Astronomers have found a hidden planet orbiting the star Beta Pictoris. This star, 63 light-years away in the southern constellation Pictor, was already known to have 2 planets. This 3rd planet is now the faintest ever imaged from Earth. Video via ESO.
Beta Pictoris is famous as a star system with planets, comets and asteroids still in the process of forming. It’s a young star system, about 20 million years old, which first came to astronomers’ attention because of the thick debris disk around it. Then, in 2008, astronomers discovered the first planet orbiting Beta Pictoris, followed by a second planet in 2019. And in 2024, astronomers said they found evidence of a giant asteroid collision around the star.
Now, on July 15, 2026, the European Southern Observatory has said that astronomers found a third planet around Beta Pictoris that has been hiding in our images all along.
The team of astronomers found the planet using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile. The planet is named Beta Pictoris d (the first two being named Beta Pictoris b and Beta Pictoris c). The discovery was a surprise to astronomers, who were just trying to take a closer look at Beta Pictoris b. The newly discovered planet is 100 times fainter than Beta Pictoris b. And that makes it the faintest planet ever imaged from Earth.
This was a serendipitous discovery. We initially wanted to look more at a known planet in the system, Beta Pictoris b, to see how it changed over time.
The astronomers published their peer-reviewed paper in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on July 15, 2026.
A surprise at Beta Pictoris
There’s something else there, did you see it?
That was what co-author Markus Bonse of ESO said when he saw the data from Beta Pictoris. But to confirm their “eureka” moment, the team didn’t need to take new observations. Astronomers have already well-documented the Beta Pictoris system. So they simply went back to older images from observatories such as SPHERE and the Webb space telescope. They spotted Beta Pictoris d in images going back 11 years.
Co-author Jayne Birkby of the University of Oxford said:
Planet d, it seems, has been playing a game of hide-and-seek with us for over a decade and only now can we say ‘found you!’
This is the hidden planet (indicated by arrow) around the star Beta Pictoris. The star icon marks the spot where astronomers blocked the star’s light. The larger mass of light at the left is the planet Beta Pictoris b. Another planet, Beta Pictoris c, is too close to the star to see in this image. The background noise in the image is because the star is surrounded by a large disk of material leftover from the formation of its planets. Image via ESO/ B. Sutlieff, M. Bonse et al.
What is the new planet like?
The star system Beta Pictoris lies 63 light-years away in the southern constellation Pictor. The two previously known planets are both gas giant planets with about 10 times the mass of Jupiter.
The new planet, Beta Pictoris d, is also a gas giant. But this planet is only 2.4 times more massive than Jupiter. It’s farther from its home star than planets b and c, and therefore it’s cold and faint.
Directly imaging multiple planets at this star is a big deal. In fact, it’s only the second star system that has had more than two planets directly imaged. The other star system with this honor is HR 8799.
Sutlieff said:
Systems with multiple directly imaged exoplanets are the ‘holy grails’ of discoveries, because they can teach us a lot about what different exoplanets are like in the same formation environment.
The discovery helps solve a mystery at Beta Pictoris. Previously, astronomers had trouble explaining the shape of the debris disk leftover from planets forming around this star. But the new planet has exactly the right mass and position to account for the shape of the debris disk.
What’s next? Perhaps more hidden planets will come to light in other star systems. The researchers think there are likely more planets hiding within archival images.
Bottom line: Astronomers have found a hidden planet orbiting the star Beta Pictoris. This previously unseen world is now the faintest planet ever imaged from Earth.
Astronomers have found a hidden planet orbiting the star Beta Pictoris. This star, 63 light-years away in the southern constellation Pictor, was already known to have 2 planets. This 3rd planet is now the faintest ever imaged from Earth. Video via ESO.
Beta Pictoris is famous as a star system with planets, comets and asteroids still in the process of forming. It’s a young star system, about 20 million years old, which first came to astronomers’ attention because of the thick debris disk around it. Then, in 2008, astronomers discovered the first planet orbiting Beta Pictoris, followed by a second planet in 2019. And in 2024, astronomers said they found evidence of a giant asteroid collision around the star.
Now, on July 15, 2026, the European Southern Observatory has said that astronomers found a third planet around Beta Pictoris that has been hiding in our images all along.
The team of astronomers found the planet using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile. The planet is named Beta Pictoris d (the first two being named Beta Pictoris b and Beta Pictoris c). The discovery was a surprise to astronomers, who were just trying to take a closer look at Beta Pictoris b. The newly discovered planet is 100 times fainter than Beta Pictoris b. And that makes it the faintest planet ever imaged from Earth.
This was a serendipitous discovery. We initially wanted to look more at a known planet in the system, Beta Pictoris b, to see how it changed over time.
The astronomers published their peer-reviewed paper in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on July 15, 2026.
A surprise at Beta Pictoris
There’s something else there, did you see it?
That was what co-author Markus Bonse of ESO said when he saw the data from Beta Pictoris. But to confirm their “eureka” moment, the team didn’t need to take new observations. Astronomers have already well-documented the Beta Pictoris system. So they simply went back to older images from observatories such as SPHERE and the Webb space telescope. They spotted Beta Pictoris d in images going back 11 years.
Co-author Jayne Birkby of the University of Oxford said:
Planet d, it seems, has been playing a game of hide-and-seek with us for over a decade and only now can we say ‘found you!’
This is the hidden planet (indicated by arrow) around the star Beta Pictoris. The star icon marks the spot where astronomers blocked the star’s light. The larger mass of light at the left is the planet Beta Pictoris b. Another planet, Beta Pictoris c, is too close to the star to see in this image. The background noise in the image is because the star is surrounded by a large disk of material leftover from the formation of its planets. Image via ESO/ B. Sutlieff, M. Bonse et al.
What is the new planet like?
The star system Beta Pictoris lies 63 light-years away in the southern constellation Pictor. The two previously known planets are both gas giant planets with about 10 times the mass of Jupiter.
The new planet, Beta Pictoris d, is also a gas giant. But this planet is only 2.4 times more massive than Jupiter. It’s farther from its home star than planets b and c, and therefore it’s cold and faint.
Directly imaging multiple planets at this star is a big deal. In fact, it’s only the second star system that has had more than two planets directly imaged. The other star system with this honor is HR 8799.
Sutlieff said:
Systems with multiple directly imaged exoplanets are the ‘holy grails’ of discoveries, because they can teach us a lot about what different exoplanets are like in the same formation environment.
The discovery helps solve a mystery at Beta Pictoris. Previously, astronomers had trouble explaining the shape of the debris disk leftover from planets forming around this star. But the new planet has exactly the right mass and position to account for the shape of the debris disk.
