Starship reaches Earth’s orbit for 1st time

SpaceX’s Starship entered Earth’s orbit for the first time on September 28, 2026. Image via SpaceX.

SpaceX reached a milestone yesterday, September 28, 2026, as its colossal Starship spacecraft reached Earth’s orbit for the first time. It was a much-needed success — though far from flawless — for a vehicle intended to take humans to the lunar surface as soon as 2028.

The rocket, which is the largest and most powerful ever built, launched for its 14th test flight from Starbase, Texas, at 7:48 CDT (12:48 UTC). The boosting phase was a success. But after the booster separated, one of the upper stage’s six engines failed. We heard much deliberation from mission control, and it seemed another disappointing day for SpaceX was on the cards. But SpaceX ultimately pushed ahead, and 25 minutes after its launch — and three years after its first test flight — Starship reached Earth’s orbit.

Starship was meant to circle Earth six times on a 10-hour voyage. But SpaceX pulled the plug after only three hours, bringing the ship down to an explosive splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. SpaceX have since announced that this decision to shorten the flight was taken “out of an abundance of caution given the engine issue experienced during ascent”.

However, despite the mission being cut short, SpaceX had time to successfully deploy 26 Starlink V3 satellites into orbit. Unlike previous missions, which had released dummy satellites, these were real additions to the Starlink system.

So, while not without its issues, this was a test that SpaceX will likely be happy with. It comes following a 13th test in July that saw the booster fail in its landing attempt, and after a shocking explosion on the launchpad in June.

Starship launched for its 14th test flight at 7:48 CDT (12:48 UTC) from Starbase, Texas. Image via SpaceX.

First journey into Earth orbit

This 14th test flight was SpaceX’s first attempt to bring Starship into full Earth orbit. Previous missions had taken suborbital trajectories which ensured that, if SpaceX were to lose control of the rocket (as has happened before), it would come down in the ocean. When in orbit, the risks of a rogue spacecraft are much harder to manage.

And, despite the ultimate success of test flight 14, Starship didn’t entirely behave itself this time round.

The test began with another spectacular launch for the rocket, which stands 394 feet (120 meters) tall on the launch pad. The booster lifted off with all 33 engines running, although one failed during the ascent.

Having boosted Starship’s upper stage out of Earth’s lower atmosphere, the booster separated and performed its trademark flip before boosting back to Earth, with 26 of the intended 28 engines lit. And only 11 of the intended 13 engines lit for its landing burn, which still righted the booster and brought it to a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. SpaceX had not planned to catch the booster in its giant mechanical “chopsticks” as it had done in 2024. This is set to be attempted again in flight 15.

After this boost, things took a troubling turn for Starship. With one of the upper stage’s six raptor engines switching off unexpectedly, it seemed the orbital attempt would have to be called off. The presenter on SpaceX’s stream initially suggested as much. But mission control ultimately decided to go ahead. Starship fired a single booster for just 19 seconds to push it up into orbit, some 171 miles (275 km) above the Earth’s surface.

During its 1st flight in Earth’s orbit, Starship deployed 26 Starlink satellites. Image via SpaceX.

Cause for concern?

Cruising at 17,400 miles per hour (28,000 km/h), Starship returned breathtaking shots of our planet. And it opened its bay doors to deposit 26 Starlink satellites into orbit within just 30 minutes.

This pace of deployment naturally raises questions of how this spacecraft could play a part in the worsening congestion above our world. Read more on the dangers of satellites and space junk, or watch this video with astronomer Jonathan McDowell.

Another concern with these launches is their environmental impact. While SpaceX’s aim with Starship is to build a fully reusable spacecraft, this testing phase has seen many huge explosions in the Gulf and beyond.

Yesterday, it was the upper stage’s turn to explode dramatically after an initially gentle splashdown in the Pacific. Read more about the environmental cost of these test flights. Or watch an interesting video science communicator Hank Green made about the topic.

Starship’s upper stage explodes in the Pacific ocean after an initially gentle splashdown. Image via SpaceX.

What’s next for Starship?

While not a perfect test, Starship’s successful entry to Earth orbit will come as a relief not only to SpaceX, but to NASA.

Starship is integral to NASA’s Artemis program, which is aiming to return humans to the lunar surface as early as 2028. Earlier this year, NASA’s Orion capsule carried humans round the moon for the first time in 50 years. But the Orion capsule can’t get humans to the lunar surface. That’s where Starship is meant to come in.

SpaceX has a contract with NASA to provide a Human Landing System variant of Starship, which will ferry astronauts to the lunar surface on the Artemis 4 mission, currently targeted for early 2028. But Starship is currently behind schedule, even despite the other huge delays to the Artemis program.

SpaceX now has a rival for this job: Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Blue Origin now also has a contract for the Artemis program. The current plan is for both Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lunar lander to be tested in low-Earth orbit during the Artemis 3 mission, currently set for 2027. This should see Starship and Blue Moon dock with Orion, which will have four astronauts on board.

Despite the success of this latest test, Starship surely has a long way to go before NASA will allow it to carry its astronauts.

Bottom line: SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft finally reached Earth orbit in its 14th test flight yesterday, September 28. Though successful, the flight was not without its flaws.

You deserve a daily dose of good news. For the latest in science and the night sky, subscribe to EarthSky’s free daily newsletter.

Read more: Another SpaceX Starship explosion! Huge fireball during test

The post Starship reaches Earth’s orbit for 1st time first appeared on EarthSky.

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SpaceX’s Starship entered Earth’s orbit for the first time on September 28, 2026. Image via SpaceX.

SpaceX reached a milestone yesterday, September 28, 2026, as its colossal Starship spacecraft reached Earth’s orbit for the first time. It was a much-needed success — though far from flawless — for a vehicle intended to take humans to the lunar surface as soon as 2028.

The rocket, which is the largest and most powerful ever built, launched for its 14th test flight from Starbase, Texas, at 7:48 CDT (12:48 UTC). The boosting phase was a success. But after the booster separated, one of the upper stage’s six engines failed. We heard much deliberation from mission control, and it seemed another disappointing day for SpaceX was on the cards. But SpaceX ultimately pushed ahead, and 25 minutes after its launch — and three years after its first test flight — Starship reached Earth’s orbit.

Starship was meant to circle Earth six times on a 10-hour voyage. But SpaceX pulled the plug after only three hours, bringing the ship down to an explosive splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. SpaceX have since announced that this decision to shorten the flight was taken “out of an abundance of caution given the engine issue experienced during ascent”.

However, despite the mission being cut short, SpaceX had time to successfully deploy 26 Starlink V3 satellites into orbit. Unlike previous missions, which had released dummy satellites, these were real additions to the Starlink system.

So, while not without its issues, this was a test that SpaceX will likely be happy with. It comes following a 13th test in July that saw the booster fail in its landing attempt, and after a shocking explosion on the launchpad in June.

Starship launched for its 14th test flight at 7:48 CDT (12:48 UTC) from Starbase, Texas. Image via SpaceX.

First journey into Earth orbit

This 14th test flight was SpaceX’s first attempt to bring Starship into full Earth orbit. Previous missions had taken suborbital trajectories which ensured that, if SpaceX were to lose control of the rocket (as has happened before), it would come down in the ocean. When in orbit, the risks of a rogue spacecraft are much harder to manage.

And, despite the ultimate success of test flight 14, Starship didn’t entirely behave itself this time round.

The test began with another spectacular launch for the rocket, which stands 394 feet (120 meters) tall on the launch pad. The booster lifted off with all 33 engines running, although one failed during the ascent.

Having boosted Starship’s upper stage out of Earth’s lower atmosphere, the booster separated and performed its trademark flip before boosting back to Earth, with 26 of the intended 28 engines lit. And only 11 of the intended 13 engines lit for its landing burn, which still righted the booster and brought it to a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. SpaceX had not planned to catch the booster in its giant mechanical “chopsticks” as it had done in 2024. This is set to be attempted again in flight 15.

