News

The night sky is changing this August — here's which planets to watch

By Joe Rao Published 31 July 26

Venus dominates the evening sky while Mercury and Jupiter stage a beautiful dawn pairing you won't want to miss.

Our favorite space and sci-fi Playmobil sets: From Star Trek playsets to ESA-collaborated models

By Grace Dean Published 31 July 26

Here are 13 of Playmobil's space and sci-fi sets — you'll be sure to find something to suit your needs.

The US government wants to bypass environmental laws for commercial launches and spacecraft reentries

By Elizabeth Howell Published 30 July 26

The FAA, facing a backlog in demand for space missions, is proposing to cut down on environmental reviews to accelerate launches and re-entries.

1st three-headed asteroid found in our solar system — and it has a little moon

By Keith Cooper Published 30 July 26

Sophisticated high-contrast imaging has revealed asteroid 44 Nysa to have three lobes and a small moon.

SpaceX launches secret US spy satellite from Florida (video)

By Mike Wall Last updated 30 July 26

SpaceX launched a secret reconnaissance mission for the U.S. government early on Thursday morning, July 30, 2026 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

HBO's 'Lanterns' teases shape-shifting Manhunters: 'The most dangerous beings to ever exist in the galaxy' (video)

By Jeff Spry Published 30 July 26

From this latest trailer it's apparent that weird shape-shifting Manhunters will be primary antagonists in HBO's upcoming series "Lanterns."

Satellites spy penguin poop on Danger Islands | Space photo of the day for July 30, 2026

By Brett Tingley Published 30 July 26

Researchers used NASA satellite imagery, along with ground observations, to track changes in the diets of penguins on Antarctica's Danger Islands.

On this day in space! July 30, 1610: Galileo sees Saturn's rings for the 1st time

By Hanneke Weitering Published 30 July 26

On July 30, 1610, the famous astronomer Galileo Galilei became the first to observe rings around the planet Saturn. Here's why it matters centuries later.

July full moon delights skywatchers worldwide. Here are our favorite photos of the majestic Buck Moon

By Anthony Wood Published 30 July 26

Wildfires and a balletic display, these are the best photos of the July Buck Moon 2026.

A SpaceX rocket will crash into the moon next week, and scientists aren't sure what to expect

By Leonard David Published 30 July 26

Scientists are preparing to study the effects of human-made impacts on the moon when a spent SpaceX rocket stage impacts the lunar surface on Aug. 5.