Explore

1Weather 1Weather
Weekend Skies to Sparkle With Geminid Meteor Magic

Weekend Skies to Sparkle With Geminid Meteor Magic

The Geminid meteor shower peaks this weekend, offering stargazers a spectacular display with minimal moonlight. Occurring each December as Earth passes through debris from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, the meteors appear to streak from the Gemini constellation. Peak activity is expected Dec. 13–14, with up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal dark skies, though 40–50 per hour is more typical. Fast and often yellow, the meteors are visible before midnight, making them ideal for younger observers and casual skywatchers alike.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Jupiter's Opposition in January 2026: A Bright 'Christmas Star' for Skywatchers

Jupiter's Opposition in January 2026: A Bright 'Christmas Star' for Skywatchers

In December 2025, Jupiter is prominently visible in the night sky, rising about two hours after sunset and dominating the eastern sky. This visibility is due to its upcoming opposition on January 10, 2026, when Earth will be positioned directly between Jupiter and the sun. At this time, Jupiter will be at its closest and brightest to Earth, making it a significant celestial event. Historically, some have speculated that such bright appearances of Jupiter could have been interpreted as the 'Star of Bethlehem.' However, the regularity of Jupiter's opposition, occurring every 13 months, makes it unlikely to be the singular event described in biblical texts. The planet's brightness will increase from a magnitude of -2.4 at the start of December to -2.5 by the end of the month, offering a spectacular view for skywatchers.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Mercury's Greatest Western Elongation Offers Skywatchers a Celestial Treat

Mercury's Greatest Western Elongation Offers Skywatchers a Celestial Treat

Skywatchers are in for a treat as Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation, appearing as far away from the Sun in the sky as it will get during this orbital cycle. This astronomical event occurs when Mercury is positioned west of the Sun, making it visible in the morning sky. On Sunday, Mercury will be nearly one fist above the southeastern horizon at 6:45 a.m. Over the coming weeks, Mercury will gradually move closer to the Sun in the sky, transitioning to be visible in the evening by mid-February. This event is part of a series of celestial occurrences, including the bright star Capella being nearly overhead at midnight and Regulus appearing near the moon.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA Observes Comet 3I/ATLAS as It Makes Closest Approach to Earth

NASA Observes Comet 3I/ATLAS as It Makes Closest Approach to Earth

NASA is closely monitoring Comet 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object making its closest approach to Earth on December 19, 2025. This comet is the third known object from outside our solar system to be discovered within it. Despite its proximity, the comet poses no threat to Earth, remaining about 170 million miles away at its nearest point. Skywatchers in the early pre-dawn hours can view the comet near the star Regulus in the constellation Leo. NASA continues to study the comet using various spacecraft and telescopes to gather as much information as possible while it remains in our solar neighborhood.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Saturn's Moons, Including Titan, Visible in December Sky

Saturn's Moons, Including Titan, Visible in December Sky

On December 8, 2025, Saturn's largest moon, Titan, is completing a transit across the planet, offering a prime viewing opportunity for astronomers. The transit began around 17:40 UT and is best observed from Europe, though the latter stages may be visible from the U.S. East Coast. Observers are advised to use telescopes to discern Titan against Saturn's disk, with improved contrast as evening darkness deepens. Other moons, such as Rhea, Tethys, and Dione, are also visible around Saturn. This event is the second-to-last Titan transit of the year, with another scheduled for Christmas Eve.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Mercury Reaches Greatest Western Elongation, Offering Prime Viewing Opportunity

Mercury Reaches Greatest Western Elongation, Offering Prime Viewing Opportunity

On December 7, Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation from the Sun, making it a prominent feature in the predawn sky. This celestial event positions Mercury 21° west of the Sun, allowing it to be visible approximately two hours before sunrise. Observers can spot Mercury shining brightly at magnitude -0.4 in the eastern sky, near the constellation Libra. The planet appears as a 7-inch wide disk, 61 percent illuminated, offering a clear view through telescopes. This event coincides with other notable astronomical occurrences, such as Europa and its shadow transiting across Jupiter. The article provides detailed observational parameters, including local times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset, as well as the Moon's waning gibbous phase.
Trendline Trendline
Last Supermoon of the Year Captured Alongside Naperville's Festive Believe House