What’s next? Perhaps more hidden planets will come to light in other star systems. The researchers think there are likely more planets hiding within archival images.
Bottom line: Astronomers have found a hidden planet orbiting the star Beta Pictoris. This previously unseen world is now the faintest planet ever imaged from Earth.
Wildfire smoke from Canada and northern Minnesota flowed eastward on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Skies turned gray and even orange. Forecasters expect smoky skies to continue into the weekend. Image via NOAA/ CIRA.
Wildfire smoke is choking Canada, Great Lakes and Northeast
Canadian wildfires had a slow start in 2026, but now they’re making up for their quiet stretch. According to NOAA:
On July 13, 2026, numerous wildfires exploded in far northern Minnesota and western Ontario, threatening many communities in the state and province. Thick wildfire smoke billowed out from the flames and spread across the skies over North America during the following days. This smoke has caused air quality issues in the United States and Canada, with thick haze enveloping the skies above major cities such as Toronto, Boston and New York City.
There are currently more than 800 wildfires burning across Canada. The smoke started pouring into northern tier states in earnest on Wednesday. Live cams from places such as Mackinac Island in Michigan and Niagara Falls showed areas choking with smoke.
The smoke should become more widespread on Thursday, pushing into northeastern states along with dropping southward. And weather models show the smoke should continue into Friday and Saturday as well.
Air quality forecast map for Thursday, July 16, 2026. Image via EPA/ Airnow.gov.
How is the air near you?
To see what the air quality index, or AQI, is in the United States, you can visit Airnow.gov. On Tuesday night, Marquette, Michigan, had an AQI of 795. Hazardous conditions start at 300. Duluth, Minnesota, had 682.
If you’re in Canada, you can find out your air quality index at IQair.com.
Exposure to wildfire smoke can cause coughing, shortness of breath and asthma attacks. It also can put a strain on your heart. To protect yourself from wildfire smoke, limit your time outdoors. If possible, stay inside with the doors and windows shut. Find more tips here.
The high temperatures are exacerbating the problem for those seeking relief. If you do not have air conditioning and are facing poor air quality, look for a cooling shelter near you.
3/ When wildfire smoke occurs during heatwaves in areas where a portion of the population doesn't have access to air conditioning, people face the dilemma of opening their windows to avoid heatstroke, but searing their lungs with smoke. Smoke + heat can become even deadlier than either alone.
There were scenes on social media of fires threatening people in Canada along with views of gray and orange skies in the U.S. See some of the scenes below.
Wow! This footage shows the view from inside a train as it becomes surrounded by raging wildfire flames near Armstrong, Ontario. Canadian National Railway says the crew all got out safely.
The air in my hometown right now. Ontario has some of the worst air quality in the world due to wildfire smoke. It is unnatural lighting outside at the moment. Stay inside if you can. The air is crunchy and smells like wood smoke. Take care, all.????
Bottom line: Wildfire smoke is pouring across Canada and into the U.S. in the Great Lakes region and northeastern states. These areas will continue to see poor air quality into the weekend.
Wildfire smoke from Canada and northern Minnesota flowed eastward on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Skies turned gray and even orange. Forecasters expect smoky skies to continue into the weekend. Image via NOAA/ CIRA.
Wildfire smoke is choking Canada, Great Lakes and Northeast
Canadian wildfires had a slow start in 2026, but now they’re making up for their quiet stretch. According to NOAA:
On July 13, 2026, numerous wildfires exploded in far northern Minnesota and western Ontario, threatening many communities in the state and province. Thick wildfire smoke billowed out from the flames and spread across the skies over North America during the following days. This smoke has caused air quality issues in the United States and Canada, with thick haze enveloping the skies above major cities such as Toronto, Boston and New York City.
There are currently more than 800 wildfires burning across Canada. The smoke started pouring into northern tier states in earnest on Wednesday. Live cams from places such as Mackinac Island in Michigan and Niagara Falls showed areas choking with smoke.
The smoke should become more widespread on Thursday, pushing into northeastern states along with dropping southward. And weather models show the smoke should continue into Friday and Saturday as well.
Air quality forecast map for Thursday, July 16, 2026. Image via EPA/ Airnow.gov.
How is the air near you?
To see what the air quality index, or AQI, is in the United States, you can visit Airnow.gov. On Tuesday night, Marquette, Michigan, had an AQI of 795. Hazardous conditions start at 300. Duluth, Minnesota, had 682.
If you’re in Canada, you can find out your air quality index at IQair.com.
Exposure to wildfire smoke can cause coughing, shortness of breath and asthma attacks. It also can put a strain on your heart. To protect yourself from wildfire smoke, limit your time outdoors. If possible, stay inside with the doors and windows shut. Find more tips here.
The high temperatures are exacerbating the problem for those seeking relief. If you do not have air conditioning and are facing poor air quality, look for a cooling shelter near you.
3/ When wildfire smoke occurs during heatwaves in areas where a portion of the population doesn't have access to air conditioning, people face the dilemma of opening their windows to avoid heatstroke, but searing their lungs with smoke. Smoke + heat can become even deadlier than either alone.
There were scenes on social media of fires threatening people in Canada along with views of gray and orange skies in the U.S. See some of the scenes below.
Wow! This footage shows the view from inside a train as it becomes surrounded by raging wildfire flames near Armstrong, Ontario. Canadian National Railway says the crew all got out safely.
The air in my hometown right now. Ontario has some of the worst air quality in the world due to wildfire smoke. It is unnatural lighting outside at the moment. Stay inside if you can. The air is crunchy and smells like wood smoke. Take care, all.????
Bottom line: Wildfire smoke is pouring across Canada and into the U.S. in the Great Lakes region and northeastern states. These areas will continue to see poor air quality into the weekend.
In the Northern Hemisphere’s July evening sky, the constellation Hercules is overhead and lies between the bright stars Vega in Lyra and Arcturus in Boötes. A famous globular cluster, known as M13, lies on the Keystone, an asterism in Hercules. Chart via EarthSky.
Hercules is the strong man of ancient Roman mythology. He was a son of Jupiter who had to perform the famous twelve labors. Now, astronomers know Hercules as a constellation high in the northern sky on July evenings in the Northern Hemisphere.
Hercules is home to an asterism known as the Keystone, where you can find what might be the best globular cluster for Northern Hemisphere observers: M13, or the Great Cluster in Hercules.
Also, Hercules is one of the largest of the 88 constellations, ranking fifth in size.
How to find Hercules from the Northern Hemisphere
Hercules lies next to the bright star Vega in the constellation Lyra, which lies high in Northern Hemisphere summer skies.
Specifically, Hercules lies west of Lyra and east of the constellation Boötes with its bright star Arcturus.