After this boost, things took a troubling turn for Starship. With one of the upper stage’s six raptor engines switching off unexpectedly, it seemed the orbital attempt would have to be called off. The presenter on SpaceX’s stream initially suggested as much. But mission control ultimately decided to go ahead. Starship fired a single booster for just 19 seconds to push it up into orbit, some 171 miles (275 km) above the Earth’s surface.

During its 1st flight in Earth’s orbit, Starship deployed 26 Starlink satellites. Image via SpaceX.

Cause for concern?

Cruising at 17,400 miles per hour (28,000 km/h), Starship returned breathtaking shots of our planet. And it opened its bay doors to deposit 26 Starlink satellites into orbit within just 30 minutes.

This pace of deployment naturally raises questions of how this spacecraft could play a part in the worsening congestion above our world. Read more on the dangers of satellites and space junk, or watch this video with astronomer Jonathan McDowell.

Another concern with these launches is their environmental impact. While SpaceX’s aim with Starship is to build a fully reusable spacecraft, this testing phase has seen many huge explosions in the Gulf and beyond.

Yesterday, it was the upper stage’s turn to explode dramatically after an initially gentle splashdown in the Pacific. Read more about the environmental cost of these test flights. Or watch an interesting video science communicator Hank Green made about the topic.

Starship’s upper stage explodes in the Pacific ocean after an initially gentle splashdown. Image via SpaceX.

What’s next for Starship?

While not a perfect test, Starship’s successful entry to Earth orbit will come as a relief not only to SpaceX, but to NASA.

Starship is integral to NASA’s Artemis program, which is aiming to return humans to the lunar surface as early as 2028. Earlier this year, NASA’s Orion capsule carried humans round the moon for the first time in 50 years. But the Orion capsule can’t get humans to the lunar surface. That’s where Starship is meant to come in.

SpaceX has a contract with NASA to provide a Human Landing System variant of Starship, which will ferry astronauts to the lunar surface on the Artemis 4 mission, currently targeted for early 2028. But Starship is currently behind schedule, even despite the other huge delays to the Artemis program.

SpaceX now has a rival for this job: Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Blue Origin now also has a contract for the Artemis program. The current plan is for both Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lunar lander to be tested in low-Earth orbit during the Artemis 3 mission, currently set for 2027. This should see Starship and Blue Moon dock with Orion, which will have four astronauts on board.

Despite the success of this latest test, Starship surely has a long way to go before NASA will allow it to carry its astronauts.

Bottom line: SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft finally reached Earth orbit in its 14th test flight yesterday, September 28. Though successful, the flight was not without its flaws.

You deserve a daily dose of good news. For the latest in science and the night sky, subscribe to EarthSky’s free daily newsletter.

Read more: Another SpaceX Starship explosion! Huge fireball during test

The post Starship reaches Earth’s orbit for 1st time first appeared on EarthSky.

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Equuleus the Little Horse on autumn nights

The constellation Equuleus the Little Horse is a small, dim group of stars that lies southeast of the Summer Triangle. Chart via EarthSky.

Equuleus the Little Horse is the second smallest constellation in the sky. It’s a good target for the Northern Hemisphere’s fall sky, but only by knowing just where to look. The good news is, if you have dark skies and can find the Summer Triangle, we can lead you to Equuleus, too.

Mythology of Equuleus the Little Horse

Equuleus (pronounced Eh-KWOO-lee-us) was the mythological child of Pegasus the Winged Horse. Although in other mythological stories, Equuleus is Celeris, the brother of Pegasus. Yet another myth says that Equuleus is a sea horse, who came into being when Neptune and Athena were having a contest showcasing their powers. In this story, Equuleus was born from Neptune’s trident.

Location and stars of Equuleus

Because Equuleus is the child of Pegasus, they are located next to one another in the night sky. Pegasus is easy to find if you remember its asterism, the Great Square of Pegasus. Then look between the Great Square and the Summer Triangle to find Equuleus. Another way to find Equuleus is to look under the shape of the leaping dolphin in the constellation Delphinus.

Equuleus is the smallest of all the constellations in the Northern Hemisphere (only Crux, in the Southern Hemisphere, is smaller than Equuleus). It is less than 13 degrees wide at its widest point. Its brightest star is a magnitude 3.92 star known as Alpha Equulei, or Kitalpha. And it lies 186 light-years away.

A few other stars in the constellation also have Greek letter designations. Two and a half degrees from Alpha Equulei is Beta Equulei, a magnitude 5.16 star located 360 light-years away. Less than five degrees from Alpha Equulei are two stars in close proximity. The magnitude 4.47 Delta Equulei lies one degree from Gamma Equulei, a magnitude 4.7 star. Delta Equulei is closer at a distance of 60 light-years, while Gamma Equulei lies 115 light-years away. Lastly, the magnitude 5.24 star Epsilon Equulei lies in the western corner of the constellation. Epsilon Equulei is 197 light-years away.

The constellation of Equuleus the Little Horse. Image via IAU/ Sky and Telescope.

Equuleus’ deep-sky objects

Equuleus’ tiny size away from the plane of our Milky Way means it misses out on nebulae, clusters and other good deep-sky observing targets. There are no Messier objects in Equuleus. And you’ll need a hefty telescope to see any of the galaxies here. They’re better targets for a night at the observatory.

Near the center of the constellation is the spiral galaxy NGC 7040 at a magnitude of 15. Less than two degrees away from Gamma Equulei is another spiral galaxy, NGC 7015, with a magnitude of 13. Finally, the barred spiral galaxy NGC 7046 lies in the southern portion of the constellation near some other, even dimmer galaxies. NGC 7046 has a magnitude of 14.

Bottom line: Equuleus the Little Horse is a diminutive constellation that lies south of the Summer Triangle. September nights are a great time to view the Little Horse.

The post Equuleus the Little Horse on autumn nights first appeared on EarthSky.

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The constellation Equuleus the Little Horse is a small, dim group of stars that lies southeast of the Summer Triangle. Chart via EarthSky.

Equuleus the Little Horse is the second smallest constellation in the sky. It’s a good target for the Northern Hemisphere’s fall sky, but only by knowing just where to look. The good news is, if you have dark skies and can find the Summer Triangle, we can lead you to Equuleus, too.

Mythology of Equuleus the Little Horse

Equuleus (pronounced Eh-KWOO-lee-us) was the mythological child of Pegasus the Winged Horse. Although in other mythological stories, Equuleus is Celeris, the brother of Pegasus. Yet another myth says that Equuleus is a sea horse, who came into being when Neptune and Athena were having a contest showcasing their powers. In this story, Equuleus was born from Neptune’s trident.

Location and stars of Equuleus

Because Equuleus is the child of Pegasus, they are located next to one another in the night sky. Pegasus is easy to find if you remember its asterism, the Great Square of Pegasus. Then look between the Great Square and the Summer Triangle to find Equuleus. Another way to find Equuleus is to look under the shape of the leaping dolphin in the constellation Delphinus.

Equuleus is the smallest of all the constellations in the Northern Hemisphere (only Crux, in the Southern Hemisphere, is smaller than Equuleus). It is less than 13 degrees wide at its widest point. Its brightest star is a magnitude 3.92 star known as Alpha Equulei, or Kitalpha. And it lies 186 light-years away.

A few other stars in the constellation also have Greek letter designations. Two and a half degrees from Alpha Equulei is Beta Equulei, a magnitude 5.16 star located 360 light-years away. Less than five degrees from Alpha Equulei are two stars in close proximity. The magnitude 4.47 Delta Equulei lies one degree from Gamma Equulei, a magnitude 4.7 star. Delta Equulei is closer at a distance of 60 light-years, while Gamma Equulei lies 115 light-years away. Lastly, the magnitude 5.24 star Epsilon Equulei lies in the western corner of the constellation. Epsilon Equulei is 197 light-years away.

