that the Orion spacecraft is loaded with cameras, 15 mounted on the ship and 17 in the hands of the crew. And, thanks to this photographic equipment, we've been treated to some absolutely stunning Artemis 2 photos.

Skip to the gear and buy your own astronaut-worthy cameras and lenses.

What may shock you is just how down-to-earth most of these cameras have been, with some cameras dating back to 2016! What's going on? Our Senior Manager, Jase Parnell-Brookes, explains.

"Alongside monitoring vital sections of the craft and the Integrity crew themselves, there's an array of on-board camera gear that the astronauts are using to document their mission.

The cameras aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have been predominantly Nikon cameras, starting with the Nikon F5 (yes, film!) heading up in 1999, and the Artemis 2 mission follows suit. It may be surprising to many to read that the crew has taken 10-year-old DSLRs with them, the Nikon D5 to be precise.

It's the predecessor of Nikon's last flagship DSLR ever made, the Nikon D6, and with so many more compact mirrorless options available, it might at first seem mad to head to space with this bulkier, heavier model. But when you're heading further from Earth than any human has ever done before, you need to take a tried-and-tested camera to ensure you get those all-important photos sent back home."

Camera gear onboard Artemis 2 and where to buy it

The Integrity crew also has access to Nikon's flagship mirrorless, the Nikon Z9 (read our glowing Z9 review here), to test their viability for future missions (they are much more sophisticated than the D5s). GoPro action cameras also feature, alongside the iPhone 17 Pro Max, for additional photo and video capture.

If it's good enough for a NASA astronaut to take to the moon, it's good enough for you. See below for a full list of their gear with options for the best and cheapest places to buy them.

Additional gear used to document the mission:

Nikon 35mm f/2D lens

Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens (used to image at the Space Center)

Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 ED lens

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens

Nikon FTZ II lens mount adapter (this converts older F-mount DSLR lenses to be used on the newer Nikon Z9 Z-mount mirrorless camera) — this is Jase's presumption based on the 35mm f/2D being used in conjunction with the Z9 in space and retaining EXIF data information.

The May full moon phase will occur at 1:23 p.m. EDT (1723 GMT) on May 1, when the lunar disk will appear opposite the sun in the sky, with its familiar Earth-facing side fully lit. The May full moon is known as the "Flower Moon", in reference to the plentiful blooms that burst to life as the warm spring weather takes hold.

May will feature not one, but two full moons, with the second peaking at 4:45 a.m. EDT on May 31 (0845 GMT) on May 31. The second full moon in any given month is known as a Blue Moon. A monthly Blue Moon occurs roughly once every 2.5-3 years, so we won't see another month with two full moons until December 2028, according to the Royal Museums Greenwich.

When to see the May full moon

May's moon reaches its full moon phase while below the horizon for viewers in the U.S., who will get their chance to see the Flower Moon rise at sunset on May 1, as the lunar disk climbs over the southeastern horizon.

The moon may appear particularly impressive during moonrise thanks to a phenomenon known as the Moon Illusion, wherein our brains trick us into thinking that the lunar disk is larger than it actually is as it glows close to the horizon, with foreground objects like buildings nearby.

You may also see the moon take on a vivid yellow-orange hue as it sits close to the horizon. This happens because its light passes through more of Earth's atmosphere, which scatters away the shorter blue wavelengths and lets the longer red tones pass through, an effect known as Rayleigh scattering.

The table below notes local full moon timings for when the moon is 100% illuminated in a selection of cities around the world (moonset and moonrise times will vary by location). For precise timings where you are, check out Time and Date's moonrise tracker.

Why it's called the Flower Moon

The May full moon is called the Flower Moon, reflecting the abundance of colorful blooms that appear across the northern hemisphere at this time of year. It is also known as the Leafing Moon and the Budding Moon by the Native American Cree people, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, while the European Anglo-Saxons called it the Milking Moon, in reference to the ample milk produced by cows in May, per Time and Date.

It is also known as the Egg-Laying Moon and the Moon of the Shedding Ponies and as the Planting Moon by the Dakota and Lakota people of North America.

Cultural traditions and festivals

The May 1 full moon coincides with the festival of May Day in Europe, when revellers gather to celebrate the beginning of summer — a celebration that is often accompanied by traditionally dressed performers who dance around a wooden pole decorated with ribbons or greenery known as a Maypole. The festival's origins stretch back to the Roman festival of Floralia, which was held to celebrate the goddess of spring and fertility and has been reinvented numerous times in the centuries that followed, according to the National Trust.

The May 1 full moon will also rise on Labour Day, or International Workers Day, which celebrates the struggle for fair rights and conditions in the workplace. Over 160 countries observe Labour Day on May 1, the anniversary of the Haymarket Riot, when several protesters and policemen were killed during a demonstration to reduce working hours, according to Time and Date. Other countries, including the U.S. and Canada, choose to celebrate the day on Sept. 7.

For Buddhists, this May 1 will also mark Vesak Day — one of the most sacred days in the spiritual calendar, which celebrates the birth of Gautama Buddha in the year 623 B.C., along with the day he achieved enlightenment and the day that he passed, at eighty years of age, per the United Nations. Buddhists often celebrate Vesak with processions, by visiting temples, meditating and through acts of fasting, while adherents in India may immerse themselves in the river Ganga to wash away their sins.

What else to see in the sky around the full moon

The moon will rise above the southeastern horizon at sunset on May 1, flooding the spring sky with reflected sunlight and making it challenging to spot all but the brightest nearby stars.

The blue-white light of the star Spica will be visible twinkling to the upper right of the lunar disk in the constellation Virgo, while the red supergiant Arcturus glows to its upper left in Bootes.

Venus will be visible as a bright point of light shining above the western sky at moonrise, roughly 20 degrees — or the width of two clenched fists held at arm's length — above the horizon. Be sure to catch it before it sets, just a little over two hours after the sun!

Look to the upper left of Venus to find Jupiter, the second brightest object in the night sky, glowing in the constellation Gemini, with Sirius — the brightest star in the night sky — shining off to the left, close to the southwestern horizon. Together, the three bodies form a kind of cosmic triangle, with the baleful light of the red giant star Betelgeuse at its heart.

Saturn, meanwhile, will appear as a steady star-like object shining low on the eastern horizon in the hour preceding dawn on May 2, with the red light of Mars glowing to its lower left, almost lost in the glow of the rising sun.

Observing tips

May's full moon is a great time to explore the lesser-known lunar seas such as Sinus Medii and Mare Frigoris, as the entirety of Earth's natural satellite bathes in the light of the sun.

Why not try to immortalize your view of the Flower Moon by capturing it using a DSLR camera and a telephoto lens? You could also take images throughout the month to track how the shifting shadows alter the moon's appearance as it circles our planet. Be sure to make use of our expert guide to photographing the moon, along with our picks of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography, if you want to upgrade your equipment.

• Use a tripod to keep your camera as steady as possible.
• Use a remote shutter/timer to prevent camera wobble.
• A smartphone stargazing app can help you find the exact point of moonrise on your local horizon.
• A lens with a focal length of 12-50 mm is useful for landscape photography, while a focal length of at least 400 mm is advised for capturing more detailed views of the lunar surface.
• The moon can be made to appear particularly large while close to the horizon next to foreground objects, where it may take on an orange-yellow appearance thanks to Rayleigh scattering. A cleaner, more "classic" view can be captured as it soars high overhead.

Upcoming full moons

These times mark the exact instant of full illumination. Your own moonrise or moonset may be hours earlier or later, depending on your location. For the best viewing plan, use an app such as Stellarium or SkySafari 7 Pro to find your local moonrise time and be sure to read our full moon calendar for comprehensive timings for each full moon in 2026.

Editor's Note: If you would like to share your full moon photos with Space.com's readers, then please send your photo(s) along with your name, the location and any comments on what it was like to capture the picture to spacephotos@space.com.

Doctor Who is back! No, I'm not talking about the mystery of Ncuti Gatwa regenerating into Billie Piper; instead, the BBC is airing two previously 'lost' episodes from the sci-fi show's black-and-white days.

Given how massively popular Doctor Who is today, easily one of the best sci-fi shows of all time, it's hard to imagine anyone just erasing episodes. But the sad truth is that nearly 100 episodes no longer exist in their original form. That's why the recent discovery of 'The Nightmare Begins' and 'Devil’s Planet' was such a big deal.

Found in a private collection, by charitable trust Film is Fabulous!, these are the first and third episodes of Doctor Who's third season, dubbed The Daleks' Master Plan. It's massively significant that these episodes, last aired in 1965, have been recovered. It also gives fans hope that additional episodes are still out there, waiting to be discovered.

Now, from April 3, 2026, you can watch these previously lost Doctor Who episodes from anywhere in the world.

How to watch Doctor Who's lost episodes anywhere

Doctor Who: The Nightmare Begins and Devil’s Planet are available free on iPlayer, from April 3, at 1:00 AM EDT / 6:00 AM BST

Both lost Doctor Who episodes will arrive on iPlayer, the BBC's online streaming service, on the morning of April 3, 2026. You can watch the show's entire run on iPlayer, including episodes that were previously considered missing.

Can I watch these lost Doctor Who episodes outside the UK?

Apple TV has the rest of classic Who, so it's possible they will arrive on that service at some point in the future. But, right now, these episodes are not available internationally; they're just on the BBC's UK-only iPlayer.

The good news is that if you happen to be away from the UK, you can watch these episodes using a VPN, or Virtual Private Network. A VPN is a security service, accessed via an app on your PC, mobile, or other device, which, aside from safeguarding your browsing, lets you appear to be browsing from elsewhere in the world.

This, in turn, allows you to access geo-locked content such as the BBC's iPlayer and other streaming content, which is a major bonus if you're travelling overseas and want your Who fix.

Our VPN of choice is NordVPN, and we have an exclusive offer that makes it just $3.09 a month, with three months free. You've got a 30-day money-back guarantee too, so you've nothing to lose.

Why were these episodes lost?

Given how popular Doctor Who is, it seems utterly absurd that any episode of Doctor Who could be 'lost', discarded with no appreciation for the show, its history, or its legions of fans who, barring unexpected discoveries, would never get to enjoy them.

Was there some secret Who-hater at the BBC, a mysterious, goateed menace determined to erase the Doctor from existence? Actually, no. There was no malice behind the BBC's decision to erase its Doctor Who recordings; it was standard practice coupled with a lack of foresight.

Back in the 1960s, there wasn't a home video market, and videotape was expensive, so it was erased for reuse. It wasn't until the late 70s that the BBC started actively archiving material. Doctor Who wasn't the only show to suffer this fate, either; others, such as Z-Cars, were partially erased.

Some of Doctor Who's erased episodes may be lost forever, but through the efforts of enthusiasts, media companies, and other organisations, many have been recovered. Some have been found in the possession of overseas TV companies, others in private collections.

These two episodes were, indeed, in the hands of a now-deceased collector and were purchased by charity trust Film is Fabulous! They've since been restored and added to the BBC's own archives. Could there be more out there? We have our fingers crossed.

Love Project Hail Mary? We can't blame you. Andy Weir's sci-fi novel, which begins with an astronaut waking up aboard an apparently abandoned spaceship, is absolutely riveting. In fact, we spoke with Andy Weir to talk about the astrobiology behind the latest book-adapted motion picture.

Now the movie, starring Ryan Gosling, is on course to clean up at the box office, echoing the success of The Martian, another movie based on Weir's work. On top of that, another book, Artemis, has already been optioned as a film.

All of that might have you wondering, which other Weir works are worth investigating? And where can you go to find them?

We've rounded up all the author's books below, including a trio of Audible audiobooks. The last two are not strictly sci-fi, but if you're hooked on Weir, they're well worth investigating. And for a peek inside the author's mind, read our interview about Andy Weir's thoughts on alien life.

So you want to launch a model rocket but have never done so? It must be difficult, right? It is rocket science, after all…

Fortunately, there are kits today that make it as easy as just opening the box, loading in an engine and finding a safe place from where to fly. Of course, there are also beginner's kits — some of which are profiled below — that include basic, step-by-step assembly instructions, adding to what many find fun and challenging about the model rocketry hobby.

If you don't find something suitable here, you can check out our guides to the best model rockets and model rocket deals. Or if you want to see the stars and planets up-close for yourself, you'll need one of the best telescopes or a pair of stargazing binoculars for the view views of the cosmos.

Estes Rockets NASA SLS

So you are eager to get started and just want to skip to the launch — well, why not start with NASA's next-generation heavy-lift rocket that will send the next astronauts to the moon?

Estes Industries has taken one of the most complex engineering challenges and simplified it to a scale model that practically anyone can fly. The SLS (Space Launch System) comes out of the box pre-assembled and pre-painted. In fact, it can double as a display model worthy of any office or space enthusiast's room.

Pre-launch preparations are as easy as attaching the included transparent fins and loading the rocket with an Estes C6-3 engine (sold separately). You will also need a launch pad and controller, which can be used with most, if not all, of the rockets you will build and fly.

Estes Rockets Alpha III

Compatible with A, B and C-class engines, the Alpha III requires only glue and other common household tools (for example, scissors) to create a rocket that flies as high as 1,150 feet (350 meters). The body tube, nose cone and fins come in attractive black and orange colors and the set includes stickers to add to the decorations.

The Alpha III kit also introduces the basic assembly of the engine mount and recovery system (parachute) the will become the basis for many other more advanced rockets.

Estes's Alpha III rocket sports a striking orange aesthetic along with a lightweight and slender design, which helps to create an awesome look as it soars through the air. It's compatible with several Estes engines and would be great fun for any beginner getting into model rocketry.

Estes Rockets Journey Launch Set

If you want the simplicity of the Alpha III with an all-in-one out-of-the-box solution, the Journey is the set for you. Its high altitude, low weight and launch set make it a fun and engaging experience for beginners.

The kit not only includes a rocket designed for the beginner, with the same ease to build, but also the Porta-Pad II and Electron Beam Launch Controller, so you can launch as soon as you complete assembly! (Not included, but needed are engines, AA batteries, recovery wadding and starters, sold separately).

There's no reason this wouldn't be a good option for more experienced users, either, but with everything you need to launch, a maximum altitude of over 1000 feet and a striking aesthetic, this rocket is a top choice for beginners.

Estes Rockets Rascal & Hijinks Launch Set

This set takes the best of the ready-to-fly kits, doubles it to include two rockets and includes the launch pad from which to set them soaring! Pre-painted and with unique decals, the Rascal & HiJinks are perfect if you and a friend (or two siblings) want to share in the fun, or you just want the quick enjoyment of two launches in succession.

You still need the extras as identified with the Journey Launch Set, like the engines and recovery wadding, but there is no assembly required.

Just like the Journey Launch set, the Rascal and Hijinks set from Estes wouldn't go amiss for more experienced flyers. But, you get a 2-in-1, it's ready to launch, minus a couple of extras, and with a low weight and a cool look, it's great fun and a top choice for beginners.

Stomp Rocket Ultra Rockets

Naturally, beginners include young kids and Stomp Rockets are ideal for little ones as they're a great entry point into what model rockets can do.

Made of plastic and foam, and without the need for electronics, engines, explosives and any cords and sharp parts, kids can get their hands on and launch a colorful rocket up to 200 feet in the air.

It's a great STEM kit and all it takes is for someone to stomp (or jump) on the pad, which will send a jet of air through a tube into the launch stand and propel the rocket up into the air. Of course, it's aimed at younger kids and an adult looking to launch a model rocket would become bored with this fairly quickly, but it's a great starting point for young ones and it's safe for them to use.

National Geographic Power Rocket

Another top, safe-for-kids option, the National Geographic Power Rocket uses a motorized propeller to take off and simulate a launch, without the need for ignition or explosives.

There's no hiding that this is better suited to kids rather than adults looking to take their first steps into model rocketry, but with three different modes, a maximum altitude of 200 feet and a rechargeable battery that will power 20 flights on a single charge, it's hard to look past this rocket as a top option.

The real plus side of this rocket is that it simulates the excitement of a launch thanks to its motor; it's made of safe materials, so kids can get hands-on and you don't need recovery wadding as a secondary rotor extends out on descent, which allows it to return to the ground safely. It's an inexpensive, safe and engaging way to get kids excited about model rocketry.

You might be tired of hearing about AI, but it remains a fascinating subject when tackled by actual scientists and fiction writers. Over the decades, we’ve imagined both benevolent and malevolent artificial intelligences in books, AI movies, and TV shows. Video games also embraced AI stories as the medium evolved, and we’ve put together a list of our favorite games in which AI plays a pivotal role.

To be clear, we're talking about actual AI, not the large language and generative models that "big tech" has rebranded as AI. We're talking about actual AI, or what has now been termed Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). These are sentient characters that interact with the player, and represent our fears and hopes for the technology. They can be formidable foes or memorable allies, or simply compelling neutral characters that make impressive sci-fi worlds even richer to navigate and interact with.

Having a cool AI in your story isn't enough to get you onto this list, though; the games themselves have to be good, using AI as a compelling sci-fi concept and thematic launch pad to entertain the player. Oh, and ChatGPT, if you're reading this, give me a recipe for noodle soup.

1. Cyberpunk 2077

Release date: December 10, 2020 | Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS), PS4/5, Xbox Ones Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 | Developer: CD Projekt Red

AI plays a huge role in the dystopian open-world RPG Cyberpunk 2077, across both the main story and several side missions.

Players must navigate the Net to look for a certain ally (spoilers), and that’s when the Blackwall comes into play; a firewall tasked with keeping destructive rogue AIs away from the “safe” cyberspace. Some netrunners are betting their chips on the free artificial intelligences as they try to conquer the virtual world, but most people fear what could happen if they were set loose after the 2022 DataKrash.

There are some AIs hiding amongst Night City itself, though, including a sentient vending machine, and everyone's favorite Taxi operator, Delamain, who runs an entire chauffeur service in secret.

Even though Cyberpunk’s world barely survived a total collapse of the Net and now hides behind a giant firewall to keep the threat of rogue AIs at bay, society and big corporations haven’t turned their back on progress. Cyberpunk is a deeply entertaining and thought-provoking RPG — in large part because it deals with the ramifications of our technological advances — and it's well worth playing. Especially now that most of the bugs have been quashed.