But because the stars of Hercules are not particularly bright, it is hard to pick out the constellation. Overall, its most distinctive shape is the asterism of the Keystone near the center of the constellation. Hercules appears somewhat like a pinwheel, with arms of stars emanating outward from this central Keystone shape.
The stars of Hercules the Strongman. Note that the Keystone of Hercules lies between the bright star Vega and Corona Borealis the Northern Crown. Image via International Astronomical Union/ Sky & Telescope/ Wikimedia Commons.
From the Southern Hemisphere, Hercules can be seen low in the northern sky during winter evenings. And although it never climbs as high as it does for Northern Hemisphere observers, it remains a rewarding constellation to seek out, with its distinctive Keystone asterism and the famous Great Cluster in Hercules.
Viewed from the opposite hemisphere, the constellation appears inverted compared to Northern Hemisphere star charts. This reversal makes the Strongman appear to stand upright, with the Keystone forming his torso and his legs extending downward, rather than appearing upside down as he does for observers in the north. His arms stretch upward from the Keystone, with Beta Herculis (Kornephoros) marking one of the highest and brightest stars in the figure.
Hercules reaches its greatest altitude as it crosses the meridian (the invisible line on the sky from north to south) on winter evenings, around July. From Twizel (44 degrees south latitude) in New Zealand’s South Island, Beta Herculis rises to only about 25 degrees above the northern horizon. From Auckland (37 degrees south latitude), the same star reaches around 30 degrees, while observers in Sydney (32 degrees south latitude) see it climb to approximately 35 degrees. The rest of the constellation extends progressively lower, with much of Hercules remaining close to the northern horizon.
Identifying Hercules in dark skies
Even at these modest elevations, Hercules can still be identified under dark skies. The Keystone is a distinctive shape, and binoculars will reveal the faint, misty glow of M13 close to the horizon. Indeed, through a small telescope, the cluster begins to resolve into countless ancient stars, although its low altitude means atmospheric turbulence and haze near the horizon can reduce sharpness and detail compared with the higher views available from the Northern Hemisphere.
But for globular cluster hunters, however, Hercules faces strong competition in the south from some of the sky’s greatest globulars, including 47 Tucanae and Omega Centauri, two of the largest and brightest globular clusters in the Milky Way.
Stars of the Strongman
And even though the stars of Hercules are not particularly bright, the Keystone is obvious in dark skies.
At the opposite corner of the Keystone (and the Keystone star closest to Vega) is the magnitude 3.15 star Pi Herculis. Pi Herculis lies 377 light-years away.
The northernmost Keystone star is magnitude 3.48 Eta Herculis at 112 light-years distant.
Opposite Eta Herculis and the dimmest of the four Keystone stars is magnitude 3.92 Epsilon Herculis. It lies 155 light-years away.
Additionally, the other two semi-bright stars in Hercules form an arm winding off from Zeta Herculis. The star closest to Zeta Herculis is Beta Herculis, or Kornephoros. It lies 139 light-years away with a magnitude 2.81.
And the other bright star lies close to the border with Ophiuchus. It is Alpha Herculis, lying 360 light-years away shining at magnitude 3.48. This star also has the nickname of Rasalgethi. As a matter of fact, Rasalgethi is three stars. The first component is a red giant and the other two form a double star system of a yellow giant and a yellow-white dwarf.
Globular clusters in Hercules
Primarily, the real attractions with the Hercules constellation are its two spectacular globular clusters. Both are Messier objects, easy to find in binoculars and a real treat through a telescope.
The first, M13, lies right on the Keystone (although in actuality it is 25,000 light-years away, much farther than the Keystone stars). M13 is 2/3 of the way on a line that stretches between the stars Zeta Herculis and Eta Herculis. It lies just 2 1/2 degrees from Eta.
The Great Cluster in Hercules shines at magnitude 5.9, meaning it’s possible to see it as a fuzzy patch with your eye alone from dark sites. So when looking at M13, you are looking at the combined light of hundreds of thousands of distant stars.
Another globular cluster in Hercules is M92. M92 makes a triangle with the two northernmost stars in the Keystone. Imagine it as where Hercules’ head would be. M92 lies about 6 1/2 degrees north of Pi Herculis and nearly 8 degrees from Eta Herculis. Shining at magnitude 6.5, M92 lies about 26,000 light-years away. You can marginally see it without optical aid, but it shows up easily in binoculars or a telescope.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Chuck Reinhart captured M92 on May 29, 2024, from Indiana and wrote: “M92 Globular Cluster located in the constellation Hercules. NASA says M92 contains around 330,000 stars and is about 13.8 billion years old.” Thank you, Chuck!
M92 and the celestial pole
Another key point: 14,000 years from now, the Earth will have wobbled on its axis so that M92 is less than one degree from the north celestial pole at that time. (Read more about the precession and which stars will become the North Star over time at The North Star: Does it ever move?)
You can see in the simulation below that the north celestial pole skirts through Hercules in the bottom left corner of the visualization.
Due to Earth's precession, Polaris, Alderamin, Vega, and Thuban take turns being the North Star every 26,000 years. Due to proper motion, even Arcturus took a turn 58,000 years ago.
Bottom line: Hercules the Strongman is a great constellation to view in Northern Hemisphere summer. With only a pair of binoculars you can see the globular cluster M13 in Hercules’ distinctive Keystone.
In the Northern Hemisphere’s July evening sky, the constellation Hercules is overhead and lies between the bright stars Vega in Lyra and Arcturus in Boötes. A famous globular cluster, known as M13, lies on the Keystone, an asterism in Hercules. Chart via EarthSky.
Hercules is the strong man of ancient Roman mythology. He was a son of Jupiter who had to perform the famous twelve labors. Now, astronomers know Hercules as a constellation high in the northern sky on July evenings in the Northern Hemisphere.
Hercules is home to an asterism known as the Keystone, where you can find what might be the best globular cluster for Northern Hemisphere observers: M13, or the Great Cluster in Hercules.
Also, Hercules is one of the largest of the 88 constellations, ranking fifth in size.
How to find Hercules from the Northern Hemisphere
Hercules lies next to the bright star Vega in the constellation Lyra, which lies high in Northern Hemisphere summer skies.
Specifically, Hercules lies west of Lyra and east of the constellation Boötes with its bright star Arcturus.
But because the stars of Hercules are not particularly bright, it is hard to pick out the constellation. Overall, its most distinctive shape is the asterism of the Keystone near the center of the constellation. Hercules appears somewhat like a pinwheel, with arms of stars emanating outward from this central Keystone shape.
The stars of Hercules the Strongman. Note that the Keystone of Hercules lies between the bright star Vega and Corona Borealis the Northern Crown. Image via International Astronomical Union/ Sky & Telescope/ Wikimedia Commons.
