Astronomy news

• Bipartisan US Planetary Science Caucus 'alarmed' by Trump's possible plans to slash NASA budget and block Mars Sample Return

  16-04-2025 23:00 via space.com
  
  In response to reports of the Trump administration aiming to slash NASA's 2026 science budget by nearly half, US Planetary Science Caucus co-chairs have expressed their alarm.
  
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• A SpaceX Starlink satellite is tumbling and falling out of space after partial breakup in orbit

  18-12-2025 20:51 via space.com
  
  One of SpaceX's Starlink broadband satellites suffered an anomaly in orbit on Wednesday (Dec. 17) that led to its partial breakup, according to the company.
  
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• Astronomers capture 1st direct images of collisions in a nearby star system: 'It's like looking back in time'

  18-12-2025 20:01 via space.com
  
  "It's like looking back in time in a sense, to that violent period of our solar system when it was less than a billion years old."
  
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• 4 ways to track 3I/ATLAS without a telescope as it makes its closest approach to Earth tonight

  18-12-2025 19:00 via space.com
  
  Interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS is travelling away from the sun on its way back to interstellar space.
  
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• 'Crash Clock' reveals how soon satellite collisions would occur after a severe solar storm — and it's pretty scary

  18-12-2025 18:00 via space.com
  
  Satellites would likely begin colliding with each other or space junk in less than three days if they were to lose the ability to maneuver, for example due to an intense solar storm.
  
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• Scientists detect X-ray glow from interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS extending 250,000 miles into space

  18-12-2025 16:00 via space.com
  
  A rare interstellar comet has been caught in X-rays by two space telescopes, revealing how its gases interact with charged particles from the sun as it travels through the inner solar system.
  
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• Will 2026 bring strong auroras? What the sun's recent activity tells us

  18-12-2025 15:00 via space.com
  
  2025 was another busy year on the sun. But how did it compare with 2024, and what will 2026 bring for solar activity and the northern lights?
  
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• As above, so below: Earth in the sky | Space photo of the day for Dec. 18, 2025

  18-12-2025 14:46 via space.com
  
  This 3D rendering of our planet was part of France's Festival of Lights celebration.
  
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• 27 Dec 2025 (9 days away): Close approach of the Moon and Saturn

  18-12-2025 13:38 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Saturn pass close to each other.
  
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• 18 Dec 2025 (8 hours ago): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 13:14 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
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• 18 Dec 2025 (7 hours ago): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 13:14 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (6 hours ago): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 13:14 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (5 hours ago): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 13:14 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (4 hours ago): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 13:14 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (3 hours ago): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 13:14 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (24 minutes ago): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 13:14 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (2 hours ago): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 13:14 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (1 hour ago): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 13:14 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (32 minutes away): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 12:42 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• Night sky tonight: See the Orion Nebula shine after dark on Dec. 18

  18-12-2025 12:11 via space.com
  
  Find out what you can see in the night sky for tonight, from planets and stars to dazzling meteor showers.
  
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• What time will interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS be closest to Earth tonight?

  18-12-2025 12:00 via space.com
  
  NASA JPL pinpoints the moment the interstellar visitor passes closest to our planet.
  
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• 18 Dec 2025 (1 hour away): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 11:49 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• Which is the best star projector for under $50 this Christmas?

  18-12-2025 11:00 via space.com
  
  After testing and reviewing countless star projectors over the years, we're putting the very best head-to-head to determine which is the best for under $50 this Christmas.
  
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• 10 gifts under $100 to transform any space-loving kid's bedroom

  18-12-2025 11:00 via space.com
  
  Totally transform a kid’s bedroom into a hub of space exploration without breaking the bank this holiday season.
  
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• 18 Dec 2025 (2 hours away): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 10:51 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (3 hours away): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 09:18 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (4 hours away): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 08:32 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (5 hours away): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 07:46 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (6 hours away): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 06:57 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

• 18 Dec 2025 (7 hours away): Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

  18-12-2025 05:25 via in-the-sky.org
  The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°09'.
  
  Read more

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