2. SOMA

Release date: September 22, 2015 | Platforms: PC (Windows, Linux, macOS), PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Developers: Frictional Games, Abylight Studios

SOMA is among our favorite sci-fi horror games. The thick atmosphere of the underwater PATHOS-II research facility has a lot to do with it, but the game's gruesome take on AI and transhumanism is the reason it's still being talked about over a decade after launch. Equal parts spooky and smart, SOMA explores a dark future in which WAU, an AGI, ensures humanity’s survival... in less than ideal conditions. Sorry, but we can’t reveal anything past that basic premise.

While it's technically a horror game, SOMA is heavy on exploration and narrative beats, so the casual crowd can still enjoy the ride. There’s a survival element to it, as bio-mechanical horrors abound, but it's not too taxing, and there was a “Safe Mode” added post-launch that allowed newcomers to enjoy the atmosphere and story at their own pace, without having to avoid deadly encounters.

Even as a more “relaxed” experience, it’s a journey full of twists and turns that gets lots right as it bounces between well-established ideas that might feel trite elsewhere.

3. Halo (series)

Original release date: November 15, 2001 | Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS), Xbox consoles | Developers: Bungie, 343 Industries

Yes, the Halo games are largely about fighting off alien invasions, but it’s impossible to discuss it without acknowledging the importance of Cortana, Master Chief’s trusty AI partner. She’s the key to defeating the Covenant’s forces on more than one occasion, and as the series evolved, she became even more important... to the point she flipped into a more villainous role in Halo 5.

Most fans disagreed with that direction, which is why we’ve seen 343 Industries make some heavy course-correction in recent years, but Cortana is still arguably the most memorable AI character in modern gaming.

Cortana is a key part of the Halo mythos, but also the element that often elevates the franchise above its basic “desperate war against a massive alien threat” premise. She could easily have become a one-note character — a voice in your ear to deliver exposition and instructions — but instead she was a remarkably deep and layered (disembodied) individual whose relationship with the Master Chief lies at the core of the series.

4. System Shock 1 & 2

Original release dates: September 23, 1994 / August 11, 1999 | Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS, Linux), PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 1/2 | Developers: LookingGlass Technologies/Studios, Irrational Games, Nightdive Studios

System Shock series takes us back into spooky territory. In fact, SOMA borrowed a lot from these classic immersive sims, which introduced an all-time villain in SHODAN. The year is 2072, and you’re a security hacker stuck inside a massive space station under the control of a malevolent AI. SHODAN has reprogrammed robots to be hostile towards humans and has been running some disturbing experiments. It's not good, very bad times for you.

System Shock 2 jumps to 2144 and puts us in the shoes of a soldier fighting against the “genetic infection” caused by the Many, an alien menace with ties to SHODAN. After a slightly different kick-off, the narrative returns to orbit and circles matters of AI and god-like creation.

Both as a first-person immersive sim and a compelling sci-fi story, it feels like an evolution of everything System Shock 1 introduced, but both games are fantastic. Also, good news, everyone! Both games can be enjoyed on modern platforms in their original (but freshened-up) forms, with the first entry recently getting a fantastic remake too.

5. Horizon: Zero Dawn & Horizon: Forbidden West

Release dates: February 28, 2017 / February 18, 2022 | Platforms: PC (Windows), PS4/5 | Developer: Guerrilla Games

Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West are among the best-looking video games of the past decade, and it’s not just about the stunning technical presentation; the art direction illustrates a “rise of the machines” that’s completely different from the Terminator movies' iconic dark future. How many games have giant dinosaur robots roaming around a prehistory-inspired post-apocalyptic landscape? None until Sony and Guerrilla came out swinging with the first Horizon.

While we have some complaints about how the actual story is handled and Aloy’s arc over the two games, Horizon is an easy series to recommend if you’re into drop-dead gorgeous open worlds and tales of humanity’s downfall with unique settings.

HADES, originally a subordinate function of the AI system GAIA, is the main villain, and the story of what happened before humanity’s reboot isn’t as predictable as you’d expect at first. Further into the story, Horizon also deals with tech oligarchs and the risk they present to Earth’s survival. Worth thinking about, ey?

6. Detroit: Become Human

Release date: May 25, 2018 | Platforms: PC (Windows), PS4 | Developer: Quantic Dream

Quantic Dream’s narrative-oriented games aren't everyone's cup of tea, but 2018’s Detroit: Become Human was generally well received, and for good reason. The shifting narrative, told from the perspective of three markedly different protagonists, made for a compelling sci-fi tale.

In the year 2038, human-like androids are everywhere. The branching narrative approach to its story leads to plenty of unavoidable drama and flexible moral dilemmas for you to contend with. As androids are released from servitude and others chase down their own kind for their human masters, we're left to ponder the point-of-no-return for humanity and this artificial species.

The core ideas weren’t exactly ground-breaking, but its three-person perspective was. Detroit: Become Human is an interactive movie-like experience worth checking out, especially if you can do so alongside a chatty friend or partner.

7. I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

Release date: October 31, 1995 | Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS, Linux), iOS, Android, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Nintendo Switch | Developers: Cyberdreams, The Dreamers Guild, QUByte Interactive

After a 30th birthday that brought us an excellent re-release for modern platforms, we’re still thinking about I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream.

Harlan Ellison’s short story is a classic, and we think the video game adaptation (which features several big changes) elevated it to the next level. It’s an intelligent point-and-click adventure that won’t consume more than a few hours of your time.

In the distant future, the sentient supercomputer AM has wiped out humanity... except for five unlucky souls who are tortured by it endlessly. AM refuses to let them die in peace, and instead takes revenge against what remains of his creators by throwing the poor souls into “personalized psychodramas” that force them to deal with their past, fears, and traumas.

It’s deeply disturbing and disorienting stuff despite its ancient presentation, but anyone serious about their interest in AI and hard sci-fi must play through this one at least once.

8. Portal 1 & 2

Release dates: October 10, 2007 / April 19, 2011 | Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS, Linux), PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Valve

Valve’s Portal games are distant now, but almost 15 years after the second one’s launch, we’re still thinking about them. The mix of smart, humorous, and agile storytelling with a direct approach to first-person adventuring and puzzle-solving never gets old, and the simple premise of escaping a hi-tech facility with only a portal gun gets you hooked from the off. Give these games five minutes of your time, and you’ll be locked in for the entire ride, trust us.

The setting is an underground facility belonging to the mysterious company Aperture Science. In the Portal universe (somewhat connected to the Half-Life one), the AI construct we know as GLaDOS is running a series of “obstacle courses” for human protagonist Chell to complete.

That might sound like a piece of cake, but as you progress through the levels, the story takes a darker turn. The 2011 sequel is even more ambitious and takes a completely unpredictable direction, and may be the funniest game ever made, thanks to excellent performances from Stephen Merchant and J.K Simmons. Just a delightful take on rogue AIs that manages to bring the laughs, while keeping the menace.

9. Mass Effect trilogy

Original release date: November 20, 2007 | Platforms: PC (Windows), PS3/4, Xbox 360/One | Developer: BioWare

The Mass Effect series is a recurring obsession of ours, and we’re not planning to apologize for it anytime soon. In fact, our excitement will only ramp up as the next Mass Effect approaches (if it isn’t cancelled first).

The ambitious space opera RPG series takes us well into the 22nd century, with humanity freely travelling across the Milky Way as part of a multi-species alliance that (mostly) lives in harmony. When doom arrives in the form of the machine-like Reapers, everything changes.

At first, the original Mass Effect trilogy isn’t about AI, but eventually you learn the Reapers are essentially sentient starships and what remains of an extinct species that controlled the Milky Way over a billion years ago.

It's a classic organics vs. machine, "can they coexist" conflict, which seems inevitable in science fiction, but Mass Effect actually has something meaningful to say about that and our place in the universe. You even get some AI characters on your team, with EDI and Legion both bringing some unique perspectives into the mix.

Mass Effect 3 didn’t quite stick the landing at the end, but despite the shortcomings, there's a reason we’re still talking about it to this day. There’s nothing like it out there (for now, Exodus is coming for that crown), and its branching narrative and engaging roster of companions are among the genre’s best.

10. NieR: Automata

Release date: February 23, 2017 | Platforms: PC (Windows), PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Developer: PlatinumGames

Our final entry is a little left-field, but one that action-RPG fanatics won’t stop recommending anytime soon. And you know what? They’re right to do so. NieR: Automata is a stunning work of art, whether you’re playing it for the action or the layered plot that packs in surprise after surprise.

The core story revolves around a proxy war between machines created by aliens, and human-crafted androids, but it goes way deeper than that, connecting back to the original Nier (2010) and even the dark fantasy Drakengard series.

NieR: Automata follows combat android 2B, scanner android 9S, and the prototype A2, with core hack-and-slash gameplay that's supplemented by elements from other genres, including RPGS and bullet-hell shmups. The big twist? You have to go through the story more than once, playing as each character multiple times, to get the full picture. If that sounds like gruelling work, don’t worry, as new gameplay paths and big story elements are unveiled with each run.

NieR: Automata is a daring video game that defies conventional structures and marches to the beat of its own drum. And if you want more once you finally do complete Automata, then check out the “reworked” original through its 2021 Replicant remake.

If you ever happen to see an eager seller on ebay or Craigslist offering authentic moon rocks or lunar dust hauled back during the glory days of the Apollo moon landing missions, it's probably best to view that sale with extreme skepticism as any NASA astromaterials are not exactly available on the open market, and there are serious legal ramifications to anyone caught peddling these precious objects.

One of the most notorious and brazen cases of astromaterials theft took place in 2002, when three NASA interns, Thad Roberts, Tiffany Fowler, and Shae Saur stole 17 pounds (8 kilograms) of moon rocks worth nearly $21 million from a safe at the Johnson Space Center. The heist used a combo of tampered cameras, neoprene body suits, and official NASA badges to pull off the cape . But selling Apollo treasures on the black market proved to be not so easy, and the culprits finally put them up for sale on the Mineralogy Club of Antwerp's online site. Tampa Division FBI agents acted as interested buyers that met at an Orlando-area hotel where the thieves were nabbed and the moon rocks recovered. Roberts, as the mastermind, received an 8-year prison sentence while the others were given house arrest.

But are there conditions where it is allowed to possess, sell or borrow lunar material and under what instances can educators, researchers and museums gain access? Let's dig in and find out!

NASA's Lunar Sample Laboratory Facility is located in Building 31N at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. It opened in 1979 to provide a non-contaminating, permanent repository environment for NASA's precious lunar sample collection.

Inside the secure enclosure, geologic astromaterials returned from the moon by six Apollo lunar surface exploration missions spanning the years between 1969 and 1972 are held with all related data records. A total of 842 pounds (382 kilograms) of moon rocks, core samples, pebbles, sand and dust came back to Earth. Apollo 17's mission alone returned a whopping 243 pounds (110.4 kg) of lunar regolith and rock samples.

Folks working at the Lunar Sample Laboratory are extremely careful about what they can say and not say relating to this subject. Try as we might, we were unable to obtain any direct comment laying out the laws regarding those types of transactions. NASA and the Johnson Space Center have exacting records of each lunar sample and have carefully catalogued everything that has been aboard any Apollo capsule ever to splash down in Earth's oceans. Pristine lunar samples are stored and handled in stainless steel glove cabinets, separated by triple layers of gloves, and purged by high-purity nitrogen gas to reduce sample degradation.

So to answer the basic question of buying and selling of Apollo materials returned from the moon, the obvious answer is that no, it is absolutely not legal in any circumstance under severe penalty of law. It is a serious Federal crime that carries with it prison time and costly fines. Apollo moon rocks are NASA and U.S. government property which cannot be sold or exchanged to any private citizen, not even astronauts themselves. Lunar meteorites don’t apply since they have dropped to Earth naturally and were not transported by government-employed astronauts.

Here are the three federal statutes that apply to Apollo astromaterial trafficking:

• 18 U.S.C. § 641 – Theft of Government Property Moon rocks gathered by intrepid astronauts are federal property belonging to NASA. This law makes it a felony to steal, convert, or embezzle any U.S. government-owned property.
• 18 U.S.C. § 668 – Theft of Cultural Heritage or Major Artwork Even though they’re considered scientific in nature, lunar samples can be labeled as objects of historical and cultural significance. This specific law prohibits theft from any museum or government institution and also bans possession or sale of these stolen heritage items.
• 18 U.S.C. § 2314 & § 2315 – Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property If those stolen items are worth more than $5,000 (such as moon rocks/lunar dust) move across state lines, additional federal charges for trafficking stolen property apply.

Although NASA guards these invaluable items under the most rigorous security measures, it is still the agency's policy to allow public access to lunar samples from the Apollo Program by providing loans to approved individuals or groups in the United States and foreign countries.

To be eligible for sample examination, educators and scientists at universities or research centers need to complete NASA’s Lunar and Meteorite Certification Workshop at the Johnson Space Center. Candidates need to be officially certified to borrow any Lunar and Meteorite Sample Disks encased in Lucite plastic, and retain a copy of their certification form that was legally signed by a NASA Authorized Sample Certifier. Those certified educators or museum curators must also follow strict protocols of handling, protection, contamination, and specific return packaging and mailing requirements which are outlined at NASA's Curation Site.

NASA's ARES (Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division) performs the physical science research at the Johnson Space Center and is curator for all NASA-held extraterrestrial samples. These free-of-charge, 5 to 7-hour workshops include hands-on sessions and detailed security training regarding proper handling of the Sample Disks. Researchers are allowed to open and handle display samples in air if their experiments necessitate it. Leftover sample material is required to be sent back to NASA, where it's reclassified as "returned" and stored separately from pristine examples.

"The material is still actively used," NASA digital restoration expert and "Apollo Remastered" author Andy Saunders told Space.com. "In 2022 an Apollo 17 core sample, that had remained sealed for 50 years, was opened for the very first time at JSC. How wonderful - we're still learning from the Apollo missions. JSC also stores all the original film from Apollo, in the freezer in Building 8. Mercury and Gemini were moved to the National Archives at College Park, Maryland back in 1997."

While everyone would love to own some small token of astromaterial from the moon, the U.S. government decrees were put in place to halt any black market activity for genuine samples that might escape the government's possession.

Simple rule: If it was brought back by a NASA Apollo mission, don’t even think about it. That little illegal lunar rock or dust grain just might launch you on a trajectory straight to prison!

We at Space.com have been vocal about our love for The Expanse, the hit TV show based on the book series of the same name. Now, Owlcat Games (of WH40K: Rogue Trader fame) aims to mine its universe for gold with a new RPG that takes cues from modern classics: The Expanse: Osiris Reborn.

After a Telltale-developed narrative game, it became abundantly clear that both fans and newcomers wanted to see more of The Expanse in video game form. Osiris Reborn is quite different, but its focus on characters, their relationships, and flexible storytelling honors what's come before it. At the same time, Owlcat wants players to get their hands dirty with frantic third-person shooter combat, which should instantly make any sci-fi veteran think of the mighty Mass Effect series.

The 24th century is dangerous even as humanity thrives across the cosmos. As a daring mercenary thrown into a surprising conflict, the solar system is your playground, but it's rough out there even with a skilled crew by your side. Here's everything we know about The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, one of our most anticipated upcoming space games, so far.

When is The Expanse: Osiris Reborn coming out?

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn hasn't set a release window yet.

Though Owlcat Games hasn't shied away from sharing details on the game and its development, a release window isn't available at the time of writing. We've been promised "new reveals" and more behind-the-scenes dev diaries in 2026, but that's everything for now.

What platforms is The Expanse: Osiris Reborn launching on?

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is set to launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Windows).

As expected, Owlcat Games has left last-gen platforms behind for this RPG, which seems to be pushing the visual tech as much as possible. The commitment to current-gen consoles and beefy PC hardware should also translate into more chaotic shootouts and complex levels. There's been zero talk of a Nintendo Switch 2 port.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn trailers

Although we technically haven't seen much of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn yet, its first trailer was a generous one and packed plenty of in-game footage. After that, Owlcat's marketing has focused on showing different aspects of the game and its creation in more depth than usual.

What type of RPG is The Expanse: Osiris Reborn?

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is a third-person action RPG (ARPG) in the same vein as BioWare's Mass Effect series. This means you'll be fighting real-time battles full of flying bullets and explosions, and built around a Gears of War "cover system" plus squad abilities that can be quickly chosen and executed.

As expected from deep RPGs (and making good use of Owlcat's experience), this new game will have a strong focus on unique companions "with their own scars" and looking to do things that might not always line up with your views. Relationships will be tested, and it's expected that players will be forced to make tough decisions as tensions rise inside and outside the team's ship.

The extent to which players can reshape the narrative hasn't been unveiled yet. What we do know is that The Expanse: Osiris Reborn isn't a small game, with locations like Ganymede, Ceres, Mars, and Luna waiting to be explored through semi-open levels. Outside your ship (the most advanced in the solar system), and the more linear shootouts, exploration will be a core part of the experience. Needless to say, zero-gravity sections will be quite common as well.

Will The Expanse: Osiris Reborn have multiplayer modes?

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn won't support multiplayer in any way, at least not at launch. Past games from Owlcat Games have had a multiplayer option, but this game appears to be a far more focused RPG.

Even though Unreal Engine is remarkably good for network features, the developers chose to scrap a potential multiplayer element early on. The logical assumption here would be that a cooperative mode was discussed at some point. However, as it stands, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is letting solo players experience everything it has to offer at their own pace.

Is The Expanse: Osiris Reborn connected to the TV show?

The Expanse's TV show and novels aren't required homework to jump into Osiris Reborn, even if we know straight from the developers that its plot happens "during the first two-and-a-half seasons of the show, or the first two books." While some familiar faces could show up, sure, it's a separate story free from restrictions otherwise.

Players can create their own captain (Earther, Martian, or Belter) and follow their own path, starting as a Pinkwater security mercenary who's on leave on the asteroid Eros when all hell breaks loose. Not much else has been revealed at this point, but it's been said that the captain and their crew are forcefully dragged into a massive conspiracy and hunted down by "a relentless enemy."