The constellation of Equuleus the Little Horse. Image via IAU/ Sky and Telescope.

Equuleus’ deep-sky objects

Equuleus’ tiny size away from the plane of our Milky Way means it misses out on nebulae, clusters and other good deep-sky observing targets. There are no Messier objects in Equuleus. And you’ll need a hefty telescope to see any of the galaxies here. They’re better targets for a night at the observatory.

Near the center of the constellation is the spiral galaxy NGC 7040 at a magnitude of 15. Less than two degrees away from Gamma Equulei is another spiral galaxy, NGC 7015, with a magnitude of 13. Finally, the barred spiral galaxy NGC 7046 lies in the southern portion of the constellation near some other, even dimmer galaxies. NGC 7046 has a magnitude of 14.

Bottom line: Equuleus the Little Horse is a diminutive constellation that lies south of the Summer Triangle. September nights are a great time to view the Little Horse.

The post Equuleus the Little Horse on autumn nights first appeared on EarthSky.

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Climate Overshoot: Accumulated Effects Persist After Temperatures Fall

Climate Overshoot: Accumulated Effects Persist After Temperatures Fall

You can run your car engine at high RPMs without much lasting issue but the atmosphere is a lot trickier. It may seem that temporary overshoots of warming targets are okay but getting back down below 2 degrees Celcius won't undo the effects that occur in permafrost and oceans, according to a new paper using Earth System Climate Model to compare 42 pairs of climate scenarios and estimate what might occur.

In each model pair, one scenario temporarily exceeded its warming pathway before returning to it, while the other stayed below the threshold. 

Overshoot was measured using “degree-years” which combined how much global temperatures exceed a target and how long they remained above it. The scholars found that degree-years were a strong predictor of lasting changes in several climate variables but some variables were found to be much more susceptible to warming than others. 

For example, permafrost experienced almost no recovery of its lost carbon when higher temperatures returned to their baseline levels. Also persisting after overshoot were changes to sea-level rise, ocean warming and ocean oxygen levels. 

The authors say that the peak level of warming alone does not tell the whole story and policy makers also need to factor in the length of time spent above a target to consider how much lasting change will remain. Therefore, climate goals should not be viewed simply as a temperature level that might get worse before it gets better - like if we eventually adopt green energy that works, such as nuclear - and things will be fine after temperature thresholds are exceeded and settle back. How long we stay at those temperatures matters and factoring in the accumulated effects of overshoot is necessary to better assess climate risks and adaptation measures.

Citation: Dickau, M., Zickfeld, K. & Matthews, H.D. Irreversible climate changes driven by degree-years of temperature overshoot. Commun Earth Environ (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-026-03761-z

sb admin Mon, 09/28/2026 - 11:16

Categories

Environment

from ScienceBlogs - Where the world discusses science https://ift.tt/ISaXxQO

Climate Overshoot: Accumulated Effects Persist After Temperatures Fall

You can run your car engine at high RPMs without much lasting issue but the atmosphere is a lot trickier. It may seem that temporary overshoots of warming targets are okay but getting back down below 2 degrees Celcius won't undo the effects that occur in permafrost and oceans, according to a new paper using Earth System Climate Model to compare 42 pairs of climate scenarios and estimate what might occur.

In each model pair, one scenario temporarily exceeded its warming pathway before returning to it, while the other stayed below the threshold. 

Overshoot was measured using “degree-years” which combined how much global temperatures exceed a target and how long they remained above it. The scholars found that degree-years were a strong predictor of lasting changes in several climate variables but some variables were found to be much more susceptible to warming than others. 

For example, permafrost experienced almost no recovery of its lost carbon when higher temperatures returned to their baseline levels. Also persisting after overshoot were changes to sea-level rise, ocean warming and ocean oxygen levels. 

The authors say that the peak level of warming alone does not tell the whole story and policy makers also need to factor in the length of time spent above a target to consider how much lasting change will remain. Therefore, climate goals should not be viewed simply as a temperature level that might get worse before it gets better - like if we eventually adopt green energy that works, such as nuclear - and things will be fine after temperature thresholds are exceeded and settle back. How long we stay at those temperatures matters and factoring in the accumulated effects of overshoot is necessary to better assess climate risks and adaptation measures.

Citation: Dickau, M., Zickfeld, K. & Matthews, H.D. Irreversible climate changes driven by degree-years of temperature overshoot. Commun Earth Environ (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-026-03761-z

sb admin Mon, 09/28/2026 - 11:16

Categories

Environment

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The Komodo dragon is the world’s largest living lizard

More than 10 feet (3 meters) of muscle, armor, claws and serrated teeth … Now that’s a lizard! Image via Mikhaël Noury/ Pexels.

Let me introduce you to the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard in the world. It can detect food from miles away, hunt large mammals, swim between islands and even produce offspring without a male. Impressive, right? Looking at its size, claws, teeth and prehistoric appearance, the name “dragon” seems pretty fitting.

Growing to more than 10 feet (3 meters) in length, with serrated teeth and venom glands, this reptile is the top land predator on the handful of Indonesian islands where it lives. Are you ready to venture into its territory and discover more about this extraordinary animal?

King of the lizards

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest living lizard on Earth. The biggest males can exceed 10 feet (3 meters) in length and weigh close to 200 pounds (90 kilograms) in the wild.

Its body is robust and muscular, supported by powerful legs ending in long, curved claws. It uses them to dig burrows, hold onto prey and defend itself. Its tail, which can be almost as long as the rest of its body, helps it keep its balance, defend itself and propel itself through the water.

Its skin is covered in hardened scales that conceal tiny bones called osteoderms. This natural armor provides particular protection to adult dragons.

The giant lizard has around 60 teeth with serrated edges that resemble those of sharks. They work like biological knives, capable of cutting and tearing flesh. Its teeth are also continuously replaced throughout its life.

On either side of its head are external ear openings, equivalent to the outer ears of other animals. However, its most important sense is not hearing, but its highly developed chemical sense of smell.

That tongue isn’t just for tasting — it’s a chemical detector, picking up scents and helping the dragon track down food from miles away. Image via Bob Brewer/ Unsplash.

A forked tongue

When you see a Komodo dragon constantly flicking its tongue, it isn’t threatening you or showing aggression. It’s “smelling.”

Its forked tongue collects chemical particles from the air and carries them to the Jacobson’s organ, located in the roof of its mouth. The two tips of the tongue can gather information from either side independently, helping the dragon determine where a scent is coming from and follow its trail. Thanks to this system, it can locate food several miles away when conditions are favorable.

In other words, a Komodo dragon doesn’t need to see its prey to find it: it can follow its chemical trail until it reaches it.

Powerful claws, a tongue that can track a scent and venom glands — all packed into one giant lizard. Image via David Clode/ Unsplash.

A bite with a twist

Komodo dragons are predators capable of taking down animals much larger than themselves, including deer, wild boar and water buffalo.

Once it gets a bite on its prey, its serrated teeth sink into the flesh. It then pulls backward with its head and neck, using its body weight to make its teeth slice through the tissue and tear away large chunks of flesh. It doesn’t need an exceptionally powerful bite: it is the combination of its teeth, powerful neck and that pulling motion that makes its bite so effective.

And it has another weapon. Komodo dragons have venom glands in their lower jaws. Their venom promotes bleeding and interferes with blood clotting, allowing the prey to lose blood and weaken rapidly.

Serrated teeth, a powerful neck and an impressive feeding technique allow this giant lizard to tackle surprisingly large prey. Image via Rasmus Gundorff Saederup/ Unsplash.

