Here’s what to expect during each stage of the Aug. 27-28 partial lunar eclipse, as our planet’s colossal shadow swallows 96% of the moon’s surface for billions on the night side of Earth.
August’s lunar eclipse is the closing act of a dramatic two-part show, the opening act of which began on Aug. 12 as the moon covered the face of the sun to trigger a spectacular total…
In August of 2006, astronomers at the International Astronomical Union (IAU) democratically voted to reclassify Pluto as a dwarf planet — but 20 years later, with our greater knowledge and understanding of planetary systems, is it time to revisit the controversial…
Partial lunar eclipse Aug. 27-28 live updates: 3 days to go, here's what you need to know
August 25, 2026
2026-08-24T12:45:01.991Z
What will happen during each stage of the partial lunar eclipse?
A partial lunar eclipse turns the moon red in the skies over Sri Lanka. (Image credit: Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A partial lunar eclipse has five…
My favorite thing in the night sky appears on Aug. 28 — and it proves Earth is a sphere
August 24, 2026
What’s your favorite thing in the night sky? Maybe it’s the Pleiades, that sparkling open cluster that dominates winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Perhaps it’s a sight of the Milky Way arching across the summer sky. Or could it be Saturn, a close-up sight of which has many people reaching for their wallets to buy a bigger telescope.
My favorite sight? It’s us or, rather…
Could 'dark photons' explain dark matter?
August 24, 2026
New research suggests that if dark matter is composed of “dark photons,” it would not have heated the early cosmos like scientists previously thought. If correct, this discovery could represent a paradigm shift in the hunt for the universe’s most mysterious…
Partial lunar eclipse live: Latest news, viewing tips and live updates from Aug. 27-28 eclipse
August 24, 2026
2026-08-23T11:07:04.809Z
How to view a partial lunar eclipse
A lunar eclipse captured over the United Kingdom in 2007. (Image credit: Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
One of the wonderful things about a lunar eclipse is that it can be witnessed by everyone who…
Mars Express orbiter captures detailed new video of the crater where Mark Watney was stranded in 'The Martian'
August 21, 2026
Europe’s Mars Express orbiter has captured new, stunning imagery flying low over a geological region of the Red Planet shaped by ancient waterflow billions of years ago.
Mars Express launched in 2003 and is operated by the European Space Agency (ESA). It’s equipped with the High Resolution Stereo Camera, which scans multiple points of perspective across regions of Mars’ surface…
James Webb Space Telescope finds 'hidden stars' making the universe's 1st galaxies much bigger than we knew
August 21, 2026
Imagine looking at a vast city on Earth from a great distance, knowing nothing about that city; you may assume that its only buildings are the largest, most visible skyscrapers. But, get closer or look with a far more powerful tool, and you would begin to discover smaller…
We’re just one week away from a stunning partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27-28, when billions across North America, South America, Africa and Europe will see Earth’s shadow dye the moon a subtle crimson hue, while leaving a thin crescent exposed to direct…
My 5 favorite sights to see in the night sky with binoculars
August 20, 2026
Top 5 things to see in the night sky with binoculars – ranked by an expert
Beyond simple naked-eye observing, a pair of the best binoculars are the most accessible way to experience the night sky. They are affordable (although pricier models are available), very easy to use compared to telescopes and they offer a wide range of celestial sights, from our solar system neighbors to distant…
