Io orbits so close to Jupiter that gravity alone reshapes its entire surface. Instead of cooling over time, the moon is constantly heated from within, driving relentless volcanic activity. Some eruptions send plumes hundreds of kilometers into space,

The bright object to the right of the Moon is Jupiter. A small telescope or a steady pair of binoculars can bring Jupiter’s brightest moons into view. To the left are Castor and Pollux, the brightest stars in the constellation Gemini. Together, they form a noticeable L shape in the January sky.

The first full moon of 2026, known as the Wolf Moon, appeared on Saturday (Jan. 3), and skywatchers captured it in some amazing shots. The Wolf Moon's name has both Native American and Anglo-Saxon origins, and likely comes from the belief that hungry wolves are more likely to be heard howling close to the middle of the winter.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. An award-winning reporter writing about stargazing and the night sky. The action will happen in the east-northeast night sky about four hours after sunset, with the moon shining between ...

A comet from another star system will swing by Mars on Friday as a fleet of spacecraft trains its sights on the interstellar visitor. We already know a decent amount about how planets form, but moon formation is another process entirely, and one we're not ...

The month brings a strong lineup of celestial sights, including a supermoon, meteor activity, and several close moon-planet encounters.

The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a great choice for exploring both the moon and the planets of the solar system beyond in exquisite detail. For a more detailed look, you can check out our Celestron NexStar 8SE review too. Don't miss Jupiter shining close to ...

Jupiter will make its closest approach to Earth in 59 years on Monday, according to NASA. The largest planet in our solar system, the gas giant will be at opposition, meaning Earth is directly between it and the sun, said Trina L. Ray, deputy science ...

Jupiter is about to dominate the midwinter sky, turning January evenings into a showcase for the biggest planet in the solar system. As Earth lines up almost perfectly with Jupiter and the sun, the gas giant will shine at its brightest and stay visible all night,