Nothing goes to waste

Although they are formidable hunters, they never pass up an opportunity for a meal. Carrion can make up a significant part of their diet, and when they find a carcass, they make use of almost everything, including bones that other animals would leave behind.

Their diet is remarkably varied. They can eat large mammals, birds, eggs, other reptiles and even other Komodo dragons! Yes, really …

Nothing is off the menu … even other Komodo dragons. Image via Dennis Schmidt/ Unsplash.

A very different childhood

Being born a Komodo dragon doesn’t guarantee a long life. Although they can live for more than 30 years, the first few years of life are particularly challenging.

Young dragons spend much of their early lives taking refuge in trees. This offers them some protection from adults, which practice cannibalism and will readily eat smaller individuals when the opportunity arises.

This constant threat forces young dragons to live very differently from adults. While adults roam the ground, young dragons remain among the branches, feeding on smaller prey and keeping out of the adults’ reach.

For a young Komodo dragon, the safest place is up in the trees — far from hungry adults. Image via Timon Cornelissen/ Pexels.

Island navigators

At first glance, an animal this heavy doesn’t exactly look like a great swimmer. Yet Komodo dragons can travel through the sea and cross short stretches of water between islands.

The tail provides much of the propulsion, while the feet, whose toes are partially joined by webbing, help with maneuvering in the water. This ability is particularly important in an archipelago where populations do not always remain completely isolated.

The occasional movement of individuals between islands promotes genetic exchange and reduces some of the risks associated with small, isolated populations.

Watch a Komodo dragon swim.

A reptile full of surprises

Like all reptiles, Komodo dragons are ectothermic: they rely on heat from their surroundings to regulate their body temperature. As a result, they alternate between periods of activity and periods of resting in the sun or shade.

Interestingly, they grow slowly and reach sexual maturity relatively late, usually between eight and ten years of age.

But perhaps the most surprising feature is their ability to reproduce through parthenogenesis. Like most animals, Komodo dragons normally reproduce sexually. However, females can also produce viable eggs without being fertilized by a male.

This ability was discovered in zoos when isolated females produced offspring despite having had no contact with males. For a species spread across several islands, this strategy could be useful if a female reached a new territory on her own and could not find a mate.

But parthenogenesis comes with a trade-off: the offspring produced this way are always male. That means these males would have to mate with their mother to continue the family line, unless they came across other unrelated Komodo dragons.

So while this ability could give a lone female a remarkable advantage in establishing a population in a new territory, it could also limit genetic diversity in that population, which can be harmful.

No male? No problem. A female Komodo dragon can produce offspring on her own. Image via Dimitri Dim/ Pexels.

Busting myths

There are many misconceptions surrounding the Komodo dragon. Let’s bust some myths!

“They kill with the bacteria in their saliva.”
Their saliva does contain bacteria, but the current scientific understanding considers the venom and the wounds caused by the bite to play the main role in their hunting.

“They have the strongest bite of any animal.”
Despite their size and powerful jaws, their hunting success does not depend on exceptional bite force.

“They change color like chameleons.”
There is no solid evidence that Komodo dragons deliberately change color according to the season, their surroundings, or their mood. There is, however, natural variation in coloration between individuals and populations.

“They hunt in packs.”
They are normally solitary animals. When several individuals gather together, it is usually because there is carrion or another abundant food source.

“They became giant because they live on islands.”
The Komodo dragon does live on islands, but its enormous size did not suddenly appear when its ancestors became isolated. Its ancestors already belonged to a group of large lizards. During its evolution, island isolation may have favored the maintenance and even the increase of that size. As it became one of the main terrestrial predators in its ecosystem, a large body allowed it to tackle larger prey and compete more successfully for resources. Today, the Komodo dragon is the largest lizard on Earth.

There’s more to this giant lizard than meets the eye. Its strangest tricks are hidden beneath that prehistoric appearance. Image via M. Rosyadi Aulawi/ Unsplash.

The dragon of Indonesia

The Komodo dragon is naturally found on only a handful of Indonesian islands, including Komodo, Rinca, Flores and Gili Motang.

Habitat loss, declining prey populations and the effects of climate change pose significant challenges to its future survival.

This impressive animal is one of Indonesia’s greatest natural symbols and an emblem of an archipelago that’s home to some of the most extraordinary species on the planet.

For thousands of years, these islands have provided the Komodo dragon with the conditions it needs to survive. The challenge now is to preserve that balance so it can continue to do so for many years to come.

For all its size, the Komodo dragon has an incredibly small home range: just a handful of islands in Indonesia. There is nowhere else on Earth where you can find a giant lizard quite like this one. Image via Jeffry Surianto/ Pexels.

Bottom line: The Komodo dragon is the world’s largest lizard. It’s a venomous predator that can hunt, swim between islands and reproduce without a mate.

Read more: Colorful iguanas are our lifeform of the week

Read more: The shoebill stork is our fierce lifeform of the week

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More than 10 feet (3 meters) of muscle, armor, claws and serrated teeth … Now that’s a lizard! Image via Mikhaël Noury/ Pexels.

Let me introduce you to the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard in the world. It can detect food from miles away, hunt large mammals, swim between islands and even produce offspring without a male. Impressive, right? Looking at its size, claws, teeth and prehistoric appearance, the name “dragon” seems pretty fitting.

Growing to more than 10 feet (3 meters) in length, with serrated teeth and venom glands, this reptile is the top land predator on the handful of Indonesian islands where it lives. Are you ready to venture into its territory and discover more about this extraordinary animal?

King of the lizards

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest living lizard on Earth. The biggest males can exceed 10 feet (3 meters) in length and weigh close to 200 pounds (90 kilograms) in the wild.

Its body is robust and muscular, supported by powerful legs ending in long, curved claws. It uses them to dig burrows, hold onto prey and defend itself. Its tail, which can be almost as long as the rest of its body, helps it keep its balance, defend itself and propel itself through the water.

Its skin is covered in hardened scales that conceal tiny bones called osteoderms. This natural armor provides particular protection to adult dragons.

The giant lizard has around 60 teeth with serrated edges that resemble those of sharks. They work like biological knives, capable of cutting and tearing flesh. Its teeth are also continuously replaced throughout its life.

On either side of its head are external ear openings, equivalent to the outer ears of other animals. However, its most important sense is not hearing, but its highly developed chemical sense of smell.

That tongue isn’t just for tasting — it’s a chemical detector, picking up scents and helping the dragon track down food from miles away. Image via Bob Brewer/ Unsplash.

A forked tongue

When you see a Komodo dragon constantly flicking its tongue, it isn’t threatening you or showing aggression. It’s “smelling.”

Its forked tongue collects chemical particles from the air and carries them to the Jacobson’s organ, located in the roof of its mouth. The two tips of the tongue can gather information from either side independently, helping the dragon determine where a scent is coming from and follow its trail. Thanks to this system, it can locate food several miles away when conditions are favorable.

In other words, a Komodo dragon doesn’t need to see its prey to find it: it can follow its chemical trail until it reaches it.

Powerful claws, a tongue that can track a scent and venom glands — all packed into one giant lizard. Image via David Clode/ Unsplash.

A bite with a twist

Komodo dragons are predators capable of taking down animals much larger than themselves, including deer, wild boar and water buffalo.

Once it gets a bite on its prey, its serrated teeth sink into the flesh. It then pulls backward with its head and neck, using its body weight to make its teeth slice through the tissue and tear away large chunks of flesh. It doesn’t need an exceptionally powerful bite: it is the combination of its teeth, powerful neck and that pulling motion that makes its bite so effective.

And it has another weapon. Komodo dragons have venom glands in their lower jaws. Their venom promotes bleeding and interferes with blood clotting, allowing the prey to lose blood and weaken rapidly.

