# Nightly News: 2026-10-18

That night's Nightly News edition.

## [10 best places to see the 2027 total solar eclipse in Spain](https://darkskiesdirectory.com/nightly-news/2026-10-18/10-best-places-to-see-the-2027-total-solar-eclipse-in-spain)

Source: [Space.com](https://www.space.com/stargazing/solar-eclipses/10-best-places-to-see-the-2027-total-solar-eclipse-in-spain)

A total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain on August 2, 2027, making it an ideal destination for sky-watchers to experience this rare event. This eclipse is a great opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts to witness a total solar eclipse in a relatively accessible location with good infrastructure. Sky-watchers planning to view the eclipse in Spain should research the best locations, such as Andalucía, to maximize their viewing experience.

## ['Let's all choose to make tomorrow better', Artemis II astronauts honored with Stephen Hawking Medal at Starmus](https://darkskiesdirectory.com/nightly-news/2026-10-18/let-s-all-choose-to-make-tomorrow-better-artemis-ii-astronauts-honored-with-stephen-hawking-medal-at-starmus)

Source: [Space.com](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/artemis-ii-astronauts-honored-with-stephen-hawking-medal-at-starmus)

The Artemis II astronauts have been awarded the Stephen Hawking Medal for their efforts in sharing the wonders of space exploration with the public. This recognition is exciting for sky-watchers because it highlights the importance of making space travel and astronomy accessible to everyone. The award ceremony took place during the Starmus VIII festival, an event that celebrates the intersection of science, art, and music. Astronomers and space enthusiasts can look forward to learning more about the Artemis II mission and its contributions to the field of space exploration.

## [Falcon 9 set to launch Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission from Florida](https://darkskiesdirectory.com/nightly-news/2026-10-18/falcon-9-set-to-launch-bandwagon-5-rideshare-mission-from-florida)

Source: [NASASpaceflight.com](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/10/bandwagon-5/)

A Falcon 9 vehicle is set to launch the Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission from Florida, carrying 32 payloads to low-Earth orbit. This launch is exciting for sky-watchers because it showcases the growing accessibility of space for small satellite companies and institutions. Sky enthusiasts can look for the launch on Monday, October 19, with a one-hour launch window opening at 6:30 AM EDT. The launch will follow a southeasterly trajectory, offering a potential viewing opportunity for those in the region.

## [SpaceX working through Starship Flight 15 and 16 milestones](https://darkskiesdirectory.com/nightly-news/2026-10-18/spacex-working-through-starship-flight-15-and-16-milestones)

Source: [NASASpaceflight.com](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/10/spacex-flight-15-16-milestones/)

SpaceX is making progress on its next two Starship missions, with Flight 15 targeting November and Flight 16 aimed for December. This is exciting news for sky-watchers who are interested in the development of reusable spacecraft technology. The upcoming launches will be worth keeping an eye on, especially as SpaceX works towards establishing a high launch cadence from its Starbase facility.

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Canonical: https://darkskiesdirectory.com/nightly-news/2026-10-18
Updated: 2026-10-18T23:00:28.579Z