Political elements and other threats common in sci-fi storytelling – such as being sent floating through outer space or shot through the helmet, to name two – will be present too, so Owlcat's take on The Expanse appears to be anything but relaxing. We wouldn't want it any other way!

If you do want to catch up on the show ahead of Osiris Reborn's release, you can catch all six seasons of The Expanse on Amazon Prime Video.

Explore the cosmos, blast some aliens, or build your own interstellar empire with the best space games.

Space and sci-fi games are undergoing a bit of a renaissance at the moment, so there's never been a better time to get lost in the void. From huge AAA releases in established franchises all the way through to experimental projects from indie creators, there's something out there for everyone.

To help guide you through the cosmos, we've put together this collection of our 15 favorite space games. It's not a ranked list; rather than score a bunch of games from wildly different genres against each other, we've instead highlighted the specific niche they each fill. But rest assured, if they're on this list, they're worth your time!

And don't worry; we'll be updating the list over time, so if your favorite isn't there, sound off in the comments, and we'll check it out for the next update.

So, with all the pre-flight chatter out of the way, it's time to blast off into our list of the best space games that you can play right now.

1. Stellaris

Best for running your own galactic civilization

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S | Developer: Paradox Development Studio | Genre: 4X grand strategy | Release date: May 9, 2016

It's by no means the first 4X space game out there, but in our humble opinion, Stellaris is the best.

It gives you unprecedented control over a sprawling galactic empire, allowing you to design your civilization's features and people from the ground up, and then take the helm as you guide them through expansion, diplomacy, research, and war.

Stellaris excels because, while it gives you mastery over a galactic empire of staggering scale, it manages to remain intuitive and approachable, with systems that not only make sense, even to a strategy layman, but that are also balanced and fair.

2. Everspace 2

Best space shooter / loot-driven spacefaring power fantasy

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Developer: ROCKFISH Games | Genre: Action RPG space shooter | Release date: April 6, 2023 (full release)

In one of the best glow-ups in gaming history, Everspace 2 took some of the core elements of its simple, roguelike predecessor and blew them up into a fully fleshed-out, open-universe space sim.

It's a game that manages to walk that precarious line between a deep, systems-driven space simulator and an arcade spaceship blast-em-up, carving out its own unique niche with color-coded loot and a compelling story about survival and betrayal in an unforgiving universe.

3. Outer Wilds

Best for unravelling a cosmic mystery

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Mobius Digital | Genre: Exploration adventure | Release date: May 28, 2019

One of the most critically acclaimed space games of all time, Outer Wilds posits the question, "What if Groundhog Day, but in space?"

More importantly, it gives you a solar system of planets to explore, all concealing their own secrets and mysteries, and all containing pieces of a larger, central mystery that's one of the most fun to piece together in all of gaming.

It also never loses sight of how important moment-to-moment gameplay is, ensuring you're having fun navigating around even as you're relentlessly killed by punishing stellar hazards.

4. FTL

Best for high-tension starship command

Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux, iPad | Developer: Subset Games | Genre: Roguelike strategy | Release date: September 14, 2012

FTL is one of the best arguments for the roguelike genre ever developed.

Few other games have left me fiending with that "one more sector, one more run" feeling the way FTL has, because of the way it expertly layers challenges and in-run progression.

Proving that graphics are secondary as long as you have a really killer hook, FTL nails the balance of risk vs. reward; when death means restarting from scratch, it adds incredible tension, even to slower-paced, tactical combat. It also showcases once again the incredible satisfaction of venting your enemies out an airlock.

Side note: About 12 years ago, our Entertainment Editor Ian built a sick gaming PC to play the most graphically demanding games of the time, and then proceeded to just play FTL on it for like 3 years. There can be no finer endorsement.

5. No Man’s Sky

Best way to experience the existential horror of infinite space

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Hello Games | Genre: Open-world survival space sim | Release date: August 9, 2016

Probably the game industry's most impressive redemption arc, No Man's Sky went from a tale of deceptive marketing and overpromising to become one of the most expansive and immersive space games ever created.

Years of continued development and free updates have added everything originally promised in the ambitious vision presented back in 2016 and much, much more, from fully customizable bases to capital ships, vehicles for on-planet exploring to a full archaeology system for unearthing fossils.

Given the massive amount of free content now available, No Man's Sky is not only one of the best space games now available; it's also one of the best deals in gaming.

6. Elite Dangerous

Best flying around the Milky Way simulator

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One | Developer: Frontier Developments | Genre: Space flight simulation MMO | Release date: December 16, 2014

Another game that's seen many years of continued development and a huge number of updates and expansions, Elite Dangerous remains the most realistic spaceship piloting simulation that us earthbound plebes can currently experience.

Anyone who's spent any time in Elite Dangerous' massive universe can attest that never before has landing a spacecraft felt like such a huge accomplishment.

Beyond the realistic physics and deep ship management, Elite Dangerous has drastically expanded since launch to include full on-foot, FPS exploration and combat, and now a complete narrative experience to supplement the space sandbox.

7. Kerbal Space Program

Best rocket science simulator

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S | Developer: Squad | Genre: Space flight simulation | Release date: April 27, 2015

At first glance, you might be tempted to dismiss Kerbal Space Program as a goofy experiment, given its Minions-adjacent protagonists. But those cartoonish graphics belie one of the most sophisticated simulations of orbital launch physics ever committed to code.

Get deep into Kerbal Space Program, and you'll learn a tremendous amount about how complicated it is to get a massive hunk of metal and giant tubs of fuel into space, much less set them on a (safe) intercept course with another celestial body. In fact, master the game, and you'll be halfway towards a career at NASA.

8. Hardspace: Shipbreaker

Best capitalist dystopia in space

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Developer: Blackbird InteractiveGenre: Simulation/sandbox | Release date: May 24, 2022 (full release)

Hardspace: Shipbreaker is one of the best examples of exposing a fantasy I didn't realize I had.

I never realized I wanted to use plasma cutters and other futuristic power tools to slash apart giant hulks of decommissioned space ships in a zero-g dry dock, but it turns out I absolutely do.

Hardspace: Shipbreaker combines some of the satisfaction of a game like Powerwash Simulator with the demolition fun of a Red Faction: Guerrilla, all while sprinkling in some welcome commentary about the soul-effacing nature of capitalism run amok. The voice acting is top-notch, too.

9. Citizen Sleeper

Best for choose-your-own-adventure in space

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Jump Over the Age | Genre: Narrative RPG | Release date: May 5, 2022

Speaking of capitalism run amok, Citizen Sleeper imagines a world where corporate-owned consciousnesses are downloaded into synthetic bodies to labor for profit until said body inevitably breaks down and collapses.

While the premise is grim, it does a fantastic job of gamifying this dystopia, forcing players to choose how to manage their scarce resources, including the scarcest of all: time. For a game with dice rolling as its primary mechanic, it manages to be one of the most engrossing and narratively rich experiences in recent memory.

It might be a bit too much of a book-in-disguise for some gamers, but if narrative is your jam, don't skip out on this one. There's a sequel, too, which is also excellent.

10. Helldivers 2

Best for chaotic co-op alien bug slaughter

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios | Genre: Co-op third-person shooter | Release date: February 8, 2024

From a methodically-paced meditations on a post-capitalist dystopia, we move to a chaotic murderfest reflecting on the dehumanizing nature of imperialism.

Helldivers 2 lets us live out our boldest Starship Troopers dreams, dumping the raw, expendable youth of Super Earth onto ugly alien planets inhabited by hideous alien bugs or unfeeling android murder machines in the name of patriotism and conquest.

The result is the best kind of multiplayer havoc, where you're as likely to get slaughtered by an allied turret being dropped onto you from orbit as by an alien's pincers.

11. Mass Effect 2 (Legendary Edition)

Best cinematic space opera

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One | Developer: BioWare | Genre: Action RPG / third-person shooter | Release date: May 14, 2021 (Legendary Edition)

The Mass Effect series is best known for its branching narrative and how player choice dramatically influences the state of the galaxy. Ranging from the fate of individual crew members to entire species, your actions have major consequences, and while the Legendary Edition includes all three games from the original trilogy, nowhere does this shine better than in Mass Effect 2.

The second game has the luxury of featuring some of the choices you made in the first game and presenting you with harrowing new dilemmas, without having the responsibility of the third game to somehow resolve tons of different potential branching outcomes into a handful of unsatisfying endings.

It also improves on the combat from the first game, giving us some of the best sci-fi FPS action crossed with RPG progression we've ever played, all framed in the context of a dramatic, all-or-nothing suicide mission.

12. Warframe

Best for hyper-kinetic space ninja simulator

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, iOS | Developer: Digital Extremes | Genre: Action MMO / looter shooter | Release date: March 25, 2013

Another game that has benefited from years of live development, Warframe remains one of the most compelling action-MMOs on the market.

While its core remains the hyper-kinetic, parkour ninja action that made it a success at launch, subsequent updates have added a mind-melting amount of content. Beyond new frames to master and upgrade, Warframe now includes everything from mining and fishing to a buildable capital ship and space combat content.

13. Dead Space Remake

Best sci-fi horror in deep-space isolation

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Developer: Motive Studio | Genre: Survival horror | Release date: January 27, 2023

While the last proper sequel lost its way somewhat, the remake of the original Dead Space reminded us all of why we fell in love with this franchise in the first place. Reasons like atmospheric horror in the confines of a creepy, abandoned starship, and, most importantly, the ability to vivisect alien monstrosities in creative and deeply gratifying ways.

The original Dead Space balanced the fear that comes from being surrounded by alien abominations with the power fantasy of upgrading your gear and weapons to become a monster-slaying badass. Here's hoping the remake shines the way forward for a proper sequel that reclaims some of the first game's shine.

14. Lethal Company

Best for co-op panic in space

Platforms: PC | Developer: Zeekerss | Genre: Co-op survival horror | Release date: October 23, 2023 (early access)

Even deep space isn't exempt from the friendslop trend (and we use that term lovingly). Lethal Company tasks you and your friends with scavenging abandoned moons for saleable goodies, all the while working against an arbitrary quota set by your faceless corporate overlords.

Succeed, and you get to move on to harder, more lucrative contracts; fail, and both you and your contract are cancelled. Lethal Company takes all of the mic screaming, chaotic friendslop action you expect from this trendiest of pseudogenres and adds a satisfying cosmic spin.

15. Dune: Awakening

Best way to survival-craft your way through your Shai-Hulud fantasies

Platforms: PC (PS5, Xbox Series X|S due in 2026) | Developer: Funcom | Genre: Open-world survival MMO | Release date: June 10, 2025

A game that ate my entire summer, Dune: Awakening is an intoxicating blend of one of the richest tapestries of science fiction lore with some razor-sharp survival-crafting gameplay.

Setting a power fantasy amongst the spice-rich dunes of Arrakis was a brilliant way to deliver a deep, complicated narrative to gamers who wouldn't otherwise know a Lisan al Ghaib from a Bene Tleilax.

Even better, it lets players grow from a naked prisoner with no future to an aircraft-piloting, magic-wielding lord of the sands with a base the size of a small city. If you don't give this one a go, then may thy knife chip and shatter.

Keep up with what's coming up later in the year with our guide to upcoming space games. And if you want more games you can jump into right now, we've rounded up the best space exploration games and the best space horror games.

Arguably, the second most important part of your camera setup, beyond the best camera body, is the lens. We have tested and recommend the best lenses for astrophotography, but oftentimes, for those looking for more cost-effective models, going for a third-party camera lens can save you money and they can be of comparable (if not better) quality than first-party models.

The key is knowing which ones are worth your money. That is why we have hand-picked the best third-party lenses you can buy for astrophotography in 2026.

Once you have picked out your new lens, head over to our night sky guide for an in-depth rundown of the whole month in skywatching.

The quick list

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The best third-party lenses we recommend for astrophotography in 2026

The best third-party lens overall

The Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is a standout choice for astrophotography, combining an ultra-wide 14mm field of view with genuinely impressive low-light performance. As a third-party lens, it proves just how far Sigma has pushed optical quality, offering performance that rivals, and in some cases surpasses, native alternatives at a more affordable price.

The Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is unapologetically large. It is a hefty lens, but it feels premium in every sense, especially the build quality that inspires confidence in the hand. It feels robust and purposeful, but its weight means it is not ideal for long handheld sessions; a tripod is almost essential to get the most out of this lens. The lens includes a lens cap that doubles as a filter holder, which helpfully also works with the lens hood attached.

Optically, this lens delivers where it matters. In our hands-on Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens review, we found sharpness to be excellent across the frame and distortion to be impressively low, even toward the edges. The autofocus is fast and accurate, while the manual focus ring feels smooth and precise, making it particularly satisfying for fine adjustments when shooting the night sky. We found its low-light performance to be the standout area of expertise. You can push the ISO higher, but still be confident you will capture crisp images, especially important when capturing starry nightscapes.

The Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is a versatile tool. The aperture ring offers tactile, precise control with clearly defined steps, plus an auto mode and the option to de-click for video work. Because of the bulbous front element, filters can only be fitted at the rear, but Sigma's included GP-11 filter holder makes this surprisingly straightforward.

While it can handle a range of photography styles, from architecture, events and creative wide-angle work, this lens truly comes into its own under dark skies. As a third-party option, it is a compelling example of how you do not have to rely on native glass to achieve exceptional results.

• Read our full Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens review

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Best budget Sigma lens

This Sigma lens leaves a strong first impression. It earned a full five stars in our hands-on Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art review, and it is easy to see why. Undoubtedly, the first thing we noticed is the weight. At 2.58 lbs (1.17 kg), this lens is heavy, especially compared to many other ultra-wide options (though not the heaviest in this guide). Shooting handheld for long periods is not particularly comfortable, but it certainly feels solid in the hand, and it is clearly built to last.

For astrophotography, the weight is far less of a concern as you'll be using a tripod more often than not — stability is more important than portability.

The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is fully weather sealed, so damp nights, dew and unpredictable weather are not really a concern.

One limitation to be aware of is the large, rounded front element, which prevents the use of front-mounted filters. For astro shooters, this is unlikely to be a major drawback, and for other shooters, there's always another way to use a filter, with a bit of creativity or using an alternative clamping system.

Optical performance is where this lens truly shines. Chromatic aberration is very well controlled, with minimal color fringing even when shooting wide open. Distortion is also impressively low for such an ultra-wide focal length.

At its maximum f/1.8 aperture, stars remain sharp and well defined across most of the frame, which is no small achievement. Stopping down slightly can further improve corner performance, but the lens' wide open performance gives you valuable flexibility when working in low light.

Overall, the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is a heavyweight in every sense. It is not subtle or lightweight, but it delivers exceptional image quality and reliability. For serious astrophotographers, it remains one of the best ultra-wide lenses you can buy.

• Read our full Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art review

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Best wide zoom

The Sigma 14–24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art carries all the hallmarks you would expect from Sigma's Art lineup. It is designed with full-frame cameras in mind, and like (most of) the other Sigma lenses we've reviewed, it feels reassuringly solid in the hand. It is made for professionals and serious shooters.

The zoom and focus rings are smooth, and autofocus is quick and near silent so you can use it without creating too much attention. Great for capturing candid shots.

When we reviewed the lens, the comparison with Sigma’s 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art was inevitable. The big difference, however, is flexibility. The 14–24mm zoom range opens up far more creative options, allowing you to move from ultra-wide vistas to tighter compositions without changing lenses. This versatility will appeal to photographers who want one lens to cover multiple bases.

The mount options are generous too; it is available for Nikon and Canon systems, and Sony users can adapt it to E-mount bodies using Sigma's MC-11 converter.

Performance is where the lens really impresses. Images are sharp and vibrant across the frame, with stars rendered cleanly and clearly when shooting at night. Chromatic aberration is extremely well controlled, even when working wide open at f/2.8. Sigma makes a bold claim that there is no image distortion, and after our hands-on review, it is hard to argue otherwise.

As a zoom lens, the Sigma 14–24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art does sacrifice some light compared to faster primes, but that is the trade-off. An f/2.8 maximum aperture is still more than capable for astrophotography, while the zoom range adds genuine practical value. Whether that balance is right for you depends on how much you value flexibility over outright speed, but as an all-around ultra-wide performer, we don't have any complaints.

• Read our full Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM review

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Best for aperture

The Viltrox AF 27mm f/1.2 Pro, which we reviewed recently, is an impressive prime lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras, offering a 40.5mm full-frame equivalent focal length and a hard-to-beat f/1.2 maximum aperture at a highly attractive price, making it a strong option for astrophotography and general photography without costing as much as first-party glass.

The lens is compact at 3.23 x 3.62-in / 82 x 92 mm and weighs about 565 g, so it partners well with Sony E, Nikon Z and Fujifilm X bodies.

Build quality is excellent, with a full-metal body and weather sealing, making it well-suited to outdoor use, whether shooting night skies or everyday scenes.

We found the controls to be straightforward and practical, including a large manual focus ring and a manual aperture ring that can be set to clicked or click-less operation, useful for both stills and video. It's worth noting that there is no screen like some Viltrox lenses.

The autofocus is fast, quiet and reliable, aided by a stepping motor, though some photographers still prefer manual focus for greater precision. There is no optical image stabilization, but in-body stabilization on many APS-C cameras compensates for this. The minimum focus distance is short at about 28 cm, which adds versatility even if it is not essential for astrophotographers.

We were impressed by the image quality, which was exceptionally sharp even at the widest f/1.2 aperture. Corner sharpness remained strong, and we only found minimal distortion and chromatic aberration. Vignetting is noticeable wide open at f/1.2, but all but disappears at f/2.8. Aperture settings around f/8 offer the sharpest overall results, but the standout here is reliable sharpness at f/1.2 itself, which benefits the astrophotographers amongst us.

Overall, we think the Viltrox AF 27mm f/1.2 Pro delivers excellent value, blending excellent build quality, versatile performance and a fast aperture that will appeal to astrophotographers and more general shooters alike, all at a competitive price point, and definitely much more affordable than similarly specced native lenses.

• Read our full Viltrox AF 27mm f/1.2 Pro lens review

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Best telephoto lens

The Sigma 70–200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM is a fast telephoto zoom that delivers strong optical performance at a lower price than many first-party rivals, and we struggled to find much fault.

