October 12, 2026

The crew of the Artemis II mission has launched into space and completed a nearly 10-day journey around the moon. This development is exciting for sky-watchers because it marks a significant step towards returning humans to the lunar surface and potentially opens up new opportunities for astronomical research. The preliminary lunar science report from this mission will likely provide valuable insights into the moon's composition and environment, which can inform future space travel and exploration plans. Astronomers and space enthusiasts can look forward to learning more about the mission's findings and their implications for upcoming lunar expeditions.

The Taurid meteor showers are expected to bring fireballs to the night sky from September to December. This is exciting for sky-watchers because these fireballs are exceptionally bright and slow-moving, making for a dramatic sight. The Taurids are visible from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, offering a unique viewing opportunity. Sky-watchers can look for these fireballs emanating from the constellation Taurus.

SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying 27 Starlink satellites into orbit. This launch is exciting for sky-watchers because it marks another step in the expansion of the Starlink satellite constellation, which could potentially impact stargazing in the future. Sky-watchers on the West Coast may be able to spot the rocket as it heads south along the California coast after launch.

NASA's SpaceX CRS-35 mission will launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying experiments focused on human and plant health to the International Space Station. This research is significant for sky-watchers because it supports astronaut health during long-duration missions and advances our understanding of life on Earth. The mission's focus on health research has practical implications for future space travel and exploration. Sky-watchers can look forward to learning more about the discoveries made possible by this mission.