From the Southern Hemisphere, Hercules can be seen low in the northern sky during winter evenings. And although it never climbs as high as it does for Northern Hemisphere observers, it remains a rewarding constellation to seek out, with its distinctive Keystone asterism and the famous Great Cluster in Hercules.
Viewed from the opposite hemisphere, the constellation appears inverted compared to Northern Hemisphere star charts. This reversal makes the Strongman appear to stand upright, with the Keystone forming his torso and his legs extending downward, rather than appearing upside down as he does for observers in the north. His arms stretch upward from the Keystone, with Beta Herculis (Kornephoros) marking one of the highest and brightest stars in the figure.
Hercules reaches its greatest altitude as it crosses the meridian (the invisible line on the sky from north to south) on winter evenings, around July. From Twizel (44 degrees south latitude) in New Zealand’s South Island, Beta Herculis rises to only about 25 degrees above the northern horizon. From Auckland (37 degrees south latitude), the same star reaches around 30 degrees, while observers in Sydney (32 degrees south latitude) see it climb to approximately 35 degrees. The rest of the constellation extends progressively lower, with much of Hercules remaining close to the northern horizon.
Identifying Hercules in dark skies
Even at these modest elevations, Hercules can still be identified under dark skies. The Keystone is a distinctive shape, and binoculars will reveal the faint, misty glow of M13 close to the horizon. Indeed, through a small telescope, the cluster begins to resolve into countless ancient stars, although its low altitude means atmospheric turbulence and haze near the horizon can reduce sharpness and detail compared with the higher views available from the Northern Hemisphere.
But for globular cluster hunters, however, Hercules faces strong competition in the south from some of the sky’s greatest globulars, including 47 Tucanae and Omega Centauri, two of the largest and brightest globular clusters in the Milky Way.
Stars of the Strongman
And even though the stars of Hercules are not particularly bright, the Keystone is obvious in dark skies.
At the opposite corner of the Keystone (and the Keystone star closest to Vega) is the magnitude 3.15 star Pi Herculis. Pi Herculis lies 377 light-years away.
The northernmost Keystone star is magnitude 3.48 Eta Herculis at 112 light-years distant.
Opposite Eta Herculis and the dimmest of the four Keystone stars is magnitude 3.92 Epsilon Herculis. It lies 155 light-years away.
Additionally, the other two semi-bright stars in Hercules form an arm winding off from Zeta Herculis. The star closest to Zeta Herculis is Beta Herculis, or Kornephoros. It lies 139 light-years away with a magnitude 2.81.
And the other bright star lies close to the border with Ophiuchus. It is Alpha Herculis, lying 360 light-years away shining at magnitude 3.48. This star also has the nickname of Rasalgethi. As a matter of fact, Rasalgethi is three stars. The first component is a red giant and the other two form a double star system of a yellow giant and a yellow-white dwarf.
Globular clusters in Hercules
Primarily, the real attractions with the Hercules constellation are its two spectacular globular clusters. Both are Messier objects, easy to find in binoculars and a real treat through a telescope.
The first, M13, lies right on the Keystone (although in actuality it is 25,000 light-years away, much farther than the Keystone stars). M13 is 2/3 of the way on a line that stretches between the stars Zeta Herculis and Eta Herculis. It lies just 2 1/2 degrees from Eta.
The Great Cluster in Hercules shines at magnitude 5.9, meaning it’s possible to see it as a fuzzy patch with your eye alone from dark sites. So when looking at M13, you are looking at the combined light of hundreds of thousands of distant stars.
Another globular cluster in Hercules is M92. M92 makes a triangle with the two northernmost stars in the Keystone. Imagine it as where Hercules’ head would be. M92 lies about 6 1/2 degrees north of Pi Herculis and nearly 8 degrees from Eta Herculis. Shining at magnitude 6.5, M92 lies about 26,000 light-years away. You can marginally see it without optical aid, but it shows up easily in binoculars or a telescope.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Chuck Reinhart captured M92 on May 29, 2024, from Indiana and wrote: “M92 Globular Cluster located in the constellation Hercules. NASA says M92 contains around 330,000 stars and is about 13.8 billion years old.” Thank you, Chuck!
M92 and the celestial pole
Another key point: 14,000 years from now, the Earth will have wobbled on its axis so that M92 is less than one degree from the north celestial pole at that time. (Read more about the precession and which stars will become the North Star over time at The North Star: Does it ever move?)
You can see in the simulation below that the north celestial pole skirts through Hercules in the bottom left corner of the visualization.
Due to Earth's precession, Polaris, Alderamin, Vega, and Thuban take turns being the North Star every 26,000 years. Due to proper motion, even Arcturus took a turn 58,000 years ago.
Bottom line: Hercules the Strongman is a great constellation to view in Northern Hemisphere summer. With only a pair of binoculars you can see the globular cluster M13 in Hercules’ distinctive Keystone.
The EarthSky community has many talented astrophotographers who capture stunning images of the deep sky. We gathered some of our favorite deep-sky photos from June 2026 for you to enjoy. Do you have images of your own to share? You can submit them to EarthSky here. We’d love to see them and share them!
Deep-sky photos of diffuse nebulae
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Andy Dungan near Cotopaxi, Colorado, captured this telescopic view of the Lagoon Nebula and its surroundings in Sagittarius, on June 10, 2025. Andy wrote: “Chinese Dragon Nebula (left up), Lagoon Nebula (center), Trifid Nebula (right up) all about 5,000 light-years away. Additionally the Starburst Cluster (NGC 6544) is found in the lower left), 8,000+ light-years away. If you look closely at the Chinese Dragon Nebula you will see a snake like creature winding through the nebula.” Thank you, Andy!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tameem Altameemi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) captured this telescopic view of the Chinese Dragon Nebula on June 14, 2026. Tameem wrote: “My image of the Chinese Dragon Nebula (NGC 6559), captured from the United Arab Emirates. Located in the constellation Sagittarius about 5,000 light-years away, NGC 6559 is a complex star-forming region composed of emission nebulae, reflection nebulae, and dark dust clouds. The interplay between glowing gas, scattered starlight, and obscuring dust creates the dragon-like appearance that inspired its popular nickname. Although often overshadowed by the nearby Lagoon Nebula (M8), NGC 6559 is a fascinating region in its own right, revealing active star formation and intricate interstellar structures within the Milky Way.” Thank you, Tameem!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Steven Bellavia in Livingston Manor, New York, captured this telescopic view of the Blue Horsehead Nebula on June 15, 2026. Steven wrote: “The Blue Horsehead Nebula, IC4592 is a reflection nebula in the constellation of Scorpius that is lit by Nu Scorpii, which is the bright star in the most blue portion. It spans 40 light-years and is 400 light-years from earth. Being so close, it takes up much of the sky. The image shown is 7.0 degrees x 4.6 degrees, or approximately 14 full moons by 9 full moons.” Thank you, Steven!