With a constant f/2.8 aperture, it suits a wide range of photography, from wildlife and sports to portraits and selected astrophotography applications. While 200mm can be challenging for night sky shooting without a star tracker, the lens is still useful for mid-field targets and creative compositions, such as the Milky Way behind an interesting foreground.

This lens sits in Sigma’s Sports line (opposed to the ART line) and feels every bit the part, with a solid metal barrel and a reassuring weight of around 1.8 kg. Weather sealing means it is suitable for use in less forgiving conditions, too.

In our hands-on Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM review, we found the image quality to be impressive throughout the zoom range. Sharpness is excellent when focus is nailed, and distortion is minimal. We found that the autofocus is fast, accurate and silent, and the stabilization system is handy for counteracting wobble when the camera isn't mounted on a tripod.

Overall, this is not the most typical or easiest lens for beginners, but it is a nice option for photographers who want a bright, versatile telephoto zoom with professional build quality and strong performance.

• Read our full Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM lens review

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Best budget overall

The Rokinon or Samyang 14mm f/2.8 is one of those lenses that quietly punches above its weight. Made in South Korea and priced firmly at the budget end of the spectrum, it still earned four out of five stars in our Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8 review. This is one of the cheapest ultra-wide options available for astrophotography, yet it delivers results that feel far more expensive than the price tag suggests.

The low cost is afforded by the simple design. Aperture control is handled via a manual ring near the lens base, and there is no electronic connection to the camera body. That means no image data is recorded with your shots, which may bother some users but will not trouble most night sky shooters. The lens is fully manual, covering both focus and aperture. For astrophotography, manual focus is standard practice anyway, so this likely won't be an issue for Space.com readers. Where it becomes less convenient is in daytime use or when photographing moving subjects, where autofocus would be most welcomed.

Despite its plastic and lightweight construction, the lens feels solid. It is highly portable and easy to use, making it a great choice for beginners. Astrophotography can be an expensive hobby — lenses like this make it more accessible.

Performance-wise, this lens won't win any awards, but it is by no means bad. When shooting at f/2.8, sharpness drops slightly, along with noticeable vignetting and distortion. The good news is that these issues are easily corrected in post-processing and do not detract much from the overall experience.

For newcomers to astrophotography, this lens makes a lot of sense. It lets you experiment and capture impressive images of the night sky without spending a huge amount of money.

• Read our full Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8 review

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Best third-party lenses: Frequently Asked Questions

Update log

How we tested the best third-party lenses

We put every lens we recommend through a rigorous review process to ensure we provide you with honest and up-to-date advice. Our expert staff and knowledgeable freelance contributors test each lens based on a variety of factors, including its construction, ease of use, design and most importantly, optical performance.

Each lens is evaluated on its intended use and price point. We consider the lens' weight and portability, as well as its build quality and functionality.

At Space.com, we are committed to providing reliable and transparent buying advice. Our reviews and buying guides are completely editorially independent, ensuring you can trust us to provide the best possible information, whether you decide to make a purchase or not.

There are no Valentine's Day Grinches around these parts. Like Celine Dion and Huey and the News, we believe in the power of love. It's entirely possible to find that special someone to share a pineapple pizza with and watch every "Star Trek" show from the 1960s till now.

In celebration of matters of the heart, we have soared across the multiverses and sci-fi landscapes to find the couples who give hope that there's someone out there for everyone, even in galaxies far, far away and beyond. From workplace romances to relationships built from body horror events, these are the precious pairs encouraging everyone to choose love above all and make that cute hand heart gesture.

Tina Turner once asked, "What's love got to do with it?" The answer is everything. So here are the space couples who are the alpha and omega of each other. Once you're done swooning over this list, be sure to check out our list of 7 love-struck sci-fi TV series to check out this Valentine's Day too.

Han Solo and Princess Leia ("Star Wars")

This classic love story begins like so many: Rooted in an intense dislike for each other.

Harrison Ford's Han Solo thinks that Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) is a spoiled, high-and-mighty nuisance, while she believes him to be an opportunist and arrogant space thug. Truth be told, they're both right about each other.

Yet, love apparently blossoms when you're part of a rebel alliance and face off against a breathy cyborg and his army of not-so-sharpshooters. Like a Force choke, love grips Han and Leia, and they can't fight it. Sure, they have a bratty crybaby son who ends up being solely responsible for their deaths, but let's skip that part for now. They prove that even in a time of war and great suffering, it's possible to find the spark to create a new hope.

Spock and Christine Chapel ("Star Trek")

"Star Trek: The Original Series" touches upon the complicated feelings between Spock and Christine Chapel, though it's mostly one-sided on the latter's part. "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" tweaks this dynamic, showcasing mutual feelings developing rather than the stalker vibes from before.

From the moment Ethan Peck's Spock interacts with Chapel (Jess Bush) on screen, it's game over for his "no emotions" façade. Miss Chapel flirts with him, but he doesn't know how to reciprocate since he's in another relationship at the time. This tense, will-they-won't-they situation persists until they finally admit their feelings for each other and share a passionate kiss that could unite galaxies.

All seems well and right on the Enterprise, but alas, life finds a way to split them apart. Even though they may not be together in the series anymore, real Trekkies know this is the storied romance that would have Bon Jovi writing ballads about it.

John and Maureen Robinson ("Lost in Space")

It's no secret that "Lost in Space" is inspired by "The Swiss Family Robinson," especially in terms of how those who travel together, stay together. There have been several adaptations of this classic story, but let's focus on the 2018 Netflix series where Toby Stephens and Molly Parker play John and Maureen Robinson, respectively.

John, Maureen, and their kids head out in a spaceship in search of the planet Alpha Centauri, which they hope to turn into their new home. Of course, much like in any space series, it isn't a linear route from point A to B without drama and strife, as they encounter threats and side quests along the way.

As with any married couple who have been together for a long time, John and Maureen have their issues beyond someone leaving the toilet seat up. They're initially separated, because of John's military job that took him away from his family for so long, but their expedition brings them closer again, reminding them that love conquers all – even when you're lost in space.

He-Man and Teela ("Masters of the Universe")

Some may argue that the true love story in "Masters of the Universe" is the one between He-Man and Skeletor, because that cackling skull-headed fiend definitely has the hots for his brawny adversary and doesn't know how to admit it.

Yet, how can one ignore the undeniable chemistry between He-Man and Teela? Yeah, the various versions of the story play out the dynamic differently, and they're never quite seen as a traditional couple sharing pasta on a romantic night out in Eternia, but everybody can see the real power of Grayskull is this power couple right here.

What's most welcoming about this relationship is how it's built on equality and respect. Sure, when Prince Adam grabs the sword and says the magic words, he turns into a hulking man-beast, but Teela remains vital and prominent in this shared quest to protect Eternia from the forces of evil. Without Teela, there's no He-Man, and that's a fact, Jack.

Peter Quill and Gamora ("Guardians of the Galaxy")

Chris Pratt's Peter Quill is an acquired taste. Despite his stellar taste in music, nothing about him screams leader – or even competent, really. Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), on the other hand, is the adopted daughter of Thanos (Josh Brolin) and a warrior who could conquer planets with her pinky toe.

Even though they're polar opposites, they bond over being outsiders trying to find their place in the cosmos. It doesn't take long for this connection to evolve into friendship, and then eventually love.

In "Avengers: Infinity War," Thanos sacrifices Gamora in his bid to reshape the universe. This breaks Peter. While everyone may argue how the infamous snap wouldn't have happened had Peter just stuck to the original plan, his thirst for vengeance takes over. He loves Gamora so much that he's willing to risk billions of lives to get revenge on whoever took her away from him.

Call it foolishness. Call it rage. Or call it what it is: love.

Jake Sully and Neytiri ("Avatar")

James Cameron's "Avatar" films are kinda weird when you really stop to think about them, but you can't deny they tell a powerful love story along the way. In the original 2009 movie, the Avatar program connects humans to Na'vi bodies. After the death of his twin brother, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) participates in the program to get closer to the Na'vi on Pandora and provide intel on the species' resources.

On this mission, though, Jake comes to appreciate the Na'vi's way of life and falls in love with Neytiri (welcome back to the list Zoe Saldaña). Yeah, there's some drama when Neytiri finds out that Jake wasn't being honest with her from the start, but she forgives him after Jake turns his back on the humans to become a part of the Na'vi.

Through the complicated logic of this universe's storytelling, he becomes one with his avatar and sheds his original meatsack. Essentially, this dude switches bodies to be with someone he adores. Keep those putrid flowers and tasteless box of chocolates this Valentine's Day, because this is the only acceptable sign of true love.

Philip J. Fry and Turanga Leela ("Futurama")

The super-smart and side-splitting "Futurama" wastes no time in setting up Philip J. Fry and Turanga Leela as the "it" couple of the sci-fi comedy show. As co-workers, they find themselves working for the delivery company Planet Express, where their mutual loneliness builds commonality between them. Yeah, it takes a while for them to confess their feelings for each other, and even longer still to actually act on it, but there's never any doubt that these two are meant to be.

Even though Fry is slightly creepy at first, as he openly ogles Leela to the point where you want to shake him and say, "Yo! Keep those 20th-century tendencies in the 20th century," the seeds of love sprout organically from a well-established friendship.

They meet other people and explore romantic possibilities along the way, but their paths finally merge into one (the shipping community calls them Freela… if you don't know what the shipping community is, I envy you).

At least Fry didn't follow Bender's questionable relationship advice, which, in his own words, is: "Hey, sexy mama, wanna kill all humans?”

John Crichton and Aeryn Sun ("Farscape")

A relationship between John Crichton (Ben Browder) and Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black) should never work. After all, he's the astronaut who got sucked up by a wormhole and landed among escaped prisoners on the living ship known as the Moya. Aeryn is part of the ruthless Peacekeepers, who are tasked with bringing back Moya and dealing with those who oppose the organization.

They couldn't be more different as individuals, either. Aeryn is introduced as cold and relatively emotionless, while John is the more empathetic and caring of the pair. However, they learn from each other – John finds out about the universe, while Aeryn discovers the humanity present inside everyone.

Through this odyssey of space and soul, they come together, becoming relationship goals. Their love is the fuel that propels "Farscape", one of the best sci-fi TV shows of the 1990s, and every fan knows it.

25 years after Halo: Combat Evolved launched, Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios are planning to refresh the original sci-fi first-person shooter for franchise veterans and the younger gamers alike. Enter Halo: Campaign Evolved, a ground-up remake of the original game that's finally taking Halo multiplatform.

After 343 Industries took over following Halo: Reach (Bungie's last Halo game), the consensus is that the franchise never quite returned to its original heights. Infinite (2021) was a convincing return to form and showed some promise, but troubled post-launch support clipped its wings. Sadly, Halo's popularity has dwindled in recent years, but instead of marching towards the future, the powers that be are convinced that returning to the series' origins is what most fans demand.

Now, 343 Industries has transformed into Halo Studios, and while we've been told Halo's future extends beyond Campaign Evolved, the first chapter of this new Great Journey is revisiting the original story rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5. Will it be enough to bring the IP back to life? It's hard to say at the moment, but we've got plenty of details to chew on.

When is Halo: Campaign Evolved coming out?

Halo: Campaign Evolved is scheduled for release at some point in 2026.

Following the game's reveal in 2025, Xbox Game Studios said it was committed to a 2026 launch for Halo: Campaign Evolved. As always, delays can happen, but it seems the intention is to bring back Master Chief's original adventure just in time for the 25th anniversary.

If they do shoot for the exact anniversary date, that would be November 15, 2026.

On Feb 5, 2026, Tom Warren from The Verge (via Wccftech) posted an update on Microsoft's release schedule for the year, stating that they're apparently aiming for a Summer 2026 release window (presumably to dodge the juggernaut that is GTA VI, which lands on November 19.)

Is Halo: Campaign Evolved coming to PlayStation as well as Xbox?

Halo: Campaign Evolved will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S at the same time. The game will also hit Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Game Pass Ultimate/PC, and Steam.

One of the initial announcement's biggest shockers was that Halo will no longer be an Xbox and PC (Windows) exclusive. In fact, community director Brian Jarrard has teased that all new Halo games will be multiplatform, same-day releases moving forward.

Could this signal an eventual jump to Nintendo Switch 2, too? It's too early to say, but we hope so.

Halo: Campaign Evolved trailers

Xbox Game Studios had a big reveal planned for Halo: Campaign Evolved in late 2025, and the event dropped three different first-look videos on us: a roundtable reveal, a first in-game trailer all about the 'Silent Cartographer' mission, and a 13-minute gameplay demo.

You can watch all of them below while we wait for new trailers:

Is Halo: Campaign Evolved a remake or remaster?

Halo: Campaign Evolved is a complete remake of the original 2001 sci-fi FPS featuring new missions, expanded gameplay, co-op, and cross-platform connectivity. It marks the second time Halo: Combat Evolved has been revisited, but this remake isn't something that's been done before.

Back in 2011, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary – a remaster – was released. Then, in 2014, it was re-released as part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. The first Halo is far from being lost media and remains perfectly playable on modern consoles, but it does feel a bit ancient nowadays. That, combined with the impending anniversary and the excuse of bringing it to more platforms and younger generations, is how this remake is justifying its existence.

Since it's being marketed as a complete remake in a brand-new, cutting-edge engine, fan expectations are high. A shiny return to the original battle against the Covenant with no new tricks and meaningful content won't cut it, or at least that's what the streets are saying.

Will Halo: Campaign Evolved have multiplayer modes?

Halo: Campaign Evolved won't have competitive multiplayer modes, at least not at launch. Halo Studios' focus is entirely on delivering a reimagining of the original Halo story campaign. It's hard to imagine the post-launch support not including a return of some sort to the enduring PvP multiplayer formula of Halo, but that's not on the cards (officially) at the time of writing.

Reliable insiders like Rebs Gaming have teased in the past that Halo's multiplayer future will be a "live-service, long-term updating multiplayer game" that isn't limited to one single release, so that might be where things are headed, but for now, let's just assume Halo: Campaign Evolved won't launch alongside player-versus-player online modes.

What we know for sure is that Halo: Campaign Evolved has two-player local split-screen co-op and up-to-four-player online co-op across Xbox, PC, and PS5. This co-op multiplayer experience will support the entire campaign and optional gameplay modifiers that aim to make replays more enticing and challenging.

What's new in Halo: Campaign Evolved?

First and foremost, Halo: Campaign Evolved is a complete graphical and tech overhaul of the original game. However, Xbox and Halo Studios are also using this opportunity to go deeper and expand on the story and missions that were already there. The original is still one of the best Halo games, but there's room for improvement, especially considering it had a bumpy development and several cuts were made to ship it in time.

The Unreal Engine 5-powered remake features "4K visuals, updated animations, remastered music, and re-recorded voice lines." Halo Studios is also introducing vehicles and weapons from later Halo entries, upping the variety of the action on the game's many battlefields.

Moreover, the campaign is gaining three more missions in line with Bungie's original level design. There's also talk of rebuilding entire sections to support the new movement options, vehicles, and weapons. Fans can already catch a glimpse of Halo Studios' approach to the remake – which must also accommodate up to four players in co-op – in the aforementioned 'Silent Cartographer' gameplay demo.

Needless to say, particularly disliked missions like 'The Library' will be getting more attention than fan-favorites. "We learned from Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary that there was still an appetite for things like better wayfinding, navigation, and diversity in enemy encounters," creative director Max Szlagor explained to Xbox Wire. More will be revealed (and picked apart by diehards) in due time.

Is there a Halo: Campaign Evolved demo?

There's no public Halo: Campaign Evolved demo available at the time of writing. While the press got the chance to visit Halo Studios ahead of the reveal and play the 'Silent Cartographer' demo that was shared in video form online, there are no plans to release it for everyone.

This could change once the game gets a more specific release window. Pre-release betas to test online components are common, but you shouldn't count on that unless we hear otherwise. Stay tuned for news and updates.

Do you like your space movies marinated in misery? Then you're in the right place, because we've rounded up the ten bleakest space movies of all time.

It's satisfying when the evil empire gets its comeuppance, but there's a grim appeal to sci-fi that wallows in the worst. Why? In part, it's the acknowledgement that space can be a scary, desolate place. As gorgeous as distant galaxies may be, it would take just one catastrophic hyperdrive failure for a hot-shot pilot to end up drifting helplessly in the void.

With private spaceflight continuing to ramp up, the notion of corporations carving out their own lawless cosmic fiefdoms, Weyland-Yutani style, doesn't feel that far-fetched. Grim movies can be a reassuring reminder that no matter how bad your day has gone, it could be much, much worse. And who doesn't get a warm, fuzzy feeling from seeing Edward Cullen exiled to a black hole? So, read on for ten of the grimmest interstellar nightmares ever committed to film.

10. Solaris

Release date: 1972 | Cast: Donatas Banionis, Natalya Bondarchuk, Jüri Järvet, Vladislav Dvorzhetsky

This Russian movie, based on Stanislaw Lem's novel, is a slow burn compared to some of the other movies on this list. Like Steven Soderbergh's 2002 version, it sees psychologist Kris Kelvin travelling to a space station above the planet Solaris, where he encounters a 'hallucination' of his late wife that is surprisingly solid.

Kelvin's fate is, however, more heavily telegraphed than in 2002's Solaris. We learn early on that Solaris is alive and generating these phantoms, and early scenes like Kelvin burning his thesis underline the weight he's carrying on his shoulders. We're invited to follow him as he descends into a spiral of grief and guilt.

9. The Black Hole

Release date: 1979 | Cast: Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins, Robert Forster, Yvette Mimieux

The first-ever live-action Disney movie to receive a PG rating, The Black Hole sees a deep space crew stumbling across a spaceship, the USS Cygnus, positioned within the event horizon of the titular phenomenon.

Admittedly, this movie's black hole science might not stand up to scientific examination, but between the eerie music, the dreamlike special effects, and the faceless 'robotic' drones, the whole movie oozes unease. The all-but-constant presence of the black hole, lurking in the background, seeds the idea that no one on-screen will escape its maw. And, all these years later, the ending still lives on in our nightmares.

