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Space
Milky Way and Andromeda held together by dark matter sheet
A new computer simulation shows the Milky Way and nearby galaxies are in a sheet of dark matter between 2 voids. Galaxies on the outside fly away from us.
Astronomy Essentials
Tonight
Visible planets and night sky guide for February
Visible planets and night sky guide. In this evening's twilight, look for the slim crescent moon near the horizon. It'll be close to the planet Mercury.
Sun

Sun news: Space telescopes observed eclipse yesterday

Sun news for February 18, 2026: Satellites captured yesterday's annular solar eclipse from space! See the awesome imagery here.
Tonight

Cassiopeia the Queen reigns in the February sky

Cassiopeia the Queen is an easy-to-find constellation. It has the shape of a W or M. Look in the northwest, on the evenings, in late winter and early spring.
Space

Black hole belches radiation long after eating a star

A black hole has been spewing out powerful radio waves years after shredding a star, and it's expected to get brighter till 2027.
Space

NASA says organics on Mars are hard to explain without life

NASA's Curiosity rover found complex organics on Mars, possibly remains of fatty acids. A new NASA study suggests they are difficult to explain without life.
Human World

Happy Lunar New Year 2026! The Year of the Horse

Lunar New Year 2026 kicks off February 17 with the new moon, marking the start of the Year of the Horse — fireworks, dragons and global celebrations await!
Astronomy Essentials

Annular solar eclipse today! 1st solar eclipse of the year

On February 17, 2026, an annular solar eclipse was visible from remote parts of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Details here.
Brightest Stars

Can you see Canopus, the 2nd-brightest star?

Here's how to spot Canopus, the 2nd-brightest star in the sky as seen from Earth, on February evenings. It’s located far south on the sky’s dome.
Earth

The gliding possum is a nocturnal acrobat of the forest

The gliding possum darts through the night, soaring up to 165 feet with its young in its pouch. This tiny acrobat rules the treetops.