Last Supermoon of the Year Captured Alongside Naperville's Festive Believe House

Last Supermoon of the Year Captured Alongside Naperville's Festive Believe House
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Jupiter's December 2025 Appearance Sparks 'Star of Bethlehem' Debate

Jupiter's December 2025 Appearance Sparks 'Star of Bethlehem' Debate

In December 2025, Jupiter is prominently visible in the night sky, leading to renewed discussions about the 'Star of Bethlehem.' This celestial event occurs as Jupiter approaches opposition on January 10, 2026, when Earth will be positioned between Jupiter and the sun, making the planet appear at its closest and brightest. Historically, some have speculated that the 'Star of Bethlehem' could have been a planetary conjunction involving Jupiter. While no major conjunctions or unusual celestial events are occurring this December, Jupiter's brightness and timing have led some to consider it a modern 'Christmas Star.'
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Geminid Meteor Shower to Illuminate Night Sky with Bright Display

Geminid Meteor Shower to Illuminate Night Sky with Bright Display

The Geminid meteor shower, one of the brightest and most reliable meteor showers of the year, is set to peak overnight from December 13th to 14th. Unlike most meteor showers that originate from comets, the Geminids come from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. The shower is expected to be visible across the night sky, with the best viewing times between midnight and 2 a.m. before the crescent moon rises. NASA recommends finding a dark, open location with minimal light pollution for optimal viewing.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Astronomers Discover Planet TOI-3884b's Unusual Tilted Orbit Around Star

Astronomers Discover Planet TOI-3884b's Unusual Tilted Orbit Around Star

Astronomers have discovered a planet, TOI-3884b, with a highly unusual orbit around its star. The planet's orbit is tilted by approximately 62 degrees relative to the star's rotation axis, a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists. This discovery was made through detailed observations of starspots on the star's surface, which provided insights into the planet's orbit and the star's behavior. The study, published in The Astronomical Journal, revealed that the star completes a full rotation every 11.05 days. The extreme tilt of TOI-3884b's orbit is not explained by the presence of other massive stars or planets, making it a unique case in planetary science.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Reveals New Insights on Uranus's Moons

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Reveals New Insights on Uranus's Moons

Recent observations from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have provided new insights into the small inner moons of Uranus. These moons, which are much redder, darker, and more water-poor than the larger moons, were studied using infrared spectra. The research, to be presented at the 2025 AGU Annual Meeting, highlights the unique characteristics of these moons, such as Mab, which is bluer and more water-rich compared to others. The study also discovered a new moon, temporarily named S/2025 U1, orbiting just outside Uranus's epsilon ring. These findings expand the understanding of the composition and reflectivity of the moons' surfaces, offering clues about their origins and interactions within Uranus's ring system.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
U.S. and Allies Eye Arctic for Critical Mineral Resources Amid Environmental Concerns

U.S. and Allies Eye Arctic for Critical Mineral Resources Amid Environmental Concerns

Several countries, including the United States, are increasingly looking to the Arctic as a potential source for critical minerals. This interest is driven by the need to counter China's dominance in the mineral market. The Arctic is believed to hold vast reserves of strategic materials such as rare earths, uranium, and other precious metals. However, the region's fragile environment poses significant challenges to mining activities. Climate change has made the Arctic more accessible, prompting countries like the U.S., Canada, Russia, Denmark, and Norway to assert their interests in the area. The U.S. has shown particular interest, with discussions about purchasing stakes in Greenland's mineral projects. Environmentalists express concern over the potential ecological impact of mining in this sensitive region.