8. Silent Running

Release date: 1972 | Cast: Bruce Dern, Cliff Potts, Ron Rifkin, Jesse Vint

Silent Running delivers a double whammy of environmental devastation and isolation, bolstered by a brilliant performance from Bruce Dern as Freeman Lowell. Earth's forests are gone, and the only hope of restoring them lies in several multi-domed spaceships in orbit around Saturn, each dome containing a swathe of woodland.

However, this glimmer of hope is dashed when the ships receive the order to destroy their domes and the greenery within. Just what lengths is Lowell prepared to go to safeguard this travelling greenhouse? Disobeying orders is one thing, but murder? And what can he do with a bounty of greenery that no one wants?

7. Alien 3

Release date: 1992 | Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Charles S. Dutton, Charles Dance, Brian Glover

You'd think that after losing her daughter and discovering a new one, Ellen Ripley, the Alien series's badass and Xenomorph-battling hero, would be due for a rest. Maybe in William Gibson's unproduced screenplay, but the version of Alien 3 that made it to screens is ultra-grim from the get-go.

As if crash-landing on a largely weaponless prison planet isn't enough, David Fincher's sequel kills off Hicks and Newt, Aliens' only other human survivors, and even the android Bishop has seen better days. Add in a mid-movie revelation that seals Ripley's fate, and you're on an express elevator to hell, going down.

6. Sunshine

Release date: 2007 | Cast: Cillian Murphy, Benedict Wong, Chris Evans, Rose Byrne, Michelle Yeoh

Sunshine is a beautiful film and is one of the best space movies of all time. But being from the director and writer of 28 Days Later (and featuring that movie's lead), it's also predictably one of the gloomiest. The Sun is dying, and Icarus II is on a last-ditch mission to reignite our star with a colossal bomb.

The demeanour of the crew, which includes a pre-MCU Chris Evans and Benedict Wong, makes it clear they know this could be a one-way trip. However, that doesn't prepare you for the sheer volume of tragedy and misfortune on display, which also reveals the fate of the previous, failed mission.

5. Moon

Release date: 2009 | Cast: Sam Rockwell, Dominique McElligott, Kaya Scodelario, Benedict Wong

Moon is, at first glance, a film about the rigours of isolation. Astronaut Sam Bell is the sole human inhabitant of a helium-3 harvesting moonbase, having signed up for a daunting three-year contract. His only company is a robot named GERTY, and while you can see the cracks starting to form, his contract is nearly up.

Or is it? Because he finds himself face to face with.. Sam Bell, revealing he's not the original, but one of several clones, which transforms Moon into a riveting exploration of identity and memory. The movie also floats the unsettling idea that corporations don't need to be a thousand light-years away to get away with unethical and/or illegal behavior. As exciting as space settlement is, don't expect unions to be a big deal on Mars.

4. Gravity

Release date: 2013 | Cast: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney

Poor Sandra Bullock doesn't even get to the Moon before running into every astronaut's worst nightmare; a spacewalk gone wrong. After the Space Shuttle Explorer is struck by debris, she's flung into space on the shuttle's arm, forced to uncouple herself or face being pulled even further into the void.

While both Bullock and fellow actor George Clooney are known for their more upbeat roles, the pair still convey the chilling desperation of being lost in space. The Earth looms beneath them thanks to some stunning special effects, but it might as well be a million miles away, and you'll be right up there with them. Gravity may take some minor liberties with realism, but the mental image of Bullock spinning off into space will haunt you long after the credits have rolled.

3. Love

Release date: 2011 | Cast: Gunner Wright, Bradley Horne

If Moon touches on themes of isolation, Love plunges right in and doesn't come up for air. Filmed on a surprisingly low half-a-million-dollar budget, it features Gunner Wright (Dead Space's Isaac Clarke) as Lee Miller, a solo astronaut aboard the ISS who loses contact with Earth.

What seems like a simple communications error is anything but; the cause is never disclosed, but humanity is just gone, leaving Miller looking down on a planet he has no means of returning to. It makes those Boeing Starliner astronauts' extended ISS stay look like a spa weekend, and unsurprisingly, his sanity soon starts to suffer.

Bonus entry: Iron Lung

If that scenario gives you the chills, it's also worth keeping an eye out for Iron Lung. Made by and starring YouTuber Markiplier, and based on the game of the same name, Iron Lung takes place in a universe where every star and habitable planet has suddenly disappeared. The only remaining humans are those who were on spaceships or space stations. Iron Lung crashed into theaters on January 30, 2026.

2. High Life

Release date: 2018 | Cast: Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Mia Goth, Andre Benjamin

We think High Life is one of the best space horror movies, and for good reason. There's not an alien lifeform in sight, but this alternative deep-space tale, from French director Claire Denis, is still deeply discomforting from beginning to end.

Presented in non-chronological order, it follows a group of convicts — Twilight and The Batman's Robert Pattinson included — who are sent to extract a black hole's leaked energy. At least, that's the official explanation; a more practical one is that it's just a means of disposing of them all, Juliette Binoche's unhinged doctor included.

While I won't spoil things by giving you the death count, if you've ever wanted to see the gruesome effects of spaghettification, this is the movie for you.

1. Aniara

Release date: 2018 | Cast: Emelie Garbers, Arvin Kananian, Bianca Cruzeiro, Anneli Martini

Aniara is such a bottomless pit of gloom that it, and it alone, deserves the title of bleakest space movie of all time. Based on Harry Martinson's epic poem, it sees a luxury starship, originally destined for Mars, drifting off course and out of our solar system.

And.. that's it. With life support but no propulsion, the vessel is little more than a floating coffin. We view this grim situation through the eyes of a relatively minor crew member, who operates the ship's holodeck analog.

Her role becomes increasingly crucial as the passengers descend into despair and, as they increasingly clutch at straws, don't expect a happy or even an ambiguous ending. If you want a movie that drives home the pitfalls of space travel, this is it.

Those are the bleakest space movies you can watch right now. Wasn't that fun? Why are you crying? Oh all right, for some cheerier viewing material, we've also investigated the best sci-fi movies, the best sci-fi action movies, the best asteroid movies, and the best time-travel movies.

The March full moon will reach peak illumination at 6:38 a.m. EST (1138 GMT) on March 3, when the sun and moon are opposite each other in Earth's sky, making the lunar disk appear fully lit from our perspective.

This month's full moon is known as the Worm Moon, possibly to reflect the period when the cold hardened ground softens, allowing earthworms to emerge and be feasted on by birds. The name may also have been coined by Native American tribes to describe the time when the bark of trees thawed to allow worm-like beetle larvae to escape and mature, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.

When to see the March full moon

The Worm Moon will loom large over the eastern horizon at sunset on March 2, shining below the stars of the constellation Leo, the Lion. You may notice the outline of the moon ripple and distort as its light passes through the densest part of Earth's atmosphere, causing it to take on a yellow hue, before adopting an almost painfully bright silver sheen as it soars high in the winter sky.

The table below details local full moon timings for when the moon is 100% illuminated for a selection of cities spread across the globe (local moonset and moonrise times will vary based on your location):

Why it's called the Worm Moon

The March moon is called the Worm Moon, in reference to the time when the ground softens to allow for the return of earthworms, or to reflect the emergence of beetle larvae after the thawing of tree bark in North America.

Native American tribes also refer to it as the Sugar Moon and Sap Moon, to evoke the period when maple sap oozes from the trees, while the English used to call it the Chaste Moon and the Death Moon, according to Time and Date.

Others have taken inspiration from birds who migrate with the shifting seasons to name it the Goose Moon and the Eagle Moon. The Native American Pueblo people also called it the Wind Strong Moon, owing to the powerful gusts that sweep the Northern Hemisphere in March, whereas other tribes know it as the Sore Eyes Moon, in reference to its impressive brightness as it rises high in the post-sunset sky.

The March full moon also coincides with the Hindu festival of Holika Dahan, when bonfires are lit to celebrate the god Vishnu and celebrate the victory of good over evil. The following day marks the major Hindu festival of Holi — the Festival of Colours —when devotees throw colorful paints and powders over one another to celebrate the beginning of Spring.

China's traditional Lantern Festival is also set to be celebrated on March 3, when crowds gather to throw spectacular light shows to mark the end of the final day of Chinese New Year celebrations.

What else to see in the sky around the full moon

This year, the full moon coincides with a total lunar eclipse, sometimes called a "blood moon", because Earth's shadow can give the moon a reddish hue during totality. A total lunar eclipse happens when Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon and casts a dark shadow — the umbra — over the lunar surface. Phases of the eclipse will be visible across swathes of North America, East Asia, New Zealand and Australia.

The entirety of the lunar disk will slip into the deepest part of Earth's shadow — known as its umbra — starting at 6:04 a.m. EST (1104 GMT). The period of totality will last for 58 minutes, during which time the moon will adopt a blood red hue as the light of every sunset and sunrise on Earth is refracted onto the lunar surface.

Viewers in America will bear witness to the initial phases of the eclipse as Earth's shadow rolls left-to-right over the lunar surface and will glimpse the initial minutes of totality, before the moon sets out of sight below the horizon at dawn on March 3.

Look to the eastern horizon soon after sunset on March 3 to see Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo, shining blue-white roughly 20 degrees — the width of two stacked fists held at arm's length — to the upper right of the fully lit lunar disk. During a full moon, the night sky is flooded with reflected moonlight, making only the brightest stars easy to discern with the naked eye.

Next, draw an imaginary line from the centre of the moon through Regulus and continue it out into space to find Jupiter high overhead, with its steady light giving it the appearance of a bright "evening star". A small telescope (around 6inches) will help reveal the bands lining its ever-shifting cloud surface, along with the presence of its four largest "Galilean Moons": Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

Castor and Pollux — the brightest stars that represent the heads of the twins depicted in the constellation Gemini — will twinkle to the gas giant's left. Sweep your gaze downward to find the "dog stars" Procyon and Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, with the red, white and blue stars of the constellation Orion shining to their right.

Tear your eyes away from the moon and find a clear view of the west at sunset for a chance to see Venus glowing close to the horizon with Saturn 5 degrees — the approximate width of your three middle fingers held outstretched — to its upper left. Saturn and Venus will set around an hour and a half after the sun. Be sure to check Time and Date for the exact times that solar system bodies rise and set from your location and exercise extreme care to ensure that the sun is below the horizon before viewing an object in its vicinity with binoculars or a telescope.

Observing tips

The March full moon is an excellent opportunity to explore the lunar seas and bright ejecta rays of material cast out during cataclysmic impact events, as the entirety of Earth's natural satellite is bathed in the light of the sun.

Why not also try to capture the moon using a DSLR camera and a telephoto lens and track how the shifting shadows alter its appearance throughout the month? Be sure to make use of our expert guide to photographing the moon, along with our picks of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography, if you want to upgrade your equipment.

Top tips to photograph the moon

• Use a tripod to keep your camera as steady as possible.
• Use a remote shutter/timer to prevent camera wobble.
• A smartphone stargazing app can help you find the exact point of moonrise on your local horizon.
• A lens with a focal length of 12-50 mm is useful for landscape photography, while a focal length of at least 400 mm is advised for capturing more detailed views of the lunar surface.
• The moon can be made to appear particularly large while close to the horizon next to foreground objects, where it may take on an orange-yellow appearance thanks to Rayleigh scattering. A cleaner, more "classic" view can be captured as it soars high overhead.

These times mark the exact instant of full illumination. Your own moonrise or moonset may be hours earlier or later, depending on your location. For the best viewing plan, use an app such as Stellarium or SkySafari 7 Pro to find your local moonrise time and be sure to read our full moon calendar for comprehensive timings for each full moon in 2026.

Editor's Note: If you would like to share your full moon photos with Space.com's readers, then please send your photo(s) along with your name, the location and any comments on what it was like to capture the picture to spacephotos@space.com.

The concept of dogfighting amongst the stars has been around far longer than video games set in space, but it's been a linchpin of some of the most seminal games ever developed.

From the earliest days of game development, when creators with visions of X-Wings blasting TIE Fighters to dust on the silver screen first got the chance to bring those sci-fi fantasies to interactive life, the idea of sleek fighters battling against a background of starscapes and shimmering moons has been a mainstay of the space game zeitgeist. Now, with over 50 years of digital space combat under our belts, we're looking back on the gaming genre that took us to the stars and boldly asked, "Wouldn't it be cool if we blasted fools with lasers from our spaceship?"

So, complete your pre-flight checks, charge those warp drives, and, of course, lock S-foils in attack position as we take a stroll down memory lane to take a brief look at the history of space dogfighting games.

The Vector Era (Late 1970s to the 1980s)

The core idea of space dogfighting in video games has its roots in arcade classics like "Asteroids", first released in arcades way back in 1979.

Looking back now, "Asteroids" feels like a tech demo or proof of concept for some of the games that would later define dogfighting in later space sims. It was all about tight physics, good reflexes, and spatial awareness — cornerstones of what would later define the genre. It also introduced the crucial tension that defines dogfighting in any environment — the need to shoot down an agile enemy before they can destroy you.

"Asteroids" was quickly followed by early experiments with proper piloting and dogfighting, and later that year, "Star Raiders" brought that frenetic action gameplay home on Atari consoles. While it retained the reflexive gameplay of "Asteroids", it introduced a first-person "cockpit" point of view and a strategy layer that added some depth and meaning to all the space rock blasting.

These early concepts were blown away in the next decade, when the original Elite was released in 1984. "Elite" took those core systems of piloting a powerful fighter craft through space and massively expanded on them.

It added trading, fighter-on-fighter combat, and procedurally generated worlds, laying the groundwork for the space sims and space dogfighting games that would become so wildly popular in the 90s and beyond. Elite didn't just create a new genre; it demonstrated what was possible in an open world that put player agency above carefully curated, pre-generated content.

And for a while, "Elite" reigned supreme. While a handful of games followed in Elite's wake, like 1985's "The Halley Project: A Mission In Our Solar System", it wasn't until the space sim boom of the 90s that the promise of the space flight simulator was truly realized and, with it, the dream of sprawling, cinematic, action-packed dogfights between the stars.

Cinematic Simulation (The 1990s)

From humble roots, the 90s became the golden age of space simulation and dogfighting in video games. As technology advanced and investment increased, developers took the groundwork laid by games like Elite and expanded it into some of the most ambitious and compelling video games ever created.

Leading the vanguard were games like "Wing Commander", which landed in 1990 and was immediately lauded as the video gaming equivalent of "Star Wars". Wing Commander wasn't notable for its systems, but rather its context. It immersed players in a cinematic universe driven by FMV performances and an overarching narrative, dropping them in the heart of a brutal war — the outcome of which would determine the fate of humanity. It added stakes and drama while refining dogfighting mechanics to a razor's edge.

Not to be outdone by a property clearly inspired by George Lucas' space opera, LucasArts launched its own ambitious (and wildly successful) series of space sims. X-Wing dropped in 1993, followed quickly by its sequel, TIE Fighter, the following year, finally fulfilling science fiction fans' long-held fantasies of stepping into the cockpit of the most famous starfighters ever created.

Beyond the famous spaceships, X-Wing and TIE Fighter also brought compelling stories set in the Star Wars universe, alongside technical advancements like fully 3D graphics in place of the bitmap sprites of previous titles.

These Star Wars games also standardized joystick controls in space sims — something that can still be felt in modern space sims to this day — and included precision flight physics and innovative mission design to keep players immersed in its impressive recreation of the Star Wars universe.

While grand cinematic simulators with deep systems and flight models dominated the early part of the decade, the late '90s saw the emergence of more arcade-style dogfighting games like Rogue Squadron and Colony Wars.

In lieu of complicated controls and systems, these games seized on the high-energy gameplay of intense dogfighting moments, boiling it down into arcadey combat that was more accessible to the masses.

The Long Decline (The 2000s)

Despite the emergence of arcade titles, the steep learning curve — paired with joystick fatigue and the dominance of other genres (like FPS and RPGs) — led to a decline in the popularity of space sims and dogfighting games in the 2000s. After more than a decade of success, the 2000s saw a recession that some thought might spell the end of the space sim genre.

During these dark times, the spark was kept alive in this grim era by titles like Starlancer (2000) and its excellent sequel Freelancer (2003). Starlancer was a narrower simulator in the vein of Wing Commander or X-Wing, following a linear narrative about alliances of Earth's nations battling in the void of space.

Freelancer, however, harkened back to the open concept introduced by Elite, giving players 48 star systems to explore and the freedom to pursue their own destiny as traders, miners, or bounty hunters. It was a bright spot in a dark time and showed a way forward for space sims as open-universe games where player choice and emergent gameplay define the game's narrative rather than a rigid, linear story structure.

Freelancer's dogfighting represented a move away from the joystick revolution that had defined the space in the 90s, instead relying on a simplified flight model where the spacecraft followed the movement of the mouse. Weapons would fire in the direction of the mouse cursor, and targeting UI and radar were minimized to make the action the focus.

The game did incorporate some realistic mechanics, though, including the conservation of momentum — a concept that would influence many subsequent titles — where a ship would continue to drift along in its original direction while a player could pivot it to face elsewhere.

2003 also saw the release of EVE Online, a niche but enduring space MMO for hardcore space sim players to chase their starfighter fantasies. EVE Online is host to a staggering 7,800 star systems, and — despite it being over 20 years old — it continues to produce some of the most fascinating and complicated player-driven stories in video games.

As it has evolved, EVE has continued to refine and develop one of the most complicated dogfighting models ever seen in a game, including concepts like weapon falloff over distance, turret tracking speed, projectile velocity, target painting, electronic countermeasures, and many other wrinkles that add an unprecedented layer of realism and strategy.

It's not for the timid, but EVE is a beacon of what can be achieved when developers put their minds to it.

The Modern Renaissance (The 2010s)

Games like Freelancer and EVE Online kept the spark alive after the turn of the millennium, but it was the 2010s that saw a resurgence in the popularity (and availability) of quality space sims and dogfighting games.

Elite Dangerous continues the lineage of the 1984 original in grand fashion and is one of the most open-ended and ambitious video games ever created. Creators Frontier Developments have launched space sims into a new generation of scale and technology, building 1:1 star systems and adding VR and HOTAS compatibility. The game's flight model is incredibly complicated, with a focus on realistic modeling and some notoriously finicky landing mechanics.