More photos of diffuse nebulae
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Oleg Rumiancev in Bainsville, Ontario, Canada, captured this telescopic view of the Cygnus Loop on June 15, 2026. Oleg wrote: “A first light of an extra fast imaging Newtonian telescope from Sharpstar, incredible level of detail from a modest 2 hours of imaging data.” Thank you, Oleg!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tameem Altameemi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) captured this telescopic view of Messier 17, the Omega Nebula in Sagittarius, on June 20, 2026. Tameem wrote: “My image of the Omega Nebula (M17) and the surrounding emission nebula IC 4701, captured from the skies of the United Arab Emirates. The Omega Nebula is one of the brightest star-forming regions in our galaxy. It is also known as the Swan Nebula, Horseshoe Nebula, or Lobster Nebula because its appearance changes depending on the orientation and field of view. Its intense ultraviolet radiation from young, massive stars causes the surrounding hydrogen gas to glow, while dark dust clouds sculpt its intricate structure. The wide field also reveals part of IC 4701, an extended emission nebula sharing the same giant molecular cloud complex, highlighting the rich network of gas and dust spread across this region of the Milky Way.” Thank you, Tameem!
Deep-sky photos of distant galaxies
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Andy Dungan near Cotopaxi, Colorado, captured this telescopic view of the Leo Triplet of Galaxies on June 24, 2026. Andy wrote: “M66 (top left), M65 (lower left), Hamburger Galaxy NGC 3628 (right). Pics were taken in May and processed in June. It was encouraging to see how using hydrogen-alpha data enriched the result. These galaxies are a long way away, 37 million light-years. So, I am pretty happy with this pic.” Thank you, Andy!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Andy Dungan near Cotopaxi, Colorado, captured this telescopic view of Messier 101, the Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major, on June 17, 2026. Andy wrote: “Pics were taken during May 26 and processed in June. The most fun about this image was it was the first time I used an OSC camera to also take hydrogen-alpha images. The result was that the reds in the image had greater emphasis thus making a more interesting image. Ya, I finally figured out how to do that with PixInsight (PI).” Thank you, Andy!
Bottom line: Enjoy this gallery of deep-sky photos from June 2026 by our EarthSky community. If you have a great photo to share, we’d love to see it!
The EarthSky community has many talented astrophotographers who capture stunning images of the deep sky. We gathered some of our favorite deep-sky photos from June 2026 for you to enjoy. Do you have images of your own to share? You can submit them to EarthSky here. We’d love to see them and share them!
Deep-sky photos of diffuse nebulae
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Andy Dungan near Cotopaxi, Colorado, captured this telescopic view of the Lagoon Nebula and its surroundings in Sagittarius, on June 10, 2025. Andy wrote: “Chinese Dragon Nebula (left up), Lagoon Nebula (center), Trifid Nebula (right up) all about 5,000 light-years away. Additionally the Starburst Cluster (NGC 6544) is found in the lower left), 8,000+ light-years away. If you look closely at the Chinese Dragon Nebula you will see a snake like creature winding through the nebula.” Thank you, Andy!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tameem Altameemi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) captured this telescopic view of the Chinese Dragon Nebula on June 14, 2026. Tameem wrote: “My image of the Chinese Dragon Nebula (NGC 6559), captured from the United Arab Emirates. Located in the constellation Sagittarius about 5,000 light-years away, NGC 6559 is a complex star-forming region composed of emission nebulae, reflection nebulae, and dark dust clouds. The interplay between glowing gas, scattered starlight, and obscuring dust creates the dragon-like appearance that inspired its popular nickname. Although often overshadowed by the nearby Lagoon Nebula (M8), NGC 6559 is a fascinating region in its own right, revealing active star formation and intricate interstellar structures within the Milky Way.” Thank you, Tameem!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Steven Bellavia in Livingston Manor, New York, captured this telescopic view of the Blue Horsehead Nebula on June 15, 2026. Steven wrote: “The Blue Horsehead Nebula, IC4592 is a reflection nebula in the constellation of Scorpius that is lit by Nu Scorpii, which is the bright star in the most blue portion. It spans 40 light-years and is 400 light-years from earth. Being so close, it takes up much of the sky. The image shown is 7.0 degrees x 4.6 degrees, or approximately 14 full moons by 9 full moons.” Thank you, Steven!
More photos of diffuse nebulae
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Oleg Rumiancev in Bainsville, Ontario, Canada, captured this telescopic view of the Cygnus Loop on June 15, 2026. Oleg wrote: “A first light of an extra fast imaging Newtonian telescope from Sharpstar, incredible level of detail from a modest 2 hours of imaging data.” Thank you, Oleg!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tameem Altameemi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) captured this telescopic view of Messier 17, the Omega Nebula in Sagittarius, on June 20, 2026. Tameem wrote: “My image of the Omega Nebula (M17) and the surrounding emission nebula IC 4701, captured from the skies of the United Arab Emirates. The Omega Nebula is one of the brightest star-forming regions in our galaxy. It is also known as the Swan Nebula, Horseshoe Nebula, or Lobster Nebula because its appearance changes depending on the orientation and field of view. Its intense ultraviolet radiation from young, massive stars causes the surrounding hydrogen gas to glow, while dark dust clouds sculpt its intricate structure. The wide field also reveals part of IC 4701, an extended emission nebula sharing the same giant molecular cloud complex, highlighting the rich network of gas and dust spread across this region of the Milky Way.” Thank you, Tameem!
Deep-sky photos of distant galaxies
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Andy Dungan near Cotopaxi, Colorado, captured this telescopic view of the Leo Triplet of Galaxies on June 24, 2026. Andy wrote: “M66 (top left), M65 (lower left), Hamburger Galaxy NGC 3628 (right). Pics were taken in May and processed in June. It was encouraging to see how using hydrogen-alpha data enriched the result. These galaxies are a long way away, 37 million light-years. So, I am pretty happy with this pic.” Thank you, Andy!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Andy Dungan near Cotopaxi, Colorado, captured this telescopic view of Messier 101, the Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major, on June 17, 2026. Andy wrote: “Pics were taken during May 26 and processed in June. The most fun about this image was it was the first time I used an OSC camera to also take hydrogen-alpha images. The result was that the reds in the image had greater emphasis thus making a more interesting image. Ya, I finally figured out how to do that with PixInsight (PI).” Thank you, Andy!
Bottom line: Enjoy this gallery of deep-sky photos from June 2026 by our EarthSky community. If you have a great photo to share, we’d love to see it!
