Watch the Skies

Sometimes, space comes to us! Texas, Ohio, California, Michigan – these are just a few of the states where folks have recently seen the skies illuminate with bright streaks of light. For those lucky enough to spot a fireball, or “shooting star,” the moment can feel awe-inspiring and exciting, and many of you have been sharing stunning visuals from these events. At NASA, where watching the skies is part of our everyday mission, we’ve noticed […]

For two decades, NASA’s Automated Lunar and Meteor Observatory has helped scientists track meteors, observe impacts on the Moon, and better understand the space environment future explorers will face. For a fraction of a second, a tiny rock traveling through space can strike the lunar surface or streak across the sky producing a brief burst […]

This year will be busy for avid skywatchers, with some incredible opportunities to view meteor showers, planets, and the Moon in the night sky. In 2026, we will also mark the 20th anniversary of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Observatory. Originally established as an engine test site in 1958, it was converted to a solar […]

By Jessica Barnett The Perseids remain one of the best meteor showers each year, but stargazers will have to deal with another bright object in the sky obscuring their view as the shower reaches its max in 2025. A waning gibbous Moon will brighten the skies as it rises on the nights of Aug. 12 […]

Heads up, skywatchers! The Southern delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks the night of July 30 into the early morning hours of July 31. But before you grab your blanket and bug spray, let’s dial things in a bit. At NASA, we love a good meteor shower – we have cameras dedicated to watching them! But we also love […]

By Wayne Smith Ahh, spring. Trees are budding, flowers are blooming. Birds are singing and baseball is back. As the old English proverb says, April showers bring May flowers. And skywatchers will soon have an additional reason to enjoy nature’s regeneration – the Eta Aquariid meteor shower, which will streak across the night sky following […]

By Wayne Smith The Lyra constellation in the Northern sky is known as a memorial to music thanks to being named after the lyre, a musical instrument similar to a harp. The small constellation is also the namesake from where the annual Lyrids meteor shower radiates. The Lyrids are expected to peak on the night […]

By Wayne Smith You don’t want to sleep on this upcoming lunar event. Just step outside on the evening of March 13 or early in the morning of March 14 and take a look at the total lunar eclipse for yourself. And you can count NASA’s Dr. Renee Weber among those who will be checking […]

By Serena Whitfield The Geminids meteor shower is back for its annual December show of beautiful bright and fast meteors. The Geminids, which will peak on the night between Dec 13–14 in 2024, is considered to be one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers. Where Did the Geminids Originate and What Makes …

By Serena Whitfield Skywatchers can see the next full Moon, the Beaver Moon, on Nov. 15, starting at 4:29 p.m. EST. This Moon is extra special as it’s the final Supermoon of 2024, meaning the Moon will appear bigger and brighter than usual. The term “supermoon” was coined in 1979 and occurs when a full Moon …