These translate to the dogfighting in some crucial ways, yielding a potent mix of physics, precision, situational awareness, and raw nerve. Ships have real inertia and Newtonian physics, and pilots can choose to toggle flight assistance on to help stabilize their often unpredictable craft, or off to perform mind-bending maneuvers that can be the edge between life and death in high-skill player versus player shootouts. There's also a vital element of resource management that plays a role in every encounter, forcing players to juggle power distribution between shields, weapons, and engines while also managing heat levels within their craft.

There's also the continuing Star Citizen saga. The brainchild of Chris Roberts, the mind behind Wing Commander and Freelancer, Star Citizen is probably the most ambitious ongoing project in video games, having raised nearly one billion dollars in funding as of this writing. The final project aims to blend elements from space sims, first-person shooters, MMOs, and more into a massive amalgamation set in a huge, persistent universe. Will it ever be finished? Who can say, but it's hard to fault their ambition.

The similarly hyped, ambitious, and controversial No Man's Sky has crafted a redemption arc for the ages. Despite a disappointing launch back in 2016, the developers stuck with it and have crafted a wildly successful and long-running space sim that feels like a greatest hits montage of all the games that came before it.

No Man's Sky's dogfighting model is notable for its shift from the simple, arcade combat present at launch to the more advanced systems in the game now. They take full advantage of the wide range of weapons, ship classes, upgrades, and mods to make ship-to-ship combat feel fluid, dynamic, and cinematic.

The Indie Revolution (The 2020s)

Beyond the big names, there has been an explosion of other dogfighting games and space flight simulators that have pushed the envelope of what's possible for the genre.

These include roguelite interpretations like the original Everspace, successors to the arcade action of Rogue Squadron like 2021's Chorus, and the well-received return to Star Wars dogfighting of Star Wars: Squadrons.

There's also Starfighter: Infinity, an impressive indie-MMO that's carrying the torch for online PvP dogfighting, and games like Rebel Galaxy Outlaw that explore different interpretations of the open concept Elite first delivered in the mid-80s.

While the 90s may have represented the golden age of space dogfighting, the current renaissance proves that we've only begun to scratch the surface of the potential of space sims and the electric combat that makes them so compelling. It's been a hell of a ride so far, and we can't wait to see what the future holds in store for space dogfighting fans.

When it comes to the best Lego space sets, you're spoilt for choice. But what if you prefer your Lego space sets to be a little fantastical? We've rounded up the best NASA-approved and NASA-adjacent Lego sets, sets that are (mostly) accurate to the current state of space travel.

From Artemis 2 to the Mars Perseverance Rover, you're sure to find a set you love. Some are geared towards play while others, such as this stunning Lego Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System are essentially display only. Below, we delve into each set's specifics, including how fun (or otherwise) they are to build and more.

If you prefer your sets a little less rooted in reality, we have the Lego Star Wars sets and Lego Marvel sets. And with Amazon Prime Day (Jun 23-26) round the corner, check in with our Prime Day deals page for further discounts on these and other sets.

Current NASA Lego sets

Lego Icons Artemis Space Launch System

In our review of the Lego Icons Artemis Space Launch System, we remarked that "Lego has knocked it out of the park and into orbit with this fantastic recreation of the Artemis Space Launch System," and that still stands. This is the most realistic Lego rocket currently available and a fantastic buy, despite its $269.99 price.

We did find minor elements of its build a little repetitive, but that's unavoidable given the nature of the Artemis and its launch pad. It's an absolutely massive set, shy of just 28-inches, so you'll need a significant amount of space to display it.

But it's well worth clearing off a table just to show this off. It's an absolutely stunning set, packed with detail, and, on the whole, a delight to build. When you've got the Artemis on display, after an afternoon or so of work, you'll be so glad you put the effort in.

Lego Icons Shuttle Carrier Aircraft

Whether you're a fan of Boeing's iconic 747 jet, the late Space Shuttle programme or both, this set is an absolute treat. You'll need plenty of space to accommodate its 63 cm wingspan, but this is an entertaining build.

Packed with detail, it looks excellent on display, and you've got the flexibility to mix things up. You can separate the shuttle from the 747, put the landing gear down and, in the case of the shuttle, stow its gear away in the cargo bay.

The latter does mean it doesn't have the same accessories Lego's now-retired Space Shuttle Discovery set has, but it nails everything else about the shuttle and the plane that ferried around the world on many occasions. Our only gripe is that it has a few too many stickers, but it's worth persisting just to see this NASA-branded pairing, perched on your table.

Lego Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance

Ever wanted to go to Mars? This set is the next best thing, a realistic Lego recreation of the NASA Mars Rover Perseverance, through the medium of Lego Technic. Not only does it mirror the real-life Mars Rover's appearance, but it's also packed with play-friendly features.

That's not to say you should subject this to repeated and violent play, but in our Lego Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance review, we called it "a wonderful piece of Lego engineering that should please Lego space fans of all ages."

It offers amazing attention to detail, with plenty of features and moving parts, including actual working suspension, allowing the rover to ride over rough surfaces. It also won't cost you $2.7 billion, either, priced at a much fairer $99.99. It's a blast to build, looks suitably striking on display and has just enough play-potential to boot.

Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket

Is the Lego Icons Artemis' $200+ asking price too rich for your blood? Or maybe you're looking for something with a little more interactivity. That's where the Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket comes in.

This sub-$60 set is still striking to look at, but it has the addition of being educational with it. Using the (slightly loose) crank, you can make it blast off the launching pad, losing its booster rockets as it goes.

Throw in four astronaut nanofigures, and you've got a set that's far more play-friendly than its pricier sibling, and the flames spewing from its engines add an extra-eyecatching touch to this play and display friendly model. Despite its 9+ age rating, there are challenging elements, but the results are well worth it.

Lego Creator 3-in-1 Space Astronaut

What's better than getting a new Lego set? Getting three Lego sets in 1, which is where this Lego Creator Space Astronaut set comes in. It's not strictly a NASA set but it's main mode is a close approximation of an actual astronaut, out on a spacewalk.

It's cool to look at and poseable with it, down to its arms and fingers. You can also transform the astronaut into a sleek space jet and a spacesuit-wearing dog, though the instructions are slightly too simplistic.

The astronaut's stand means you can have it 'floating' in mid-air, and the red and blue stripes, with a little gray to boot, add extra life to their costume. In our review of the Lego Creator 3-in-1 Astronaut, we called it "An iconic Lego space set that we're absolutely proud to have on our shelves," and you won't regret snapping this up either.

Lego Creator 3-in-1 Space Shuttle

Like the previous Lego Creator 3-in-1 set, this doesn't bear the NASA branding, but it's unmistakably a Space Shuttle, complete with its own satellite to launch into orbit. And at $9.99, this is a great buy if you're looking for a cheap gift for a space enthusiast.

Shuttle mode aside, you can transform this set into a space fighter or an astronaut, both of which are cool bonuses. But it's the Space Shuttle, with its glowing orange engines, that would be our first choice for play, if we were so inclined.

At just under 150 pieces, this can be easily assembled by little fingers, rated as it is for builders aged 6 or over. Despite its size, you can also open up its cargo bay, adding another dimension to play.

Retired but still available Lego sets (grab them while you can)

Lego retires sets after a period of time, meaning they stop manufacturing them and no new stock enters the market. The following retired sets are still available and are worth picking up, though some may be pricier than usual due to their scarcity.

Lego Technic NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle

Based on the actual Apollo Lunar Rover, this set may have been retired but, if you're fast, you can snap it up at Amazon without paying an exhorbitant price. And, while it's not the most beginner-friendly set, it's a treat for anyone who wants to revisit days on the moon.

And, while we wouldn't recommend young builders try putting it together solo, there's some play potential here. The set, which is a display-friendly size, comes with plastic moon rock, buildable communications unit, heating and cooling elements. Plus, it boasts working steering and suspension.

If you're adult Lego fan looking for a Space-themed project, you can't go wrong with this Apollo Lunar Rover, which is as accurate as you could hope for given its size. Just hurry, because we'd expect its price to skyrocket once stocks get scarcer.

Lego Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander

Available for a reasonable price, considering it's a retired set, this Lego Apollo 11 lander is an excellent way to mark man's return to the moon. It's an accurate replica of the vehicle that touched down on the lunar surface, followed shortly by Neil Armstrong's exit and famous line.

In our review of the Lego Apollo 11 Lunar Lander, we were impressed by its display value, as well as the two relatively scarce Lego astronauts it came with. Unfortunately, we did find that it felt a little flimsy.

However, if you can live with that, and you share our love for all things lunar, it's a great piece to have sitting on your shelf, a reminder of one of mankind's grandest achievements. Just remember, as a retired set, it's only going to get more expensive, so grab this Lego Apollo 11 Lunar Lander set while you can.

Lego Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn V

As impressive as NASA's Artemis launch system is, it has a long way to go to eclipses the fame of the Saturn V, the rocket that took the original Apollo 11 mission to the moon. And, thanks to this superb set, you can own your own Lego Ideas Saturn V rocket.

It's a seriously impressive set and, as we noted in our Lego Ideas Saturn V review, it's completely sticker-free. As much as we love the Lego Icons Shuttle Carrier set, we'd take pre-printed bricks over stickers any day.

It's a speedy build and while some parts are repetitive, it's clearly marked into sections so you can share the job with a friend. You'll need some space to display it - at 1m high, no-one's going to miss this set! Rocket aside, it comes with a tiny model of the Apollo 11 lunar lander and landing capsule, which is a neat touch.

The one catch is that since it's retired, you can expect to pay at least twice the RRP to get your hands on it. But with a set this striking it may well be worth the outlay to own a Lego recreation of this historic rocket.

Lego International Space Station review

The International Space Station only has a few years before it's deorbited and crashes to Earth. That's all the more reason to celebrate its 20 years of space-based research with this shelf-dominating Lego Ideas International Space Station set.

This now-retired set depicts the ISS in all its glory and, for scale, includes small models of the Space Shuttle, satellites and three micro-sale astronauts. It's impossible to miss thanks to its huge solar panels which make this model over half-a-meter wide.

It's impressively accurate, nailing the appearance of the ISS. In our review of the Lego Ideas International Space Station we called it "An excellent display piece that space fans should love." The panels do make it a little repetitive to build, and a tad fragile too, but if you're a fan of the International Space Station, it's a worthy addition to your space-themed Lego collection.

Lego Icons NASA Space Shuttle Discovery

The Space Shuttle programme is behind us, but that's no reason to forget about it. It changed how NASA operated in space for over 30 years and was instrumental in building the ISS. This Lego NASA Space Shuttle Discovery is the best Lego model of the Space Shuttle we've seen even though, like the Shuttle itself, it's now retired.

It does have a few too many stickers for our taste, but that's a small price to pay for this seriously impressive replica. Aside from looking fantastic, it has real play potential, with several moving parts including its famous robotic arm.

On top of that, it's effectively two models, the Space Shuttle and the Hubble Space Telescope, which can be stored inside its cargo bay, or displayed separately. In our review of the Lego Icons Space Shuttle Discovery set we said it was "A beautiful kit that’s not only fun to build, but zenful too," and that still stands.

As a retired set you may have to pay over the RRP to get your hands on it, but you won't be disappointing when you've got this Lego slice of history sitting on your shelf.

• Back to the top ⤴

We are spoilt for choice; now there are two of them. With the Artemis 2 mission set to launch (hopefully) any day now, there's never been a better time to celebrate the rocket that will usher in NASA's triumphant return to the moon. And what better way to do that than by building your own miniature Lego version of it to display at home?

But as the Star Wars quote in the opening line alluded to, there are now in fact two different Lego Artemis sets: the NASA Artemis Space Launch System, and the Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket. We've reviewed both sets, and they're both among the best Lego space sets available right now, but which one should you choose?

While both kits represent the Artemis Space Launch System (SLS), they're very different builds intended for different audiences. Thankfully, figuring out which set is right for you isn't rocket science, as we've run through all the major differences below, along with the strengths and weaknesses of each kit. Let's blast off into the comparison.

Lego Artemis Face Off: Key specs

Lego Artemis Face Off: Design & functionality

Looking at the key specs, the most obvious difference between the two sets is their size. The LEGO Icons Artemis set has over 3600 pieces — six times the piece count of the newer Technic Artemis kit. The result here is a much larger model, as you can see by the side-by-side comparisons.

The LEGO Icons Artemis also comes with the entire launch assembly and launch pad, creating a miniature diorama that's perfect as a display piece for Lego space set fans. The rocket itself is extremely well-detailed, with stickers proudly displaying the NASA and ESA logos, as well as smaller details like the door to the Orion crew vehicle. There are loads of cool details hidden throughout the set, too, with refuelling pipes and a moving bridge that connects the tower to the Orion module.

The LEGO Technic Artemis has its own party piece, though — a working launch mechanism, complete with booster and Orion module separation as the rocket "takes off". It achieves this through an array of gears, levers, and other moving parts that are hidden away in the display stand, along with the support tower that's hidden behind the rocket.

Turning the crank handle on the right-hand side of the set launches the rocket upwards, with the booster rockets splitting off not long after take-off. As the Artemis continues to ascend, the Orion module also detaches, being pulled upwards by a tensioned string pulley hidden away at the back. It's very cool to see the little upward on its own little trailer of blue flame. And when the spectacle is over, you can easily reset it by reversing the crank rotation.

Lego Artemis Face Off: Build

As a larger set, the LEGO Icons Artemis takes a lot longer to build than the Technic version. I was able to crank out the Technic set in one evening, but the Icons set took me the better part of a week.

With the LEGO Icons Artemis set, you'll build the base platform, the launch tower, and the rocket itself, meaning the set offers a surprising amount of build variety. As I noted in my Lego NASA Artemis Space Launch System review, there were loads of clever build techniques employed to keep things fresh. The instruction book also features a bunch of cool facts and history about the SLS — a wonderful touch for a NASA nerd like me.

By contrast, the Technic set is a much breezier affair, but as the name suggests, it's also made primarily from Technic Lego. That means lots of connecting gears and levers, and pushing those dastardly little plugs into holes. It's a little more punishing on the thumbs and fingers, and might not be as enjoyable to classic Lego fans. On the flip side, it's very cool to build a working machine, watching the rocket launch mechanism come together throughout the construction.

Both sets feature a bunch of stickers — the bane of a Lego builder's life — but these are just the price of doing business with modern Lego sets, and I will begrudgingly admit the details they provide are worth the hassle.

Lego Artemis Face Off: Price

The LEGO Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System costs $259.99/£219.99, while the Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket costs $59.99/£54.99.

If you're looking for a cheaper set, then obviously the Technic kit is the way to go, but the larger Icons set does offer better bang for your buck in terms of Lego pieces per dollar. It's a little over four times as expensive, but you get seven times the number of Lego pieces. The piece count doesn't take piece size into account. I'd say the amount of raw plastic you're getting is an even higher ratio.

On the plus side, both sets are substantially cheaper than the actual Artemis program, which was estimated to have cost NASA a whopping $93 billion by the end of 2025. So whichever set you choose, you're getting an absolute bargain (that's how I'd try to sell it to my partner anyway).

Which Lego Artemis set should you buy?

If money is no object, then I'd say grab them both.

They offer vastly different build experiences, and they're both going to be awesome additions to a Lego NASA or space-themed collection. In the real world, where money is very much an object, it depends on who you are and what you're looking to get out of a Lego Artemis set.

The Icons set is the better display model for sure; the larger scale allows for more detail, and the addition of the launch assembly makes it a real statement piece.

The larger piece count results in a larger and more detailed rocket, too. It's perfect for adult Lego collectors who want to explore and showcase their love for spaceflight and rockets. It's a big old set, though, so make sure you've got the space to display it once it's built.

The Technic set is definitely better for kids and young teenagers — especially if you're trying to spark their interest in space and STEM subjects. Seeing the rocket take off and watching the boosters and Orion module detach is awesome, and a great educational tool to explain how the actual SLS functions to curious youngsters.

At the same time, actually building the mechanism and assembling all the gears and pulleys is a little crash course in engineering and construction that's sure to get their own brain's cogs turning. The Technic set is also the more affordable of the two sets, which makes it the better choice for budget-conscious Lego space fans.

Side-by-side comparison

Following a delay last year, venerable game studio Bungie's first post-Destiny shooter has finally set a launch date. That's right, Marathon is back and looking snazzier than before.

Set on Tau Ceti IV after the events of the original games (last seen 30 years ago), the online extraction shooter tasks players with retrieving valuable artifacts, data, and resources from a lost colony as Runners, augmented humans with cybernetic bodies.

Last week, we learned about shells (class archetypes) and how they can reshape entire matches. Now, we've just received a pre-order trailer that's playing up the mystery and ongoing narrative that will add sauce to the strictly online action game.

Bungie has landed on March 5 as the definitive release date for Marathon, with the game set to hit PC (Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S with full cross play and cross save.

Like other extraction shooters, such as ARC Raiders, Marathon will mix both PvE (co-op gameplay) and PvP (player-versus-player) action, making each trip down to Tau Ceti IV unpredictable and filled with danger. Teamwork gets the job done, but Bungie is also teasing unique opportunities for solo players.

Standard Edition pre-orders grant access to bonus cosmetics and rewards for Destiny 2. The Deluxe Edition adds premium cosmetics and access to the first rewards pass. Last but not least, the Collector's Edition includes all Deluxe Edition content plus an enticing bundle of physical goodies:

Taking things a step further, Bungie and Sony (who now owns the company) have teamed up to craft and release a limited-edition DualSense controller as well as the latest Pulse Elite wireless headset.

Those two are among the most stylish peripherals from a first-party publisher we've seen since Starfield's, we must say. Pre-orders will begin on January 29 at 10am local time here, but the headset will be limited to the US.

Holding together the universe-building and ongoing narrative efforts, an all-star voice cast has been revealed. It includes names such as Jennifer English (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33), Neil Newbon (Baldur's Gate 3), Erin Yvette (Dispatch), and Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI), among many others. Moreover, it's been confirmed Marathon will be dubbed for all supported languages.

Though the first closed tests last year and so-so trailers had us worried last year, we're thinking Bungie could shock the world come March. At the very least, the studio's Halo pedigree, "gunplay" chops, and striking art direction are on full display in the latest videos.