Helicopter used to fight the Bar Creek fire in Montana, October 2012. How does smoke from distant wildfires affect birds? Image via U.S. Forest Service/ Wikimedia Commons.
How does smoke from distant wildfires affect birds?
Wildfires in the United States are increasing in severity, both in terms of size and frequency. Wildfire smoke can travel far, and there is a growing awareness of how this can harm the health of people. It can trigger respiratory irritation, asthma flare-ups and even heart attacks. Are birds also at risk?
Populations of many species are declining, and understanding the risks they face is important for their conservation. Scientists currently think that, yes, birds can be harmed by smoke from distant fires. But there is a lot more that needs to be learned.
No escape for birds
Exposure to large amounts of smoke is obviously harmful to people and wildlife. Smoke is chock full of toxic components, like carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and other harmful gases, as well as heavy metals. Thick smoke kills fast.
But what about those hazy days during the fire season? Are birds similarly troubled by chronically unclean air? Afterall, they cannot escape indoors during smoke outbreaks and turn on an air filter.
Scientists are studying these sorts of questions. Here is a brief snapshot.
Effects on body mass
One study last year found that the weight and body size of house wren (Troglodytes aedon) nestlings decreased on smoky days.
This could have been due to less successful foraging by the parent or the direct effects of smoke on nestlings, or a combination of factors. The question of whether skinnier nestlings fare well or poorly as juveniles needs further study. In general, though, when a bird fledges, more heft equates to better chances for survival.
Another study found, similarly, that birds recaptured at the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory gained less weight when particulate levels were high. This data came from bird banding events from 2000 to 2021.
Are birds like this one – a bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) – affected by smoke from wildfires? Image via Laura Wolf/ Flickr.
Effects on vocalizations
Scientists at Cornell University found that wildfire smoke reduced the vocalizations of grassland birds in New York.
The most pronounced effects were observed in bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) during an intense smoke outbreak at the start of the breeding season. Other birds were impacted too, including savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) and common yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas). Later during the breeding season, when smoke was less intense, some birds’ vocalizations increased.
A 2024 study revealed reductions in the sounds produced by birds during an intense smoke outbreak in central and eastern Washington during 2020.
Bird vocalizations are important for mate attraction and territory defense during the breeding season. Later, these calls and songs are critical for interactions between parents and offspring. There are complexities in the impacts of smoke on bird vocalizations. For example, differences among species or variable effects at different times of the year. These warrant further attention.
When one team of scientists fitted tule greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons elgasi) with GPS transmitters, they found that the geese altered their migration patterns during smoke events. Specifically, the birds either stopped migrating or changed the direction and altitude of their flights. Ultimately, this meant that the birds had to travel longer and farther to reach their destination.
Migrating birds have heightened energy demands and are particularly vulnerable to disturbances. In 2020 – a bad year for wildfire smoke – large numbers of birds were found dead or dying along migration routes in the western United States.
Some deaths were attributed to a winter storm in the Rocky Mountains, which caused mass starvation in insectivorous birds (birds that eat insects) traveling down the Central Flyway. However, many non-insectivorous birds traveling along the Pacific Flyway also died. Quite possibly, high levels of wildfire smoke contributed to their demise.
There are still a lot of unknowns about how wildfire smoke can affect migrating birds.
One team of scientists analyzed data obtained from the North American Breeding Bird Survey during 2008 to 2022. They found that wildfire pollution was associated with declines in the number of species present, a measure called species richness. Declines in species abundance and diversity were also observed.
eBird is a great place to record your bird observations. The comment section in eBird allows space for the recording of field notes about the weather. Many people also use the RainCrow app for this purpose. If you are out birding and smell smoke in the air, include that information too. Even better, include data on the air quality index (AQI) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The AQI for PM2.5 is a good proxy for wildfire smoke in the atmosphere.
But please use caution and avoid birding when the air quality is poor. If you do find yourself outdoors during a hazardous smoke event, wear a mask.
Project Phoenix is a community science project focused on learning how wildfire smoke impacts West Coast birds. Find out how to get involved here.
Air quality index (AQI) for ozone and particle pollution. Image via AirNow.gov.
Bottom line: Smoke from distant wildfires can affect birds in several ways, such as through changes in health, vocalization behavior and migratory patterns.
Helicopter used to fight the Bar Creek fire in Montana, October 2012. How does smoke from distant wildfires affect birds? Image via U.S. Forest Service/ Wikimedia Commons.
How does smoke from distant wildfires affect birds?
Wildfires in the United States are increasing in severity, both in terms of size and frequency. Wildfire smoke can travel far, and there is a growing awareness of how this can harm the health of people. It can trigger respiratory irritation, asthma flare-ups and even heart attacks. Are birds also at risk?
Populations of many species are declining, and understanding the risks they face is important for their conservation. Scientists currently think that, yes, birds can be harmed by smoke from distant fires. But there is a lot more that needs to be learned.
No escape for birds
Exposure to large amounts of smoke is obviously harmful to people and wildlife. Smoke is chock full of toxic components, like carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and other harmful gases, as well as heavy metals. Thick smoke kills fast.
But what about those hazy days during the fire season? Are birds similarly troubled by chronically unclean air? Afterall, they cannot escape indoors during smoke outbreaks and turn on an air filter.
Scientists are studying these sorts of questions. Here is a brief snapshot.
Effects on body mass
One study last year found that the weight and body size of house wren (Troglodytes aedon) nestlings decreased on smoky days.
This could have been due to less successful foraging by the parent or the direct effects of smoke on nestlings, or a combination of factors. The question of whether skinnier nestlings fare well or poorly as juveniles needs further study. In general, though, when a bird fledges, more heft equates to better chances for survival.
Another study found, similarly, that birds recaptured at the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory gained less weight when particulate levels were high. This data came from bird banding events from 2000 to 2021.
Are birds like this one – a bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) – affected by smoke from wildfires? Image via Laura Wolf/ Flickr.
Effects on vocalizations
Scientists at Cornell University found that wildfire smoke reduced the vocalizations of grassland birds in New York.
The most pronounced effects were observed in bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) during an intense smoke outbreak at the start of the breeding season. Other birds were impacted too, including savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) and common yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas). Later during the breeding season, when smoke was less intense, some birds’ vocalizations increased.
A 2024 study revealed reductions in the sounds produced by birds during an intense smoke outbreak in central and eastern Washington during 2020.
Bird vocalizations are important for mate attraction and territory defense during the breeding season. Later, these calls and songs are critical for interactions between parents and offspring. There are complexities in the impacts of smoke on bird vocalizations. For example, differences among species or variable effects at different times of the year. These warrant further attention.