Serrated teeth, a powerful neck and an impressive feeding technique allow this giant lizard to tackle surprisingly large prey. Image via Rasmus Gundorff Saederup/ Unsplash.

Nothing goes to waste

Although they are formidable hunters, they never pass up an opportunity for a meal. Carrion can make up a significant part of their diet, and when they find a carcass, they make use of almost everything, including bones that other animals would leave behind.

Their diet is remarkably varied. They can eat large mammals, birds, eggs, other reptiles and even other Komodo dragons! Yes, really …

Nothing is off the menu … even other Komodo dragons. Image via Dennis Schmidt/ Unsplash.

A very different childhood

Being born a Komodo dragon doesn’t guarantee a long life. Although they can live for more than 30 years, the first few years of life are particularly challenging.

Young dragons spend much of their early lives taking refuge in trees. This offers them some protection from adults, which practice cannibalism and will readily eat smaller individuals when the opportunity arises.

This constant threat forces young dragons to live very differently from adults. While adults roam the ground, young dragons remain among the branches, feeding on smaller prey and keeping out of the adults’ reach.

For a young Komodo dragon, the safest place is up in the trees — far from hungry adults. Image via Timon Cornelissen/ Pexels.

Island navigators

At first glance, an animal this heavy doesn’t exactly look like a great swimmer. Yet Komodo dragons can travel through the sea and cross short stretches of water between islands.

The tail provides much of the propulsion, while the feet, whose toes are partially joined by webbing, help with maneuvering in the water. This ability is particularly important in an archipelago where populations do not always remain completely isolated.

The occasional movement of individuals between islands promotes genetic exchange and reduces some of the risks associated with small, isolated populations.

Watch a Komodo dragon swim.

A reptile full of surprises

Like all reptiles, Komodo dragons are ectothermic: they rely on heat from their surroundings to regulate their body temperature. As a result, they alternate between periods of activity and periods of resting in the sun or shade.

Interestingly, they grow slowly and reach sexual maturity relatively late, usually between eight and ten years of age.

But perhaps the most surprising feature is their ability to reproduce through parthenogenesis. Like most animals, Komodo dragons normally reproduce sexually. However, females can also produce viable eggs without being fertilized by a male.

This ability was discovered in zoos when isolated females produced offspring despite having had no contact with males. For a species spread across several islands, this strategy could be useful if a female reached a new territory on her own and could not find a mate.

But parthenogenesis comes with a trade-off: the offspring produced this way are always male. That means these males would have to mate with their mother to continue the family line, unless they came across other unrelated Komodo dragons.

So while this ability could give a lone female a remarkable advantage in establishing a population in a new territory, it could also limit genetic diversity in that population, which can be harmful.

No male? No problem. A female Komodo dragon can produce offspring on her own. Image via Dimitri Dim/ Pexels.

Busting myths

There are many misconceptions surrounding the Komodo dragon. Let’s bust some myths!

“They kill with the bacteria in their saliva.”
Their saliva does contain bacteria, but the current scientific understanding considers the venom and the wounds caused by the bite to play the main role in their hunting.

“They have the strongest bite of any animal.”
Despite their size and powerful jaws, their hunting success does not depend on exceptional bite force.

“They change color like chameleons.”
There is no solid evidence that Komodo dragons deliberately change color according to the season, their surroundings, or their mood. There is, however, natural variation in coloration between individuals and populations.

“They hunt in packs.”
They are normally solitary animals. When several individuals gather together, it is usually because there is carrion or another abundant food source.

“They became giant because they live on islands.”
The Komodo dragon does live on islands, but its enormous size did not suddenly appear when its ancestors became isolated. Its ancestors already belonged to a group of large lizards. During its evolution, island isolation may have favored the maintenance and even the increase of that size. As it became one of the main terrestrial predators in its ecosystem, a large body allowed it to tackle larger prey and compete more successfully for resources. Today, the Komodo dragon is the largest lizard on Earth.

There’s more to this giant lizard than meets the eye. Its strangest tricks are hidden beneath that prehistoric appearance. Image via M. Rosyadi Aulawi/ Unsplash.

The dragon of Indonesia

The Komodo dragon is naturally found on only a handful of Indonesian islands, including Komodo, Rinca, Flores and Gili Motang.

Habitat loss, declining prey populations and the effects of climate change pose significant challenges to its future survival.

This impressive animal is one of Indonesia’s greatest natural symbols and an emblem of an archipelago that’s home to some of the most extraordinary species on the planet.

For thousands of years, these islands have provided the Komodo dragon with the conditions it needs to survive. The challenge now is to preserve that balance so it can continue to do so for many years to come.

For all its size, the Komodo dragon has an incredibly small home range: just a handful of islands in Indonesia. There is nowhere else on Earth where you can find a giant lizard quite like this one. Image via Jeffry Surianto/ Pexels.

Bottom line: The Komodo dragon is the world’s largest lizard. It’s a venomous predator that can hunt, swim between islands and reproduce without a mate.

Read more: Colorful iguanas are our lifeform of the week

Read more: The shoebill stork is our fierce lifeform of the week

The post The Komodo dragon is the world’s largest living lizard first appeared on EarthSky.

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The September full Moon is the Harvest Moon near Saturn

What is a Harvest Moon? Plus, how can you see this 2026 Harvest Moon near Saturn? EarthSky’s Deborah Byrd has more. Watch in the player above or on YouTube.

When and where to look in 2026: Look for the bright, round full moon climbing in the east at sunset on September 26, glowing in the south near midnight, and dropping low in the west just before sunrise on September 27. It’s the full moon closest to the equinox: the Harvest Moon.
Crest of the full moon will fall at 16:49 UTC on September 26. That’s 11:49 a.m. CDT.

The 2026 Harvest Moon will lie near golden Saturn. Saturn’s opposition – when it will be opposite the sun from Earth – will fall on October 4. A full moon is always opposite the sun. And Saturn is near opposition, but still generally opposite the sun now, too. So it makes sense that this full moon and Saturn are close together. Check Stellarium.org for a precise view from your location.

The bright September full moon – the Harvest Moon, or full moon closest to the autumn equinox – will float near Saturn in the sky around the nights of September 24 to 28. Chart via EarthSky.

What’s a Harvest Moon?

Harvest Moon isn’t just a name. It denotes a time of year when the full moon – as seen from the Northern Hemisphere – has special characteristics.

We in the Northern Hemisphere have long called the full moon closest to the September equinox by the name Harvest Moon. That name – Harvest Moon – might be the best known full moon name of the year. This year, the September equinox occurs at 0:05 UTC on September 23, 2026. That’s 9:05 p.m. CDT on September 22. The full moon falls about three days later.

At full moon, the sun, Earth and moon are aligned with Earth in the middle. The moon’s day side – its fully lighted hemisphere – directly faces us. Chart via EarthSky.

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Marsha Chan in Los Angeles, California, captured this celestial trifecta – of the Harvest Moon, a supermoon and a partial lunar eclipse – on September 17, 2024. Thank you, Marsha!

How did the Harvest Moon get its name?

The shorter-than-usual lag time between moonrises around the full Harvest Moon means no long period of darkness between sunset and moonrise for days in succession.

The difference between 50 minutes and 25 minutes might not seem like much. But it means that, in the nights after a full Harvest Moon, you’ll see the moon ascending in the east relatively soon after sunset. The moon will rise during or near deepening twilight on these nights, presenting dusk-till-dawn moonlight for several nights in a row around the time of the Harvest Moon.

In the days before tractor lights, the lamp of the Harvest Moon helped farmers gather their crops despite the diminishing daylight hours. As the sun’s light faded in the west, the moon would soon rise in the east to illuminate the fields throughout the night.

Who named the Harvest Moon? That name probably sprang to the lips of farmers throughout the Northern Hemisphere, on autumn evenings, as the Harvest Moon aided in bringing in the crops.