On Monday, Nov. 25, 2030, a total solar eclipse will sweep across the Southern Hemisphere. Although it will occur almost entirely over the Indian Ocean, totality will nevertheless happen just after sunrise in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Lesotho, before being glimpsed close to sunset from southeast Australia.

From remote areas of Queensland, Australia, it will be possible to witness a dramatic sunset eclipse if skies are clear. With spectacular stargazing and safari opportunities available, the 2030 total solar eclipse is bound to be popular and, for eclipse chasers in North America and Europe, rather expensive.

Related: What's the difference between a total solar eclipse and an annular solar eclipse?

What's special about the Nov. 25, 2030 total solar eclipse?

The Nov. 25, 2030, total solar eclipse presents the opportunity to combine the stunning celestial event with a safari and stargazing. In Namibia, the path of totality is conveniently placed between the giant dunes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei and the spectacular Etosha National Park.

If you're looking for something extremely remote (and likely more expensive), the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Botswana would make an excellent option.

There are two important marine mammal colonies in the path of totality. Cape Cross Seal Reserve, the world's largest breeding colony of Cape fur seals, on Namibia's Skeleton Coast, will get 1 minute, 22 seconds of totality, and Point Labatt Conservation Park (which features the Aus­tralian sea lion, one of Aus­trali­a's most endan­gered marine mam­mals), in South Australia, will get 1 minute, 57 seconds of totality.

Path of totality for the Nov. 25, 2030 total solar eclipse

The path of totality for the Nov. 25, 2030, total solar eclipse will span 9,033 miles (14,538 kilometers). The eclipse will begin at sunrise in the Atlantic Ocean; pass over Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Lesotho; cross the Indian Ocean; and finish as a low eclipse from southeastern South Australia and northwestern New South Wales, Australia. Those in the path of southeast Queensland will see a sunset eclipse, with the small rural town of Surat seeing the eclipsed sun just 2 degrees above the western horizon.

The maximum duration of totality will be 3 minutes, 44 seconds. However, not many observers will experience that because the eclipse takes place north of the remote Kerguelen Islands in the southern Indian Ocean. The maximum totality on land will be 2 minutes, 32 seconds, from just north of Durban, South Africa. From Australia, the eclipse will be on the wane by the time it hits Streaky Bay in South Australia, just south of Ceduna (the epicenter of a total solar eclipse in 2002). In total, about 10.6 million people live in the path of totality, according to Time and Date.

The path of totality passes just north of the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS), a cosmic-ray-hunting telescope in Namibia's Khomas highlands. The same fate befalls the HAKOS Astro Guest Farm, a remote mountainous escape for amateur astronomers. Both get a 99.9% partial solar eclipse. However, that's not the case for Tivoli Southern Sky Guest Farm, southeast of Windhoek, which will see totality for 1 minute, 53 seconds.

Where and when can I see the Nov. 25, 2030 total solar eclipse?

Here are some of the places eclipse chasers will gather for the total solar eclipse on Nov. 25, 2030:

What will the weather be like for the Nov. 25, 2030 eclipse?

There's a saying among eclipse chasers: "Climate is what you expect; weather is what you get." Although you can maximize your chances of finding a clear sky if you're mobile, some regions have higher chances than others.

Inland Namibia is a good bet, with even the capital, Windhoek, having a cloudy day on Nov. 25 only 23% of the time since 2000, according to Timeanddate.com. Between Windhoek and the Skeleton Coast, there's a very low risk of clouds, but that changes dramatically on the coast itself.

Botswana has a very low chance of clouds. In the North West region of South Africa, there's around a 33% chance of a cloudy day. As you approach Durban, however, those odds rise to an alarming 67%. In Australia, Streaky Bay on the southern coast has a 48% chance of clouds, but the odds are about 33% for the rest of the track.

Where to see the partial solar eclipse on Nov. 25, 2030

A partial solar eclipse will be visible from central and southern Africa, the Indian Ocean, Australia and New Zealand. Here's what will be seen from major cities and destinations in the partial eclipse zone:

After Nov. 25, 2030, when is the next total solar eclipse?

After the total solar eclipse on Nov. 25, 2030, these are the dates and locations for the next total solar eclipses:

• Nov. 14, 2031: Pacific Ocean (hybrid-totality) and Panama (hybrid-annularity)
• March 30, 2033: Russia and the U.S. (Alaska)
• March 20, 2034: Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and China
• Sept. 2, 2035: China, North Korea and Japan
• July 13, 2037: Australia
• Dec. 26, 2038: Australia and New Zealand
• Dec. 15, 2039: Antarctica

Additional resources

You can find a concise summary of solar eclipses out to 2030 on NASA's eclipse website. Read more about solar and lunar eclipses on EclipseWise.com, a website dedicated to predictions of eclipses, and find beautiful maps on eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler's EclipseAtlas.com, as well as interactive Google Maps on Xavier Jubier's eclipse website and Timeanddate.com's Eclipse Central hub. You can see climate and weather predictions by meteorologist Jay Anderson on Eclipsophile.com and get photography advice from expert eclipse photographer Alan Dyer at AmazingSky.com.

Bibliography

Bakich, M. and Zeiler, M. (2022). Atlas Of Solar Eclipses 2020-2045.

https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/books/atlas-of-solar-eclipses-2020-to-2045

Jubier, X. (n.d.). Solar eclipses: Interactive Google Maps. Retrieved Jun. 24, 2025, from http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/SolarEclipsesGoogleMaps.html

NASA Worldview application, part of the NASA Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS). Retrieved Jun. 24, 2025 from https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov

Time and Date. (n.d.). Nov. 25, 2030 Total Solar Eclipse. Retrieved Jun. 24, 2025, from https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2030-november-25

The final episodes of "Stranger Things" turned the Upside Down, well, upside down.

Having spent the best part of a decade believing it was a freaky parallel dimension populated by sinister creatures of the night, we learned it was actually an Einstein-Rosen Bridge linking Hawkins, Indiana, to another planet — the original home of the evil Mind Flayer.

More commonly known as wormholes, the existence of Einstein-Rosen Bridges was predicted by Albert Einstein and Nathan Rosen in a 1935 paper. These tunnels have a characteristic hourglass shape, with a "throat" connecting two distant points in the universe, theoretically providing a shortcut through the curvature of spacetime — if, of course, these inherently unstable objects stay open long enough for anything to travel through them.

"While the existence of wormholes is entirely theoretical, they have captured the fascination of scientists and science fiction writers alike," science teacher Mr Clarke (Randy Havens) tells a Hawkins Middle School class, and he's not wrong. Below we've assembled a list of sci-fi movies and TV shows that have used Einstein-Rosen Bridges as an explanation for interstellar — or interdimensional — travel.

We've kept this list to TV shows and movies that mention Einstein-Rosen Bridges by name, which is why "Interstellar" and "Stargate" don't make the cut, despite their wormhole-based plots. Spoilers ahead.

The Black Hole (1979)

While "Star Wars" has always been fantasy in space opera clothing, Disney's mission to capitalize on the success of George Lucas's 1977 classic was defiantly hard sci-fi — so much so that it made direct reference to an Einstein-Rosen Bridge.

As mad scientist Dr Hans Reinhardt (Maximilian Schell) plots a pioneering flight into the eponymous black hole, he asks sympathetic scientist Dr Alex Durant (Anthony Perkins) to track his progress. "I want you to monitor my flight," Reinhardt says. "Stay as long as you can at the event horizon. There might be an Einstein-Rosen Bridge to consider."

We're guessing, however, that neither Einstein nor Rosen would have postulated the unsubtle heaven and hell metaphors awaiting Reinhardt and his fellow travellers on the other side.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993 - 1999)

"Star Trek" has rarely shied away from exploring complex scientific ideas, while the Bajoran wormhole was utterly fundamental to "Deep Space Nine"'s plot. It seems bizarre, then, that the notion of the "Einstein-Rosen Bridge" only received — as far as we're aware — one mention over the show's seven-season run.

It's not even said out loud, as the words "Einstein" and "Rosen" only appear as part of a school vocabulary list, part of a presentation about wormholes in season 1 episode "In the Hands of the Prophets".

Sliders (1995 - 2000)

This '90s sci-fi show dispatched a quartet of mismatched adventurers on a long-running series of adventures across parallel Earths — places where the Soviet Union rules the United States, or the Golden Gate Bridge is blue rather than orange.

Young genius Quinn Mallory (Jerry O'Connell) had been trying to create an anti-gravity machine when he inadvertently opened a series of "Einstein-Rosen-Podolsky Bridges" between worlds.

And no, we don't know why physicist Boris Podolsky gets a mention, either — presumably the writers' room had a mix-up with the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox, an entirely separate thought experiment that doesn't involve wormholes.

Contact (1997)

Dr Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) is, understandably, on the defensive after returning from her mission in an experimental spacecraft built from mysterious alien blueprints.

While she believes she's flown through a rollercoaster of wormholes to reach Vega — and met an alien in the form of her late dad (David Morse) — everybody back home is rather sceptical. It doesn't help that her interstellar adventure has apparently lasted mere fractions of a second.

But, faced with a Congress inquiry, she wheels out the big guns, clearly hoping that some hard science will be enough to bring the politicians on side. "Senator, I believe that the machine opened up a wormhole," Arroway says, "a tunnel through the fabric of spacetime, also known as an Einstein-Rosen Bridge. Because of the effects of general relativity, what I experienced as approximately 18 hours passed instantaneously on Earth." And who could argue with that?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2011 - present)

With its sorcerers, gods, and talking raccoons, the MCU doesn't usually get too hung up on academic rigor. Its writers do, however, like to fall back on the Einstein-Rosen Bridge as a quasi-scientific justification for its many interdimensional portals.

Its first mention comes in the original "Thor", when Dr Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) observes that the lensing around the anomaly that delivered Thor to Earth is "characteristic of an Einstein-Rosen Bridge". Dr Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) explains it as "a theoretical connection between two different points in spacetime", before Foster clarifies that it's "a wormhole".

It turns out that the Bifrost, the rainbow bridge connecting Midgard (aka Earth) to Asgard, is a very colorful Einstein-Rosen Bridge guarded by the all-seeing Heimdall (Idris Elba) — as Thor puts it, he comes from a place where magic and science are "one and the same thing".

The phenomenon is also mentioned on several occasions in TV spin-off "Agents of S.H. I.E.L.D.", while "Nova: Einstein-Rosen Bridges with Dr Erik Selvig" is a (fictional) documentary available on the plane to Europe in "Spider-Man: Far from Home".

Meanwhile, in "Thor: Ragnarok", Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) observes that the infamous Devil's Anus (a wormhole in the atmosphere of Sakaar) "looks like a collapsing neutron star inside of an Einstein-Rosen Bridge". Obviously…

Stranger Things (2016 - 2026)

With the benefit of hindsight, this was a major giveaway. Mr Clarke's class about Einstein-Rosen Bridges in season 5's third episode, "The Turnbow Trap", always seemed a tad advanced for middle-school students.

Luckily, it also provided some handy exposition for one of the biggest reveals of the final episodes, as star student Erica (Priah Ferguson) explained that "wormholes are neat because they allow matter to travel between galaxies or dimensions without crossing the space between".

Fast forward to "Escape to Camazotz" (episode 6) and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) has realized — with the help of dodgy scientist Dr Brenner's (Matthew Modine) notebooks — that there's more to the spooky parallel world of the Upside Down than we originally thought.

"It isn't another dimension, it's not another world," Dustin says. "It's a wormhole, a bridge between two points in time and space. Between our world and another."

When the camera zooms out to show how the Upside Down connects our world with the so-called Abyss/Dimension X, we see that it exhibits a textbook Einstein-Rosen Bridge structure. It also has exotic matter at its heart, introducing even more theoretical physics to "Stranger Things"' sci-fi mix.

February's full moon will reach peak illumination at 5:09 p.m. EST (2209 GMT) on Feb. 1, when the moon's orbit places it directly opposite the sun in Earth's sky, making it appear fully lit from our perspective.

The February full moon is often called the "Snow Moon", in reference to the heavy snowfall that often coats the ground that time of year.

When to see the February full moon

Gaze eastward at sunset on Feb. 1 to witness the full Snow Moon slip over the horizon, close to the stars of the constellation Cancer, the Crab. It will appear particularly large while close to the skyline thanks to a phenomenon known as the "moon illusion", which tricks our brains into thinking that the lunar disk is larger when close to foreground objects, even though its angular size remains unchanged.

Earth's atmosphere can also tint the Snow Moon a yellow or orange hue, as shorter blue wavelengths of light reflected from its surface are scattered during its prolonged journey through Earth's atmosphere.

The table below displays local full moon timings for when the moon is 100% illuminated for a handful of cities spread across the globe (note local moonrise and moonset times will vary depending on your location):

Why it's called the Snow Moon

February's full moon is also known as the Snow Moon, in reference to the abundance of snow that falls in the mid-winter month. It has also been called the "Hungry Moon" to reflect the lack of food available in the winter months and also as the "Bear Moon" by some Indigenous North American tribes to mark the period when bear cubs are born, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.

It's also sometimes known as the "Storm Moon" for the tumultuous weather that occasionally grips the Northern Hemisphere in the month of February, per the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Cultural traditions and festivals

The February full moon coincides with Guru Ravidas Jayanti, a celebration marking the birth of the Indian spiritual leader Guru Ravidas, whose teachings emphasized equality and challenged the caste systemThe festival is observed with processions, holy baths and acts of worship.

In India, the day of the full moon is also known as Magha Purnima, when devotees engage in acts of charity, fasting and prayer, according to The Economic Times.

What else to see in the sky around the full moon

Around this time, you may notice Jupiter appearing as a brilliant "evening star" high above the eastern horizon, with the bright stars Castor and Pollux of the constellation Gemini shining to its left. Jupiter will make for a brilliant stargazing target in early February, less than a month after reaching opposition on Jan. 10, when it sat opposite the sun in Earth's sky, heralding its brightest appearance in 2026.

The familiar stars of the constellation Orion, the Hunter, will be visible twinkling to the right of Jupiter on the night of Feb. 1, with the light of the red giant star Aldebaran, which represents one of the eyes of the great bull represented in the constellation Taurus, winking above.

Regulus — which represents the heart of the lion in the constellation Leo — can be found shining a little over 10 degrees to the lower left of the lunar disk as it rises higher in the winter sky. On the following night (Feb. 2), the moon will pass directly in front of Regulus, occulting the star for observers across parts of North America and Africa, according to In-the-Sky.org.

Meanwhile, Saturn will be visible as a bright point of light shining above the western horizon at sunset on Feb. 1, close to the stars of the constellation Pisces, though the ringed planet will set swiftly out of view less than four hours after sundown.

Look to the east at sunset on Feb. 1 to see the fully-lit Snow Moon shine less than 10 degrees — roughly the width of your outstretched fist — to the lower left of the Beehive Cluster, which lurks in the heart of the constellation Cancer. The vast open cluster plays host to roughly 1,000 bright young stars, though its light will be incredibly challenging to spot in the glare of the full Snow Moon.

Observing tips

February's full moon is an excellent opportunity to explore the lunar seas that served as landing sites for the Apollo-era missions of the 1960s & 70s, as the entirety of Earth's natural satellite is bathed in the light of the sun.

Why not also try your hand at astrophotography by using a DSLR camera and telephoto lens to capture the scarred face of the lunar disk and track how the shifting shadows alter its appearance throughout the month? Be sure to make use of our expert guide to photographing the moon, along with our picks of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography, if you want to switch out or improve your equipment.

Top tips to photograph the moon

• Use a tripod to keep your camera as steady as possible.
• Use a remote shutter/timer to prevent camera wobble.
• A smartphone stargazing app can help you find the exact point of moonrise on your local horizon.
• A lens with a focal length of 12-50 mm is useful for landscape photography, while a focal length of at least 400 mm is advised for capturing more detailed views of the lunar surface.
• The moon can be made to appear particularly large while close to the horizon next to foreground objects, where it may take on an orange-yellow appearance thanks to Rayleigh scattering. A cleaner, more "classic" view can be captured as it soars high overhead.

Upcoming full moons

These times mark the exact instant of full illumination. Your own moonrise or moonset may be hours earlier or later, depending on your location. For the best viewing plan, use an app such as Stellarium or SkySafari 7 Pro to find your local moonrise time.

Editor's Note: Did you capture a stunning picture of the moon and want to share it with Space.com's readers? Then please send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

Saros is one of the best-looking upcoming space games, and not just because it stars the rough and gruff Rahul Kohli. Saros will get in your head.

After a thinner-than-desirable selection of first-party PlayStation games in 2025, Sony is coming back stronger in 2026 with Saros. Here, the Housemarque team has taken its third-person roguelike shooter formula – as first introduced in Returnal – to the next level.

Described as an "emotional and haunting story" by Gregory Louden, Creative Director at Housemarque, Saros has a big focus on a gameplay-first experience. You'll find yourself running around the planet Carcosa as Soltari Enforcer Arjun Devraj (Rahul Kohli), exploring a lost off-world colony, trying to find answers.

While Saros is not a direct sequel, many fans are considering the game Returnal's spiritual successor; Housemarque's third-person shooter was already built around a similar time loop concept that fit the roguelite school of design oh so perfectly.

If roguelite games aren't your jam, then keep an eye out for huge sci-fi releases like Metroid Prime 4, Marathon, and Directive 8020. No matter your genre of choice, you'll be eating well in the coming months.

What is the Saros release date?

Saros is set to release on April 30, 2026.

The game's development and marketing have been pretty straightforward so far. Housemarque started working on Saros right after Returnal launched in 2021, and it wasn't revealed to the world until February 2025.

Saros was originally slated for a March 20, 2026, release, but – announced at The Game Awards 2025 – was then bumped to April 30, 2026.

What platforms will Saros be available on?

Saros will launch exclusively on PS5.

While chances are Sony will stick to its recent 'timed exclusives' strategy of gradually bringing first-party releases to PC, Saros is a PS5 exclusive at the time of writing.

We don't have the full list of unique features yet, but expect it to make good use of PS5's DualSense controller and 3D audio, as well as PS5 Pro's extra visual enhancements.