When one team of scientists fitted tule greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons elgasi) with GPS transmitters, they found that the geese altered their migration patterns during smoke events. Specifically, the birds either stopped migrating or changed the direction and altitude of their flights. Ultimately, this meant that the birds had to travel longer and farther to reach their destination.
Migrating birds have heightened energy demands and are particularly vulnerable to disturbances. In 2020 – a bad year for wildfire smoke – large numbers of birds were found dead or dying along migration routes in the western United States.
Some deaths were attributed to a winter storm in the Rocky Mountains, which caused mass starvation in insectivorous birds (birds that eat insects) traveling down the Central Flyway. However, many non-insectivorous birds traveling along the Pacific Flyway also died. Quite possibly, high levels of wildfire smoke contributed to their demise.
There are still a lot of unknowns about how wildfire smoke can affect migrating birds.
One team of scientists analyzed data obtained from the North American Breeding Bird Survey during 2008 to 2022. They found that wildfire pollution was associated with declines in the number of species present, a measure called species richness. Declines in species abundance and diversity were also observed.
eBird is a great place to record your bird observations. The comment section in eBird allows space for the recording of field notes about the weather. Many people also use the RainCrow app for this purpose. If you are out birding and smell smoke in the air, include that information too. Even better, include data on the air quality index (AQI) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The AQI for PM2.5 is a good proxy for wildfire smoke in the atmosphere.
But please use caution and avoid birding when the air quality is poor. If you do find yourself outdoors during a hazardous smoke event, wear a mask.
Project Phoenix is a community science project focused on learning how wildfire smoke impacts West Coast birds. Find out how to get involved here.
Air quality index (AQI) for ozone and particle pollution. Image via AirNow.gov.
Bottom line: Smoke from distant wildfires can affect birds in several ways, such as through changes in health, vocalization behavior and migratory patterns.
This chart shows the orientation of the Big and Little Dippers on July evenings from the Northern Hemisphere. These constellations can help you find Polaris and Thuban, the present and former pole stars. Chart via EarthSky.
Tonight, use the Big Dipper asterism in the constellation Ursa Major to find the sky’s northern pole star, Polaris. Polaris is located nearly exactly above Earth’s northern axis, meaning the entire northern sky appears to turn around it.
Then once you find Polaris, you can also look for a famous former pole star: Thuban. Part of the constellation Draco the Dragon, Thuban was the northern pole star for the builders of the pyramids 5,000 years ago. See how to find Thuban and Polaris below.
Use the Big Dipper to find Polaris
To find Polaris, draw a line through the Big Dipper’s pointer stars Dubhe and Merak (see the chart above). That line will point to Polaris, our modern-day North Star. You can use this trick to find Polaris any evening, no matter how the Dipper is oriented with respect to your northern horizon.
Once you’ve got Polaris, you might be able to see that it’s part of the Little Dipper star pattern. This asterism is fainter than the Big Dipper, and needs a dark sky to be seen.
The chart above shows the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, and the star Polaris as you’ll see them in the north on July evenings. Polaris marks the end of the handle on the Little Dipper asterism, which is in the constellation Ursa Minor.
In other words, the Little Dipper is not the whole constellation. It’s just a noticeable pattern within the constellation Ursa Minor the Smaller Bear. That’s why it’s referred to as an asterism.
Still, Polaris is plenty bright enough to be seen with ease on a dark, clear night.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Eddie Little of North Carolina captured the stars circling around Polaris, the North Star, on January 2, 2025, and wrote: “I had a mostly cloudless, nearly moonless night on one of the longest nights of the year. Approximately 12 hours of shooting.” Thank you, Eddie! Polaris is the star around which the entire northern sky appears to turn.
Look between the Dippers to find Thuban
As night deepens, and the fainter stars of the Little Dipper spring into view, those of you with dark-enough skies can expect to see a winding stream of stars between the Big and Little Dippers. These meandering stars make up the constellation Draco the Dragon, a fixture of the northern skies.
One of the stars making up Draco’s tail is Thuban. It sits between the Big and Little Dippers, and is roughly in line with the point between the Little Dipper’s stars Pherkad and Kochab.
Thuban is famous for having served as a pole star around 3000 B.C. This date coincides with the beginning of the building of the pyramids in Egypt. It’s said that the descending passage of the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Gizeh was built to point directly at Thuban. So our ancestors knew and celebrated this star.
Thuban is part of Draco’s tail. And Eltanin and Rastaban mark the head of Draco the Dragon. You’ll find these stars in the northern sky. Chart via EarthSky.
Bottom line: Draw a line through the Big Dipper’s pointer stars to find Polaris, Earth’s northern pole star. And if your sky is dark, look for the former pole star Thuban.
This chart shows the orientation of the Big and Little Dippers on July evenings from the Northern Hemisphere. These constellations can help you find Polaris and Thuban, the present and former pole stars. Chart via EarthSky.
Tonight, use the Big Dipper asterism in the constellation Ursa Major to find the sky’s northern pole star, Polaris. Polaris is located nearly exactly above Earth’s northern axis, meaning the entire northern sky appears to turn around it.
Then once you find Polaris, you can also look for a famous former pole star: Thuban. Part of the constellation Draco the Dragon, Thuban was the northern pole star for the builders of the pyramids 5,000 years ago. See how to find Thuban and Polaris below.
Use the Big Dipper to find Polaris
To find Polaris, draw a line through the Big Dipper’s pointer stars Dubhe and Merak (see the chart above). That line will point to Polaris, our modern-day North Star. You can use this trick to find Polaris any evening, no matter how the Dipper is oriented with respect to your northern horizon.
Once you’ve got Polaris, you might be able to see that it’s part of the Little Dipper star pattern. This asterism is fainter than the Big Dipper, and needs a dark sky to be seen.
The chart above shows the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, and the star Polaris as you’ll see them in the north on July evenings. Polaris marks the end of the handle on the Little Dipper asterism, which is in the constellation Ursa Minor.
In other words, the Little Dipper is not the whole constellation. It’s just a noticeable pattern within the constellation Ursa Minor the Smaller Bear. That’s why it’s referred to as an asterism.
Still, Polaris is plenty bright enough to be seen with ease on a dark, clear night.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Eddie Little of North Carolina captured the stars circling around Polaris, the North Star, on January 2, 2025, and wrote: “I had a mostly cloudless, nearly moonless night on one of the longest nights of the year. Approximately 12 hours of shooting.” Thank you, Eddie! Polaris is the star around which the entire northern sky appears to turn.
Look between the Dippers to find Thuban
As night deepens, and the fainter stars of the Little Dipper spring into view, those of you with dark-enough skies can expect to see a winding stream of stars between the Big and Little Dippers. These meandering stars make up the constellation Draco the Dragon, a fixture of the northern skies.
