Sun
Sun news: Sun stuff arrives with the fireworks!
Sun news for July 4, 2026: G3 storm arrives with the fireworks! Aurora seen in Utah, Colorado, Nevada. 12 M-flares fire. More CMEs may extend the party!
Astronomy Essentials
Tonight
Visible planets and night sky guide for July
EarthSky's visible planets and night sky guide. Watch a video about the sun's greatest distance from Earth and the asteroid that passed Earth last weekend.
Constellations

Ursa Minor the Lesser Bear contains the Little Dipper

Ursa Minor is the Lesser Bear, but you might recognize it as the Little Dipper. Also, its brightest star is Polaris, the North Star.
Space

The Milky Way’s arms might not look as we thought

The Milky Way's arms might be farther away than we thought, meaning our galaxy is likely larger than previously believed. Here's how they made the measurements.
Human World

How do fireworks get their beautiful colors?

The red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple colors exploding in the night sky during a fireworks festival are created by the use of metal salts.
Space

Top 10 cool things about stars that you probably didn’t know

Here's a collection of 10 cool things about stars that you probably didn't know. Big stars, green stars, black holes, stars by the millions, and more!
Space

Groundbreaking Swift spacecraft rescue mission launches

NASA's LINK spacecraft is on its way to save the Swift space telescope. LINK launched earlier today from Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific Ocean.
Earth

Dog days of summer: Hottest in July and August

The dog days of summer are named for the Dog Star Sirius - the brightest star in the sky - in the constellation Canis Major the Greater Dog. Learn why here.
Space

Complex carbon in Mars rocks: Another clue to past life?

Scientists have found complex carbon in Mars rocks that the Perseverance rover has studied. They're the same rocks found in 2024 to contain hints of life.
Space

Huge magma systems on Mars existed below the surface

Scientists have found evidence of enormous ancient magma systems on Mars. They show that Mars' volcanic systems were once more complex than 1st thought.

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