By the way, for very high northern latitudes, there’s even less time between successive moonrises. The farther north you live, the greater the Harvest Moon effect. For instance, at Anchorage, Alaska (61 degrees north latitude), the moon will rise at nearly the same time for a week!

Is the Harvest Moon bigger, brighter or more colorful?

Because the moon’s orbit around Earth isn’t a perfect circle, the Harvest Moon’s distance from Earth – and apparent size in our sky – differs from year to year. In 2019, the Harvest Moon was actually a micromoon or mini-moon: the most distant and smallest full moon of that year. And – in 2015 – the Harvest Moon was the year’s closest and biggest supermoon of the year.

In 2024, the Harvest Moon was a full supermoon, but not the closest supermoon for the year. There was also a partial lunar eclipse.

So, the full Harvest Moon isn’t necessarily closer than any other full moon. But it might be. The moon’s distance at full moon varies from year to year.

It looks bigger, but isn’t

Still, in any year, you might think the Harvest Moon looks bigger, brighter or more orange. That’s because the Harvest Moon has such a powerful mystique. Many people look for it shortly after sunset around the time of full moon. After sunset around the time of any full moon, the moon will always be near the horizon. It’ll have just risen. It’s the location of the moon near the horizon that causes the Harvest Moon – or any full moon – to look big and orange in color.

A big moon seen near the horizon presents you with a psychological effect. It’s a trick your eyes are playing – an illusion – called the moon illusion. You can find many lengthy explanations of the moon illusion by doing an online search for those words.

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Kannan A captured this image on September 21, 2021, and wrote: “The Harvest Moon seen in Singapore about 1 hour after it had risen from the east. Cropped the picture to show the upper section of the moon. The moon was very bright and coincided with the Mooncake or Lantern Festival in Singapore. The moon maria were clearly visible, from the top Mare Crisium, to the bottom. Beginning from the left of this photo is Mare Imbrium, Mare Serenitatis (Apollo 17 landing site), Mare Tranquillitatis (Apollo 11 landing site) and Mare Fecunditatis.” Thank you, Kannan A!

Orange color due to thickness of Earth’s atmosphere near horizon

By the way, the orange color of a moon near the horizon isn’t a psychological effect. It’s a true physical effect, which stems from the fact that – when you look toward a horizon – you’re looking through a greater thickness of Earth’s atmosphere than when you gaze up and overhead.

Read more: What makes oddly shaped suns and moons on the horizon?

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Kent Kirkley of Dallas, Texas, captured this image on September 9, 2022, and wrote: “September Harvest Full Moon rise.” Thank you, Kent!

September full moon lies in Pisces and near Saturn

The September Harvest full moon always lies in front of one of three constellations of the zodiac. Most years, it lies in Pisces the Fish, as it does this year. About every three years, though, it’ll lie in Aquarius the Water Bearer. Very infrequently – once about every 20 years – it’ll fall in the less-familiar constellation lying to their south, Cetus the Whale.

The September 2026 full moon occurs on the overnight of September 26 and lies in the constellation Pisces. Chart via EarthSky.

September full moon and the ecliptic

Why? It’s because the ecliptic – or path of the sun, moon and planets across our sky – makes a narrow angle with the eastern horizon near sunset, around the time of the autumn equinox. For Northern Hemisphere observers, that means September or October. For Southern Hemisphere observers, it means March or April. The narrow angle of the ecliptic to the evening horizon – around the time of the autumn equinox – gives us the short interval between successive moonrises and the Harvest Moon.

Visit Sunrise Sunset Calendars for a printable calendar showing the time of moonrise for your location

And a short interval between successive moonrises means that – for several evenings in a row, around the time of this September full moon – you’ll find a full or nearly full-looking moon low in the east in evening twilight. Before the days of electric lights, the early evening light of this full moon let farmers working in the fields have more time to work, before darkness settled. Hence the name Harvest Moon.

And, by the way, for the Southern Hemisphere at this full moon, there’s a particularly long interval between successive moonrises!

Bottom line: The September Harvest Full Moon happens on September 26, 2026. This full moon lies in front of the constellation Pisces. And it lies near the golden planet Saturn.

The post The September full Moon is the Harvest Moon near Saturn first appeared on EarthSky.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/EoBL9K3

What is a Harvest Moon? Plus, how can you see this 2026 Harvest Moon near Saturn? EarthSky’s Deborah Byrd has more. Watch in the player above or on YouTube.

When and where to look in 2026: Look for the bright, round full moon climbing in the east at sunset on September 26, glowing in the south near midnight, and dropping low in the west just before sunrise on September 27. It’s the full moon closest to the equinox: the Harvest Moon.
Crest of the full moon will fall at 16:49 UTC on September 26. That’s 11:49 a.m. CDT.

The 2026 Harvest Moon will lie near golden Saturn. Saturn’s opposition – when it will be opposite the sun from Earth – will fall on October 4. A full moon is always opposite the sun. And Saturn is near opposition, but still generally opposite the sun now, too. So it makes sense that this full moon and Saturn are close together. Check Stellarium.org for a precise view from your location.

The bright September full moon – the Harvest Moon, or full moon closest to the autumn equinox – will float near Saturn in the sky around the nights of September 24 to 28. Chart via EarthSky.

What’s a Harvest Moon?

Harvest Moon isn’t just a name. It denotes a time of year when the full moon – as seen from the Northern Hemisphere – has special characteristics.

We in the Northern Hemisphere have long called the full moon closest to the September equinox by the name Harvest Moon. That name – Harvest Moon – might be the best known full moon name of the year. This year, the September equinox occurs at 0:05 UTC on September 23, 2026. That’s 9:05 p.m. CDT on September 22. The full moon falls about three days later.

At full moon, the sun, Earth and moon are aligned with Earth in the middle. The moon’s day side – its fully lighted hemisphere – directly faces us. Chart via EarthSky.

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Marsha Chan in Los Angeles, California, captured this celestial trifecta – of the Harvest Moon, a supermoon and a partial lunar eclipse – on September 17, 2024. Thank you, Marsha!

How did the Harvest Moon get its name?

The shorter-than-usual lag time between moonrises around the full Harvest Moon means no long period of darkness between sunset and moonrise for days in succession.

The difference between 50 minutes and 25 minutes might not seem like much. But it means that, in the nights after a full Harvest Moon, you’ll see the moon ascending in the east relatively soon after sunset. The moon will rise during or near deepening twilight on these nights, presenting dusk-till-dawn moonlight for several nights in a row around the time of the Harvest Moon.

In the days before tractor lights, the lamp of the Harvest Moon helped farmers gather their crops despite the diminishing daylight hours. As the sun’s light faded in the west, the moon would soon rise in the east to illuminate the fields throughout the night.

Who named the Harvest Moon? That name probably sprang to the lips of farmers throughout the Northern Hemisphere, on autumn evenings, as the Harvest Moon aided in bringing in the crops.

By the way, for very high northern latitudes, there’s even less time between successive moonrises. The farther north you live, the greater the Harvest Moon effect. For instance, at Anchorage, Alaska (61 degrees north latitude), the moon will rise at nearly the same time for a week!

Is the Harvest Moon bigger, brighter or more colorful?

Because the moon’s orbit around Earth isn’t a perfect circle, the Harvest Moon’s distance from Earth – and apparent size in our sky – differs from year to year. In 2019, the Harvest Moon was actually a micromoon or mini-moon: the most distant and smallest full moon of that year. And – in 2015 – the Harvest Moon was the year’s closest and biggest supermoon of the year.

In 2024, the Harvest Moon was a full supermoon, but not the closest supermoon for the year. There was also a partial lunar eclipse.

So, the full Harvest Moon isn’t necessarily closer than any other full moon. But it might be. The moon’s distance at full moon varies from year to year.

