October 23, 2026

The nearly Full Moon will pass 5° north of Neptune, creating a celestial triangle with the ice giant and nearby gas giant Saturn. This event is notable for sky-watchers because it offers a unique opportunity to spot Neptune, a planet that is often difficult to locate, near a bright and easily identifiable celestial body like the Moon. Sky-watchers can look for this alignment in the constellation Pisces, where the Moon and Neptune will be visible together.

NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has ended its science mission due to increased atmospheric drag at its current low orbit. This conclusion marks the end of a highly successful mission that has greatly expanded our understanding of the universe, leaving behind a wealth of scientific discoveries. Sky-watchers can appreciate the significant contributions Swift has made to the field of astronomy, particularly in the study of gamma-ray bursts and other transient events. The spacecraft is expected to re-enter the atmosphere in the coming weeks, bringing a close to its remarkable 17-year journey.

NASA and its partners, including Blue Origin and SpaceX, are accelerating the development of landers for 2028 moon missions. This development is exciting for sky-watchers because it brings humans one step closer to returning to the lunar surface and potentially opening up new opportunities for space exploration. As the program progresses, space enthusiasts can look forward to learning more about the mission plans and timelines. The successful development of these landers will be crucial to the success of NASA's Artemis program.

A stunning astrophoto captured the Orionid meteor shower in the early hours of October 21, with Halley's Comet visible in the distance. This is exciting for sky-watchers because it showcases the beauty of meteor showers and the opportunity to see a famous comet, even from afar. The image is a great reminder to look out for deep sky wonders when viewing meteor showers, as they can add an extra layer of beauty to the experience.

NASA's Artemis III mission will test future moon lander operations in 2027, sending astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft to perform demonstrations with human landing systems. This mission is significant for sky-watchers because it marks a crucial step towards returning humans to the lunar surface, paving the way for future space exploration. Astronomers and space enthusiasts can look forward to learning more about the mission's progress and the technologies being developed by industry partners Blue Origin and SpaceX. The success of this mission will bring us closer to establishing a sustainable presence on the moon.