Japanese space agency JAXA has successfully launched a mission to visit the moons of Mars — and bring a sample back to Earth.

Each Monday, I pick North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere).

Halley’s Comet causes the Orionid meteor shower, which peaks overnight on Oct. 21-22, 2026. Here’s when and how to see up to 20 “shooting stars” per hour.

Each Monday, I pick North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere).

Each Monday, I pick out North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere).

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, the moon will occult Jupiter before sunrise, creating a rare celestial spectacle visible across eastern North America and beyond.

Northern Hemisphere celestial highlights for October 2026, with Saturn reaching opposition, Jupiter disappearing behind the moon, the Orionids and a “Hunter’s Supermoon.”

Saturn is approaching its best viewing conditions of 2026, with the famous ringed planet set to reach opposition on Oct. 4. Here’s what you need to see its rings.

Each Monday, I pick out North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the northern hemisphere).

See spectacular images of September’s full Harvest Moon rising into twilight alongside Saturn as skywatchers around the world watched the celestial pairing.