It looks bigger, but isn’t

Still, in any year, you might think the Harvest Moon looks bigger, brighter or more orange. That’s because the Harvest Moon has such a powerful mystique. Many people look for it shortly after sunset around the time of full moon. After sunset around the time of any full moon, the moon will always be near the horizon. It’ll have just risen. It’s the location of the moon near the horizon that causes the Harvest Moon – or any full moon – to look big and orange in color.

A big moon seen near the horizon presents you with a psychological effect. It’s a trick your eyes are playing – an illusion – called the moon illusion. You can find many lengthy explanations of the moon illusion by doing an online search for those words.

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Kannan A captured this image on September 21, 2021, and wrote: “The Harvest Moon seen in Singapore about 1 hour after it had risen from the east. Cropped the picture to show the upper section of the moon. The moon was very bright and coincided with the Mooncake or Lantern Festival in Singapore. The moon maria were clearly visible, from the top Mare Crisium, to the bottom. Beginning from the left of this photo is Mare Imbrium, Mare Serenitatis (Apollo 17 landing site), Mare Tranquillitatis (Apollo 11 landing site) and Mare Fecunditatis.” Thank you, Kannan A!

Orange color due to thickness of Earth’s atmosphere near horizon

By the way, the orange color of a moon near the horizon isn’t a psychological effect. It’s a true physical effect, which stems from the fact that – when you look toward a horizon – you’re looking through a greater thickness of Earth’s atmosphere than when you gaze up and overhead.

Read more: What makes oddly shaped suns and moons on the horizon?

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Kent Kirkley of Dallas, Texas, captured this image on September 9, 2022, and wrote: “September Harvest Full Moon rise.” Thank you, Kent!

September full moon lies in Pisces and near Saturn

The September Harvest full moon always lies in front of one of three constellations of the zodiac. Most years, it lies in Pisces the Fish, as it does this year. About every three years, though, it’ll lie in Aquarius the Water Bearer. Very infrequently – once about every 20 years – it’ll fall in the less-familiar constellation lying to their south, Cetus the Whale.

The September 2026 full moon occurs on the overnight of September 26 and lies in the constellation Pisces. Chart via EarthSky.

September full moon and the ecliptic

Why? It’s because the ecliptic – or path of the sun, moon and planets across our sky – makes a narrow angle with the eastern horizon near sunset, around the time of the autumn equinox. For Northern Hemisphere observers, that means September or October. For Southern Hemisphere observers, it means March or April. The narrow angle of the ecliptic to the evening horizon – around the time of the autumn equinox – gives us the short interval between successive moonrises and the Harvest Moon.

Visit Sunrise Sunset Calendars for a printable calendar showing the time of moonrise for your location

And a short interval between successive moonrises means that – for several evenings in a row, around the time of this September full moon – you’ll find a full or nearly full-looking moon low in the east in evening twilight. Before the days of electric lights, the early evening light of this full moon let farmers working in the fields have more time to work, before darkness settled. Hence the name Harvest Moon.

And, by the way, for the Southern Hemisphere at this full moon, there’s a particularly long interval between successive moonrises!

Bottom line: The September Harvest Full Moon happens on September 26, 2026. This full moon lies in front of the constellation Pisces. And it lies near the golden planet Saturn.

The post The September full Moon is the Harvest Moon near Saturn first appeared on EarthSky.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/EoBL9K3

Watch for the daytime moon after sunrise this week

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Our friend Cecille Kennedy captured the waning gibbous moon in the early morning of November 7, 2025, from the Oregon Coast. Cecille wrote: “At moonset … the waning gibbous moon in the western sky with sunrise hues, two days after the full moon.” Thank you, Cecille! Find out more about the daytime moon below.

Watch for the daytime moon

The moon is up in the daytime half of the time. But, because it’s pale against the blue sky, it’s not as noticeable during the day as at night. Still, there are certain windows each month during which the daytime moon is most noticeable.

The coming week presents one of those windows. It’s a good time to watch for a daytime moon in the morning sky. The full Harvest Moon was yesterday (September 26, 2026). So — in the week ahead — you’ll find the moon in a waning gibbous phase, appearing more than half lighted but less than full. Full moons rise at sunset. But waning gibbous moons rise later – and later – on each successive night.

And that means the moon sets later and later now, too. In the days following every full moon, you’ll find the moon setting in the west after sunrise. That makes the mornings following a full moon a good time to catch a daytime moon. Watch for it during the coming week, after sunrise, over your western horizon. It’ll appear pale against the blue sky.

Thanks to what’s called the moon illusion, you might notice the daytime moon looking huge when close to the horizon.

When is last quarter moon?

And the moon will continue to wane. The last quarter moon — where the moon presented exactly half of its “day” or illuminated side to Earth — will fall at 13:25 UTC on October 3, 2026. Last quarter moons rise in the middle of the night (no matter where you are on the globe). And they set around midday. Watch for the last quarter moon high in the sky before dawn.

Daytime moon photos from the EarthSky community

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Mandy Daniels captured the waning gibbous moon in daylight on August 5, 2026, in the UK. Thank you, Mandy!

EarthSky’s Marcy Curran captured the waning gibbous moon before it slipped behind some clouds on the morning of September 4, 2026. Thank you, Marcy!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Mandy Daniels captured this image of the 1st quarter moon on February 24, 2026, from the UK. Thank you, Mandy! The 1st quarter moon rises at noon and sets at midnight. So watch for it high in the eastern sky mid-afternoon.

Bottom line: Watch for the beautiful daytime moon this week, a pale orb floating against a blue sky in the morning hours. Look west! You’ll see it!

Submit your recent moon photo to EarthSky here.

Read more: 4 keys to understanding moon phases

The post Watch for the daytime moon after sunrise this week first appeared on EarthSky.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/E4eXtrj

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Our friend Cecille Kennedy captured the waning gibbous moon in the early morning of November 7, 2025, from the Oregon Coast. Cecille wrote: “At moonset … the waning gibbous moon in the western sky with sunrise hues, two days after the full moon.” Thank you, Cecille! Find out more about the daytime moon below.

Watch for the daytime moon

The moon is up in the daytime half of the time. But, because it’s pale against the blue sky, it’s not as noticeable during the day as at night. Still, there are certain windows each month during which the daytime moon is most noticeable.

The coming week presents one of those windows. It’s a good time to watch for a daytime moon in the morning sky. The full Harvest Moon was yesterday (September 26, 2026). So — in the week ahead — you’ll find the moon in a waning gibbous phase, appearing more than half lighted but less than full. Full moons rise at sunset. But waning gibbous moons rise later – and later – on each successive night.

And that means the moon sets later and later now, too. In the days following every full moon, you’ll find the moon setting in the west after sunrise. That makes the mornings following a full moon a good time to catch a daytime moon. Watch for it during the coming week, after sunrise, over your western horizon. It’ll appear pale against the blue sky.

Thanks to what’s called the moon illusion, you might notice the daytime moon looking huge when close to the horizon.

When is last quarter moon?

And the moon will continue to wane. The last quarter moon — where the moon presented exactly half of its “day” or illuminated side to Earth — will fall at 13:25 UTC on October 3, 2026. Last quarter moons rise in the middle of the night (no matter where you are on the globe). And they set around midday. Watch for the last quarter moon high in the sky before dawn.

Daytime moon photos from the EarthSky community

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Mandy Daniels captured the waning gibbous moon in daylight on August 5, 2026, in the UK. Thank you, Mandy!

EarthSky’s Marcy Curran captured the waning gibbous moon before it slipped behind some clouds on the morning of September 4, 2026. Thank you, Marcy!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Mandy Daniels captured this image of the 1st quarter moon on February 24, 2026, from the UK. Thank you, Mandy! The 1st quarter moon rises at noon and sets at midnight. So watch for it high in the eastern sky mid-afternoon.

