Skywatching

three images next to each other, with a close up of the sun on the left, a red and green northern lights display on the top right and a close up of Earth in the bottom right of the image

Will 2026 bring strong auroras? What the sun's recent activity tells us

By Ryan French published

2025 was another busy year on the sun. But how did it compare with 2024, and what will 2026 bring for solar activity and the northern lights?

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

Night sky tonight: See the Orion Nebula shine after dark on Dec. 18

By Jamie Carter published

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

Stargazing

Aurora forecast for Dec. 18 - Fast solar winds could spark faint auroras tonight

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

The latest aurora forecast for tonight help you make sure you're in the right place at the right time to see the northern lights.

Auroras
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Spaceflight

Artist's impression of the NASA Terra satellite

On this day in space! Dec. 18, 1999: NASA launches Terra Earth-observing satellite

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On Dec. 18, 1999, NASA launched its flagship Terra satellite into Earth's orbit to collect data about Earth's changing climate.

Launches & Spacecraft
Graphic illustration with 'space calendar' in large blue neon letters and 2025 below it in smaller white letters. Below the title are four neon images depicting a meteor or comet, a telescope, a rocket launch and an astronaut's helmet. There is a starry background to the entire image.

Space calendar 2025: Rocket launches, skywatching events, missions & more!

By Space.com last updated

Reference Keep up with all the rocket launches, astronomical events and mission milestones for 2025 with our space calendar.

Reference
a triple-core rocket blasts off under a sunny, partly cloudy blue sky. smoke expands below next to an obscured launch tower, near a long white hanger with SPACEX written on the side. To the left, a bird flies away.

Rocket launch today: Is there a rocket launch and what time?

By Josh Dinner, Tariq Malik last updated

Follow Space.com's rocket launch blog for the latest on when the next rocket launch will be and how to follow it live.

Launches & Spacecraft
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launches the "Don't Be Such a Square" mission for the U.S. Space Force on Dec. 18, 2025.

Rocket Lab launches 4 experimental 'DiskSats' for the US military

By Mike Wall last updated

Rocket Lab launched four "DiskSats" for the U.S. Space Force just after midnight on Thursday (Dec. 18), adding to the company's busy 2025.

Launches & Spacecraft
a man with short hair and giant ears smiles as he walks away to the right, in front of his black and white polkadotted jet parked behind him to the left.

US Senate confirms Jared Isaacman as new NASA administrator

By Josh Dinner published

More than a year after his initial nomination, the U.S. Senate has voted to confirm billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator.

Space Exploration
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Science & Astronomy

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2025

By Tariq Malik, Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

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

Reference

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS makes its closest approach to Earth tonight: Here's what you need to know

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

The interstellar comet will pass safely by Earth, giving astronomers their best chance to study it up close.

Comets
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Space Photo of the Day

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Entertainment

10 years into the Disney 'Star Wars' era: Grading the ups and downs of a galaxy far, far away

By Richard Edwards published

Ten years on from 'The Force Awakens', we look back at what's gone right and what's gone wrong.

Space Movies & Shows

10 years later, 'The Force Awakens' stands as the blueprint for a 'Star Wars' that never was

By Sergio Pereira published

Back in December 2015, the Force awakened in Star Wars, but it quickly went back to sleep.

Space Movies & Shows
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What's Up In Space Today

Search For Life

Saturn's moon Titan looks a bit like Earth, but is, in fact, very different.

Surprise! Saturn's huge moon Titan may not have a buried ocean after all

By Charles Q. Choi published

"We're not certain if having widespread liquid pockets instead of a global ocean makes Titan more or less habitable."

Search for Life
A silhouette of a planet is in front of a giant sun with a small planet to the right of the image

Which exoplanet in the TRAPPIST-1 system could be habitable? Scientists are modeling the star to find out

By Samantha Mathewson published

Frequent flares from the nearby star TRAPPIST-1 could offer new clues in the search for habitable planets beyond Earth.

Search for Life
A reddish dusty surface is seen with an orange sun in the background

Beyond the habitable zone: Exoplanet atmospheres are the next clue to finding life on planets orbiting distant stars

By Morgan Underwood published

But being in this sweet spot doesn't automatically mean a planet is hospitable to life.

Search for Life
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Technology

A series of purple drones come together in the night sky above a still lake to create a 3D image of planet Earth with the continent of Africa seen and reflected in the lake

As above, so below: Earth in the sky | Space photo of the day for Dec. 18, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

This 3D rendering of our planet was part of France's Festival of Lights celebration.

Technology
Hommkiety Galaxy Projector

Which is the best star projector for under $50 this Christmas?

By Alexander Cox published

After testing and reviewing countless star projectors over the years, we're putting the very best head-to-head to determine which is the best for under $50 this Christmas.

Technology
A family opening presents while wearing festive hats in front of a lit up tree.

10 gifts under $100 to transform any space-loving kid's bedroom

By Grace Dean published

Totally transform a kid’s bedroom into a hub of space exploration without breaking the bank this holiday season.

Technology
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