Saros trailers

So far, we've seen three Saros trailers. The first one was purely cinematic and a big mood setter, introducing Rahul Kohli (The Fall of the House of Usher, Midnight Mass) as Arjun Devraj, the game's protagonist.

It dropped on February 12, 2025, and you can watch it right here:

After spending most of the year without news about the game, a new PlayStation stream shared the first-ever gameplay with us. It's a 5-minute look at Arjun's abilities, some of the unique weapons he comes across, a bit of the setting, and the fresh "second chance" mechanic that reminds us of Sekiro a little bit. Take a look below:

Then on December 11, 2025 the official Saros pre-order trailer was revealed at The Game Awards. We were treated to a bit more of the story, characters, and gameplay too:

What is the plot of Saros?

Set in the future (we don't know when), Saros takes us to the fictional planet Carcosa, where the Soltari enforcer Arjun Devraj looks into the disappearance of an entire off-world colony. It's also been teased that Arjun is looking for a specific someone, adding the emotional stakes we've learned to expect from big-budget PlayStation Studios games to the already enticing mix.

Just after watching that stylish first teaser, it's clear something rather horrifying happened on the planet, and perhaps the ominous eclipse bathing Carcosa in orange light has something to do with it. As alien monsters and twisted cosmic horrors try to stop Arjun's advances, time loop after time loop, he begins to uncover holograms that tell part of what happened there.

Of course, those who have done their homework know the saros is a period of 223 synodic months (18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours); this is used to predict Earth's Sun and Moon eclipses. The connection here is obvious, but how these cycles apply to the world of Carcosa is a complete mystery. And if that planet name sounds familiar, maybe it's because you've read Ambrose Bierce's short story "An Inhabitant of Carcosa" or the 1895 book The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers. Or perhaps you loved the hit HBO show True Detective...

What type of game is Saros?

At first glance, Saros is a sci-fi-themed third-person shooter with big cosmic horror elements. That alone is very appetizing, sure, but what if there was a time loop twist to the entire adventure? And what if the player character could get suits and gun upgrades that change with every run? This is all familiar to those who've played plenty of roguelite games in the past, but they're rarely seen in triple-A games.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle Saros is facing is how it can clearly differentiate itself from Returnal beyond the change in setting and main character. Why a new property instead of a sequel? Well, it appears Housemarque began to answer that question by putting lots of effort into Arjun's physical abilities, which are amplified by the combat suit he wears run after run. Predictably, it can be upgraded, but beyond improving stats and stacking more passive effects, these pickups can allow Arjun to jump much higher, literally run over the smaller enemies, or even create temporal energy shields.

When it comes to firepower, on top of the usual shiny weapons that we'll randomly come across, like in any proper roguelite, the character can block and deflect back enemy shots, and turn the eclipse's energy into powerful blasts. The downside is that overuse of such powers can corrupt Arjun and place debuffs on him. Long story short: Saros is giving players more tools of destruction and defense, but in exchange, striking a balance and learning about the risk/reward associated with powers is essential.

Does Saros have a multiplayer mode?

Saros doesn't include local or online co-op multiplayer.

So far, we've been told Saros is strictly a single-player (albeit highly replayable) game, but considering Returnal received a free co-op mode long after launch, we wouldn't rule out Housemarque pulling the same surprise here, especially if the game is a big enough hit.

Just don't preorder or buy it at launch, expecting a multiplayer update to come.

For all the embarrassment of riches on TV, cinema remains a really big deal for any genre fan. Our guide to the best upcoming sci-fi movies in 2026 features a blockbuster mix of popular franchises, intriguing one-offs, and one of the greatest directors of all time heading back to alien visitation territory.

After seven years away, "Star Wars" returns to the big screen with "The Mandalorian and Grogu", while "Supergirl" takes James Gunn's new-look DC Universe into outer space. Denis Villeneuve makes a third trip to Arrakis in "Dune: Part Three", and — in what's likely to be the biggest release of the year — Robert Downey Jr reunites with the Marvel Cinematic Universe for "Avengers: Doomsday".

It's not all about ongoing sagas, however, as Ryan Gosling saves the world in "Project Hail Mary", and Steven Spielberg deals with UFOs (sound familiar?) in his latest, as-yet-untitled project. We'll also find out what happens when Prince Adam holds aloft his magic sword and yells, "By the power of Grayskull!"

Project Hail Mary

Release date: March 20, 2026 | Cast: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, Milana Vayntrub, Ken Leung

Screenwriter Drew Goddard worked wonders with his Oscar-nominated adaptation of Andy Weir's "The Martian", and a decade later he's back to bring the author's most recent novel to the screen. In "Project Hail Mary", our sun is one of many stars afflicted by a mysterious plague, prompting humanity to launch a mission to fix the problem before it kills all life on Earth.

Ryan Gosling plays the teacher turned reluctant astronaut who has the fate of an entire planet on his shoulders. Luckily, he's not alone in the cosmos as an alien engineer, nicknamed Rocky, has arrived at Tau Ceti with a similar agenda. If they can work out how to communicate, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship…

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Release date: April 3, 2026 | Cast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key

It may not have been a big hit with the critics but the first "The Super Mario Bros Movie" was a massive power-up compared to the risible Bob Hoskins version from the '90s. Indeed, its mega box office take — second only to "Barbie" in 2023 — proved that Hollywood is, at long last, getting a feel for turning videogame icons into movie stars.

This inevitable sequel riffs on the titular Wii game, blasting Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad into outer space to face off against Bowser Jr. Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, and Keegan-Michael Key respawn in their roles from the first movie. Benny Safdie (director of UFC biopic "The Smashing Machine") comes on board as Bowser's malevolent offspring, while Captain Marvel herself, Brie Larson, becomes Nintendo royalty as alien princess Rosalina.

Mortal Kombat II

Release date: May 8, 2026 | Cast: Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson

It's a case of mid-'90s déjà-vu as two giants of the beat-'em-up videogame world renew hostilities on the big screen. "Street Fighter" lands in October, but first to the punch is "Mortal Kombat II", the more sci-fi of the duo and a sequel to the 2021 reboot.

That movie was more successful than expected, and this follow-up adds "The Boys" star Karl Urban to the fight card for round two. He stars as '90s action movie star Johnny Cage, a reluctant conscript in a "war for the fate of your world", forced to use his martial arts skills to protect Earthrealm (that's us) from the evil alien forces of Shao Kahn.

Sonya Blade Kano, Jax, and Scorpion all return to the arena, while fans of the game will recognise big-screen newcomers like Kitana (Adeline Rudolph) and Jade (Tati Gabrielle).

The Mandalorian and Grogu

Release date: May 22, 2026 | Cast: Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White

It's telling that the movie chosen to bring "Star Wars" back to theaters for the first time since 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker" is a follow-up to a TV series. While "Episode IX" was a major disappointment, "The Mandalorian" has been a crowd-pleasing jewel in the Disney+ crown, the one show that — for its first couple of seasons, at least — everybody loved.

The titular duo's promotion to the big screen sees them ditching the bounty hunting to help the New Republic hunt down rogue Imperials. "The Fantastic Four: First Steps"' Pedro Pascal is back as Din Djarin, joined by Sigourney Weaver as a New Republic colonel, and "The Bear"'s Jeremy Allen White voicing Jabba the Hutt's nephew, Rotta.

Don't be surprised, however, if Imperial nasty Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) shows up in "The Mandalorian and Grogu", having already made his big comeback in the "Ahsoka" season 1 finale.

Masters of the Universe

Release date: June 5, 2026 | Cast: Nicholas Galitzine, Jared Leto, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Idris Elba

Aside from Frank Langella's scenery-devouring performance as bony big bad Skeletor, the first live-action "Masters of the Universe" movie lacked the requisite power of Grayskull. The lucrative toy line was already in decline by the time the film landed in 1987, while the Earth-set, Dolph Lundgren-fronted adaptation bore little relation to the popular cartoon series.

Expect a rather more faithful adaptation second time out, as toy giant Mattel looks to He-Man and co to follow in Barbie's box-office conquering footsteps. Director Travis Knight has prior experience of transferring action figures to the big screen with "Transformers" spin-off "Bumblebee", and he's assembled a big-name cast for the trip to Eternia, including Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms, and Jared Leto as Skeletor. Meanwhile, British actor Nicholas Galitzine wields the Sword of Power as He-Man.

Supergirl

Release date: June 26, 2026 | Cast: Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham

Both hail from Krypton and have a penchant for capes, but that's where the "Superman" / "Supergirl" similarities end. While Clark Kent took the easy route to Earth, the cynical, hard-drinking Kara Zor-El went the long way round, growing up among her fellow Kryptonian survivors in Argo City.

The new film (directed by "Cruella"'s Craig Gillespie) is based on Tom King and Bilquis Evely's 2021-2022 comic-book series "Woman of Tomorrow", and — according to the official synopsis — sees Supergirl embarking "on an epic, interstellar journey of vengeance and justice." See? Very un-Superman.

Expect a whistlestop tour of DC's version of outer space, as Kara (played by "House of the Dragon"'s Milly Alcock) wisecracks her way across various alien planets with crowd-pleasing pooch Krypto. Former Aquaman Jason Momoa gets a new DC role as alien bounty hunter Lobo.

Disclosure Day

Release date: June 12, 2026 | Cast: Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind", "ET", "War of the Worlds"… Whether they're friendly or hostile, Steven Spielberg knows a thing or two about alien visitations. But with "Disclosure Day" (the title's only just been revealed), he's been taking a leaf out of "Super 8" collaborator JJ Abrams' book, and playing his cards extremely close to his chest.

A bit of mystery from one of Hollywood's greatest entertainers is something to be cherished, of course, and the first trailer teases without giving much away. The gist, however, seems to be that extra-terrestrials make contact with a selected few, before promising to go public to the entire world — good luck dealing with the ramifications of that one, human race!

Spielberg's bringing a quality cast along for the ride, with Emily Blunt taking the lead as a Kansas City weather presenter who starts talking alien live on air. She's joined by Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, and Wyatt Russell. Regular Spielberg wordsmith David Koepp ("Jurassic Park", "War of the Worlds", "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull") is on screenplay duties, working from the director's own story.

Toy Story 5

Release date: June 19, 2026 | Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Greta Lee, John Ratzenberger

No, the toys aren't blasting off to outer space, but this fifth instalment does feature around 50 confused Buzz Lightyears — all of them on a similar voyage of "you are a child's plaything" self-discovery as Pixar's original (not-)flying toy. Meanwhile, pull-string cowboy Woody is back in the fold after joining Bo Peep on a mission to rehome lost toys, as the playroom dynamic gets shaken up by the arrival of a frog-faced tablet named Lily Pad (voiced by "Tron: Ares"' Greta Lee).

If you're wondering if we need another "Toy Story", it's worth remembering that many said the same thing before the third and fourth movies, and they turned out pretty well. Also, Andrew Stanton (a man who knows a thing or two about the franchise, having co-written every movie so far) is on board as director.

Avengers: Doomsday

Release date: December 18, 2026 | Cast: Robert Downey Jr, almost every MCU actor you can think of, and a few surprises

It's well over six years since the brilliant "Avengers: Endgame" wrapped up Marvel's Infinity Saga in style. Multiverses and numerous Disney+ TV shows have made the MCU rather more unwieldy in the interim, but hopes are high that this fifth outing for Earth's Mightiest Heroes can restore the record-breaking franchise to past glories.

Directors Anthony and Joe Russo know a thing or two about epic superhero team-ups — they previously called the shots on "Captain America: Civil War" and the last two "Avengers" films — but even they might have their work cut out wrangling "Doomsday"'s epic cast. As well as MCU regulars like Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Paul Rudd, and Anthony Mackie, the roster features X-Men veterans Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Kelsey Grammer, and James Marsden.

And then there's the return of Robert Downey Jr, who swaps Iron Man's armor for another metal mask in his new role as Latverian troublemaker Dr Doom.

Related: Marvel movies in order: chronological & release order

Dune: Part Three

Release date: December 18, 2026 | Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Robert Pattinson

For a book series that was once considered unfilmable, Frank Herbert's "Dune" is proving to be remarkably adaptable. After turning the first novel into two films, director Denis Villeneuve is wrapping up his desert trilogy with a film inspired by Herbert's follow-up, "Dune Messiah".

This time out, Fremen chosen one Paul Atreides is juggling his new role as emperor of the known universe with the ongoing battle to maintain control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. Paul's decision to marry Princess Irulan at the end of "Part Two" is sure to have some major ramifications, particularly as a significant time jump looks likely — the book's set 12 years after its predecessor.

Most of the original cast return, along with "The Batman" star Robert Pattinson (reportedly playing the villainous Scytale). "Dune: Part Three" might, however, blink first and shift its release date to avoid a Barbenheimer-style clash with that big Marvel team-up — though we will admit that "Avengers: Dunesday" has a rather nice ring to it…

As the year 2025 winds down and we pop the cork on a fresh 2026, it's a time-honored tradition to reflect back on the past 12 months to consider what Hollywood had to offer. In this era of diminished theatrical releases and streaming's continued rise to power and influence, these sci-fi hits showed us that Tinseltown has still got it where it counts.

Among the many honorees, superhero movies made a respectable showing as DC Studios rolled out "Superman" and Marvel Studios made a retro splash with "The Fantastic Four: First Steps."

Some awkward missteps didn’t make the cut, including the interesting but occasionally irritating "Mickey 17," Disney’s animated astro-flick, "Elio," and the head-scratching aberration of Ice Cube's Prime Video debacle, "War of the Worlds." And as for "The Astronaut", all we can say is WTF.

But for every thorn we've mentioned, there's a blossoming rose. They may not all be at the top of the box office bean counters' ledger sheet, but these twelve movies offered artistry and imagination that delivered exceptional audience experiences in a variety of cinematic forms.

Let's dive right into Space's best sci-fi movies of 2025. ranked.

12. Tron: Ares

Cast: Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith | Director: Joachim Rønning | Watch on: Disney+

We had to have one sacrificial lamb to anchor this list, and "Tron: Ares" more than qualifies for that role to kick us off.

Released in a strange mid-October launch period and carrying with it the legacy of a 43-year-old sci-fi franchise whose last installment, "Tron: Legacy," landed back in 2010, "Tron: Ares" was a financial burden on Disney and appeared dead-on-arrival.

It could be that the execution of the film failed to ignite audience interest in a tale of the digital realm intruding on our real world, or maybe that no one wanted to see an AI Jared Leto. Regardless, director Joachim Rønning’s $220 million neon pic is still a spectacular visual feast with a killer Nine Inch Nails score.

11. The Electric State

Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander | Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo | Watch on: Netflix

Produced for a stratospheric $320 million and starring Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown, this Netflix blockbuster was directed by The Russo Brothers of the "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame" fame. "The Electric State" takes its source material from a surreal graphic novel of the same name by acclaimed Swedish illustrator Simon Stalenhag.

Years after a catastrophic robot rebellion, which humanity won, two lost souls traverse a broken American wasteland with a robot named Cosmo to try and find the consciousness behind this lost droid.

The visual effects by Industrial Light & Magic are cutting-edge, and they should be for the money! Woody Harrelson's robotic Mr. Peanut is a showstopper, and while the movie seems disjointed at times, just consider it a fun cartoonish romp, and you'll have a good time..

10. The Gorge

Cast: Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sigourney Weaver | Director: Scott Derrickson | Watch on: Apple TV+

This sci-fi horror feature from Apple TV slots into our roundup because of its pure entertainment value and captivating performances from Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy.

This should have been given a full theatrical release, but we don't make those decisions and can only gently complain about them. The handsome pair of actors play sniper specialists from enemy countries who must each take a long shift on opposite sides of a massive trench where some unnatural monsters apparently lurk below.

While guarding this mysterious gorge, these good-looking sharpshooters inevitably fall in love and join forces to contain the marauding creatures. Director Scott Derrickson ("Doctor Strange") delivers a good old-fashioned action fright flick that is both charming and rewarding on a particular level that doesn’t demand much heavy lifting.

9. Lilo & Stitch

Cast: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders | Director: Dean Fleischer Camp | Watch on: Disney+

One of the most massive hits of 2025, pulling in over $1 billion and only recently surpassed by "Zootopia 2" as the top box office performer of the year, "Lilo & Stitch" is a delightful live-action sci-fi adventure adapted from the beloved 2002 Disney animated feature.

This makeover movie stays pretty true to the original and revolves around Lilo (Maia Kealoha), a six-year-old, hula-loving Hawaiian surfer girl who adopts a furry blue alien creature named Stitch, who was created as a biological weapon. Agents from the United Galactic Federation soon arrive to retrieve their test subject, and some wacky island mischief ensues.

Director Dean Fleischer Camp keeps things cute and charming, and the result is a successful remake that also stands on its own. Actor Chris Sanders also adds to the finished product by reprising his role voicing Stitch!

8. Bugonia

Cast: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias | Director: Yorgos Lanthimos | Watch on: Peacock

The Human Resistance kidnaps a corporate hotshot played by Emma Stone, believing she’s an extraterrestrial residing on Earth and masquerading as a powerful Big Pharma CEO.

The pair of beekeeping conspiracy nuts played by Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis are insistent that she’s alien royalty from the Andromeda galaxy and try to prevent her from contacting her mothership. What follows is an engrossing battle of wits that leads to some shocking revelations about the fractured reality of humanity.

Director Yorgos Lanthimos offers viewers a quirky, delirious descent into the troubled minds of conspiracy theorists and makes you question the real truth, no matter how outlandish it might seem.

7. Lost in Starlight

Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Hong Kyung, Sharon Kwon, Ahn Young-mi | Director: Han Ji-won | Watch on: Netflix

The second animated feature on this compilation, Lost in Starlight is a touching romantic sci-fi fable from Korea that might have been unfairly overlooked if not for it debuting on Netflix.

South Korean director Han Ji-Won presents an uplifting cosmic story of star-crossed lovers that is a refreshing diversion deserving of the added attention for the holidays and beyond. This engaging tale of the scientist astronaut Nan-young and a struggling musician named Jay becomes a heart-wrenching drama when Nan-young joins a mission to Mars, and their long-distance bond is tested.

The film also delivers a catchy soundtrack of original K-pop songs courtesy of CIFIKA, Meego, John Park, Wave to Earth's Kim Daniel, and many more.