Bottom line: Watch for the beautiful daytime moon this week, a pale orb floating against a blue sky in the morning hours. Look west! You’ll see it!

Submit your recent moon photo to EarthSky here.

Read more: 4 keys to understanding moon phases

The post Watch for the daytime moon after sunrise this week first appeared on EarthSky.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/E4eXtrj

The Artemis Accords are rules for a new moon era

Here’s astronaut Christina Koch looking back at Earth, out the window of the Orion spacecraft – aka Integrity – on its way to the moon during the Artemis 2 mission. The Artemis Accords — a set of guidelines for the exploration of space, with a focus on the moon — are named after the Artemis program. Image via NASA.

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The Artemis Accords are rules for a new moon era

In 2020, NASA and the U.S. Department of State led an effort to establish guidelines for human expansion into space. Working with international partners, they came up with the Artemis Accords. NASA describes the accords as:

… a common set of principles to enhance the governance of the civil exploration and use of outer space.

As of late September 2026, 74 countries have signed the Artemis Accords. There are some notable exceptions, including Russia and China.

While the rules are for space in general, they are largely focused on humans’ expansion onto the moon. Thus, they are named for NASA’s Artemis program, which currently aims to have humans standing on the moon again in early 2028.

What are the Artemis Accords?

The Artemis Accords are a set of nonbinding principles for how countries should cooperate in space. The accords build on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. NASA focuses on a number of key areas, including:

• peaceful purposes
• transparency
• interoperability
• emergency assistance
• registration of space objects
• release of scientific data
• preserving outer space heritage
• space resources
• deconfliction of space activities
• orbital debris

So, for example, the accords call for protecting historic sites such as the Apollo landing sites. They also support the use of space resources, such as lunar water or asteroid materials, provided those activities comply with international law.

Humanity suddenly has many plans for expanding into space. And it’s not just countries, but private companies with plans as well. So the intention here is to make space safer and more cooperative.

For example, if two nations are operating in the same area of the moon, the accords call for them to share information and coordinate their activities to avoid harmful interference. Temporary safety zones can help accomplish that without claiming ownership of lunar territory.

The accords don’t replace the Outer Space Treaty or create a new international space law. Instead, they just provide a common framework for putting responsible practices into action. As NASA puts it, the goal is a “safe, peaceful and prosperous future in space.”

The Artemis Accords are a set of guidelines for exploration of space with a focus on the moon. NASA named the accords after its Artemis program, which seeks to return people to the moon’s surface and establish a base. Image via NASA.

Questions surrounding the Artemis Accords

There are criticisms and questions surrounding the Artemis Accords. For one, the accords aren’t a binding law but set of agreements. Plus, the Artemis Accords don’t regulate private companies directly. As in, no private companies are signing the accords. Instead, countries sign the accords and are responsible for ensuring that companies operating under their jurisdiction follow the rules.

So, who gets to make the rules for space? The United States is doing much of the steering on the accords. But should it be an international organization, such as the United Nations? The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space is already working on possible international principles governing space-resource activities. Some delegations at the United Nations have argued that developing countries should not be left behind or excluded from the benefits of space exploration.

A second question is on who gets access to valuable lunar resources. How should those resources be governed? The UN discussions have included calls for rules addressing issues such as sustainability, access, benefit sharing and the rights of countries without the ability to conduct space-resource missions themselves.

Finally, there is the idea of safety zones. The accords allow temporary zones around lunar operations to prevent interference. But the Outer Space Treaty says no country can claim sovereignty over the moon or appropriate it through occupation or use. And couldn’t some countries make a temporary zone that eventually functions like a territorial claim?

While some framework for cooperation in space is necessary, it seems hammering out the details will be a debate for years to come.

The Shackleton crater on the moon with an elevation analysis (left) and shaded relief (right). This 12.5-mile-diameter (21-km-diameter) crater near the south pole is in permanent shadow. Image via NASA.

Bottom line: The Artemis Accords are a set guidelines for peaceful space exploration. But questions remain about who makes the rules and controls space resources.

The post The Artemis Accords are rules for a new moon era first appeared on EarthSky.

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Here’s astronaut Christina Koch looking back at Earth, out the window of the Orion spacecraft – aka Integrity – on its way to the moon during the Artemis 2 mission. The Artemis Accords — a set of guidelines for the exploration of space, with a focus on the moon — are named after the Artemis program. Image via NASA.

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The Artemis Accords are rules for a new moon era

In 2020, NASA and the U.S. Department of State led an effort to establish guidelines for human expansion into space. Working with international partners, they came up with the Artemis Accords. NASA describes the accords as:

… a common set of principles to enhance the governance of the civil exploration and use of outer space.

As of late September 2026, 74 countries have signed the Artemis Accords. There are some notable exceptions, including Russia and China.

While the rules are for space in general, they are largely focused on humans’ expansion onto the moon. Thus, they are named for NASA’s Artemis program, which currently aims to have humans standing on the moon again in early 2028.

What are the Artemis Accords?

The Artemis Accords are a set of nonbinding principles for how countries should cooperate in space. The accords build on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. NASA focuses on a number of key areas, including:

• peaceful purposes
• transparency
• interoperability
• emergency assistance
• registration of space objects
• release of scientific data
• preserving outer space heritage
• space resources
• deconfliction of space activities
• orbital debris

So, for example, the accords call for protecting historic sites such as the Apollo landing sites. They also support the use of space resources, such as lunar water or asteroid materials, provided those activities comply with international law.

Humanity suddenly has many plans for expanding into space. And it’s not just countries, but private companies with plans as well. So the intention here is to make space safer and more cooperative.

For example, if two nations are operating in the same area of the moon, the accords call for them to share information and coordinate their activities to avoid harmful interference. Temporary safety zones can help accomplish that without claiming ownership of lunar territory.

The accords don’t replace the Outer Space Treaty or create a new international space law. Instead, they just provide a common framework for putting responsible practices into action. As NASA puts it, the goal is a “safe, peaceful and prosperous future in space.”

The Artemis Accords are a set of guidelines for exploration of space with a focus on the moon. NASA named the accords after its Artemis program, which seeks to return people to the moon’s surface and establish a base. Image via NASA.

Questions surrounding the Artemis Accords

There are criticisms and questions surrounding the Artemis Accords. For one, the accords aren’t a binding law but set of agreements. Plus, the Artemis Accords don’t regulate private companies directly. As in, no private companies are signing the accords. Instead, countries sign the accords and are responsible for ensuring that companies operating under their jurisdiction follow the rules.

So, who gets to make the rules for space? The United States is doing much of the steering on the accords. But should it be an international organization, such as the United Nations? The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space is already working on possible international principles governing space-resource activities. Some delegations at the United Nations have argued that developing countries should not be left behind or excluded from the benefits of space exploration.

A second question is on who gets access to valuable lunar resources. How should those resources be governed? The UN discussions have included calls for rules addressing issues such as sustainability, access, benefit sharing and the rights of countries without the ability to conduct space-resource missions themselves.

Finally, there is the idea of safety zones. The accords allow temporary zones around lunar operations to prevent interference. But the Outer Space Treaty says no country can claim sovereignty over the moon or appropriate it through occupation or use. And couldn’t some countries make a temporary zone that eventually functions like a territorial claim?

While some framework for cooperation in space is necessary, it seems hammering out the details will be a debate for years to come.

The Shackleton crater on the moon with an elevation analysis (left) and shaded relief (right). This 12.5-mile-diameter (21-km-diameter) crater near the south pole is in permanent shadow. Image via NASA.

Bottom line: The Artemis Accords are a set guidelines for peaceful space exploration. But questions remain about who makes the rules and controls space resources.

The post The Artemis Accords are rules for a new moon era first appeared on EarthSky.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/TSx6y9I