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The Latest Breaking News from Joe Rao

Happy Summer Solstice! Today marks the longest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere

The summer solstice marks the longest day and the start of astronomical summer.

Space

Venus, Jupiter and Mercury headline a stunning planet parade through June. Here's when to see it

Three planets, two stars and one moon create a spectacular June sky show.

Space

A bright star will disappear for up to an hour tonight — here's what's happening

The moon will briefly hide Regulus in a dramatic occultation visible across parts of the eastern U.S.

Space

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Venus shines at its best in spring and summer 2026 — here's what to look for

Venus returns as a brilliant evening star in 2026, with dazzling conjunctions, peak brightness and stunning views through the summer.

Space

Watch comet C/2026 A1 plunge toward the sun online this week

Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) belongs to a rare group of sungrazing comets.

Space

Comet MAPS faces a make-or-break moment as it dives toward the sun on April 4 — could it shine in the daytime sky?

Comet MAPS is about to face its ultimate test as it sweeps just 101,000 miles above the sun's surface.

Space

Newly discovered comet could be visible in daytime skies this April

A newly discovered comet is rapidly brightening and could become visible from Earth — if it survives an extreme close encounter with the sun on April 4.

Space

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The moon meets up with the Seven Sisters tonight. Here's how to see it

On the evening of Oct. 9, a waning gibbous moon visits the famous Pleiades Star Cluster — the Seven Sisters — in the Taurus constellation.

Space

Could new comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) become visible to the naked eye in October? Here's what we know

Newly discovered comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) will soon be gracing our evening sky. Here's how to see it and what to expect.

Space

Don't miss the beautiful summer Milky Way next week as the new moon goes dark on Sept. 21

The moon is near new phase this week, and clearer skies and cooler overnight temperatures means that this is also an optimum week to check out the beautiful summer Milky Way.

Space

Saturn's largest moon Titan casts a colossal shadow in breathtaking amateur portrait (photo)

Efrain Morales captured the image of Titan's shadow darkening Saturn on July 18, while the gas giant was over 800 million miles from Earth.

Space

See the moon cross the Pleiades for the last time this year on July 20

The moon's crescent limb will cloak and uncover stars from the iconic cluster before sunrise.

Space

A vast shadow will sweep over Saturn's cloud tops early on July 18: Here's how to see it

Titan shadow transit seasons occurs just once every 15 years.

Space

The Perseid meteor shower kicks off summer 'shooting star' season this week. Here's how to see it

Each summer, skywatchers around the world look forward to the famous Perseid meteor shower, but often overlook four lesser showers that peak between July 29 and Aug. 16.

Space

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Space

How to see China's Tiangong space station and the ISS in the predawn sky this week

The International Space Station and China's Tiangong Space Station will be visible for early risers. Here's how to make a dual sighting.

Space

'An exceedingly rare event': See a pair of nova explosions shining in the southern sky this week.

Both novas will eventually become too dim to see, even under the darkest skies. So catch them while you can!

Space

How to see Mercury, the moon and the Gemini twins pass close together in the night sky this week

On June 26, you'll have an opportunity to behold the sight of a slender waxing crescent moon positioned just to the right of Mercury.

Space

Fred Espenak, astronomy's 'Mr. Eclipse', dies at 71

Astronomy has lost one of its most assiduous calculators of eclipses with the passing of astronomer Fred Espenak, known widely as "Mr. Eclipse."

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Space

What to expect from the newfound Comet Swan: An observer's guide

Here's an observers' guide to the newly discovered Comet 2025 F2 (SWAN), which is visible in northern skies right now.

Space

Solar eclipse US weather forecast: Best places to see the moon 'bite' the sun tomorrow

A partial solar eclipse is coming this weekend, but weather could be an issue for many hoping to get a glimpse of the moon "taking a bite" out of the sun.

Space

When's the next 'parade of planets'? The past, present and future of planetary alignments

Just how rare are planetary alignments?

Space

'Blood Worm Moon' US weather forecast: Best places to see tonight's total lunar eclipse

Here are the weather conditions that can be expected during the the total "Blood Moon" lunar eclipse thought the United States on March 13, 2025.

Space

What will happen during the total lunar eclipse of March 2025?

Observers across most of the United States will have front-row seats to the spectacular total lunar eclipse overnight on March 13-14. Here's what to expect.

Space

See Mercury at its best in the night sky over the next 2 weeks

In March 2025 we have a fine opportunity to view the planet that many astronomy guide books refer to as the most difficult of the naked-eye planets to see: Mercury.

Space

The Winter Triangle meets the 'Mars Triangle' in the night sky this month

For the next few weeks, the planet Mars will form an isosceles triangle with the two bright stars marking the heads of the Gemini Twins, Pollux and Castor.

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