One of the stars making up Draco’s tail is Thuban. It sits between the Big and Little Dippers, and is roughly in line with the point between the Little Dipper’s stars Pherkad and Kochab.
Thuban is famous for having served as a pole star around 3000 B.C. This date coincides with the beginning of the building of the pyramids in Egypt. It’s said that the descending passage of the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Gizeh was built to point directly at Thuban. So our ancestors knew and celebrated this star.
Thuban is part of Draco’s tail. And Eltanin and Rastaban mark the head of Draco the Dragon. You’ll find these stars in the northern sky. Chart via EarthSky.
Bottom line: Draw a line through the Big Dipper’s pointer stars to find Polaris, Earth’s northern pole star. And if your sky is dark, look for the former pole star Thuban.
Reflect Orbital’s plans to have more than 50,000 satellites reflecting sunlight back to Earth could cause huge disruption to ecosystems and humans alike. But the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has just given Reflect Orbital the go-ahead to test a giant space mirror in Earth-orbit. Image via Unsplash/ Mariana Proença.
The FCC has approved Reflect Orbital to test a satellite that reflects sunlight to Earth.
But the technology could be harmful for ecosystems, human health, aviation safety and astronomical observations.
Increasingly ambitious satellite projects – including massive constellations for AI data centers and space-based energy – are outpacing current regulatory oversight, and intensifying concerns about congestion around our planet.
The FCC approved the company Reflect Orbital to test one satellite, named Earendil-1, as a means of reflecting the sun’s rays back to Earth for extra solar energy and wide-area lighting. The light is expected to cover an area about 3.1 miles (5 km) wide, and will require repointing every four minutes.
And this is just the start. Reflect Orbital plans to have more than 50,000 satellites in action by 2035, which they claim will be used across agricultural, emergency response and other industrial sectors.
There are many problems with this proposal, including impacts these satellites will have on human health and safety, as well as on astronomy and the low-Earth environment.
Flashes during mirror repointing could disrupt pilots and drivers. The light could also disrupt circadian rhythms of plants, animals and humans. Sensitive detectors in research telescopes, as well as star-tracking cameras on lower altitude satellites, could be overloaded and fried.
The FCC said that the:
risks of harm raised on the record regarding Reflect Orbital’s solar reflector are unrelated to the Commission’s role in authorizing use of radiofrequency spectrum.
Reflect orbital brands itself as, ‘the sunlight company.’ Image via Reflect Orbital.
‘Weird space stuff’
Satellite proposals for “emergent space activities” in low-Earth orbit are becoming increasingly outlandish. The proposals have become so weird, in fact, that the FCC recently published a document called Spectrum Abundance for Weird Space Stuff.
The document states:
Once the province of science fiction, American companies are now upgrading, relocating and servicing satellites; manufacturing pharmaceuticals in space; building private inhabitable spacecraft; and conducting private robotic missions to the surface of the moon.
The phrase “weird space stuff” is refreshingly truthful. So, how did we get here?
SpaceX controls orbit
There are close to 11,000 SpaceX Starlink satellites currently in orbit above our heads. Anyone who wants to launch into low-Earth orbit needs to carefully consider SpaceX operations, or directly co-ordinate with them.
Otherwise they risk collisions, like the near-miss between a Starlink and Chinese satellite in December 2025.
Even the Artemis I launch in 2022 and Artemis II launch in 2026 had small cutout windows in their launch timing to avoid satellites, including those belonging to Starlink.
Coordination is good. Forcing it because one corporation has effectively occupied low-Earth orbit is not. Indeed, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which was signed by more than 100 countries including the United States, China and Russia, states that:
outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation.
Whether SpaceX’s extensive use of Earth orbits violates this principle is now being tested in real time.
Not only did the FCC accept SpaceX’s filing, but they did so at ludicrous speed. Scientists worldwide then had just 30 days to model the effects with woefully incomplete information on masses, sizes, compositions and orbital distributions.
At the time of writing, four other copycat AI data center proposals have been filed by rival companies, for tens of thousands of satellites each. And SpaceX just proposed another 100,000 satellites to interface with the million AI data centers that it already asked for.
Solar energy from space
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission was originally set up to regulate radio broadcasts. But it is now being asked to evaluate many non-radio effects, including orbital safety, which it may not have the required expertise for. It would make sense to move some of this evaluation to the U.S. Office of Space Commerce. However, recent budget cuts make that infeasible.
Consequently, the FCC will soon be asked to judge a daunting range of satellite proposals. They include a cluster of proposals to gather solar energy from space.
One idea is to send solar power down to Earth through high energy beams. These could change atmospheric chemistry and kill birds and other wildlife that stray into the beam.
They would also require no-fly zones around receiving stations for airplanes and also satellites on lower altitude orbits (such as the orbits SpaceX just requested for 100,000 more Starlink satellites).
Environmental costs
While many of these projects claim to solve environmental problems by creating clean energy or capturing it in space, they function as a form of greenwashing.
The solar energy generated is only clean if you ignore the environmental costs of building, launching, maintaining and burning satellites up in Earth’s atmosphere. The daily operations of all these proposed systems will have huge environmental consequences.
The goal of many ‘weird’ space projects is beaming the sun to Earth at night to power solar farms. Image via Unsplash/ Andreas Gucklhorn.
The majority of satellites in orbit today are American, and the main federal agency regulating satellites is not set up to do that well. We are now seeing the consequences.
While outer space is effectively infinite, low-Earth orbit most definitely is not. Satellites orbit the Earth around once every 90 minutes. This means the collision potential between two objects in orbit is large.
The many satellites and rocket bodies that have burned up in Earth’s atmosphere over the last few years have already measurably altered it. Preliminary studies show that using Earth’s atmosphere as a crematorium for tens of thousands of satellites will have devastating effects on ozone and other atmospheric chemistry.
We are not here to argue against satellites. Indeed, they provide a wide range of beneficial services to science and society. But each satellite comes with a cost that must be taken into account.
Ultimately, this is an innovation challenge. Unfettered growth and exploitation of any environment comes with serious consequences, including to the long-term sustainability of the operations that depend on that environment.
Doing more with less is the engineering challenge that needs to be met if we want to continue to use satellites in orbit.
Bottom line: The Federal Communications Commission has approved a test of a giant space mirror, despite fears that this could harm ecosystems, people and science.
Reflect Orbital’s plans to have more than 50,000 satellites reflecting sunlight back to Earth could cause huge disruption to ecosystems and humans alike. But the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has just given Reflect Orbital the go-ahead to test a giant space mirror in Earth-orbit. Image via Unsplash/ Mariana Proença.
The FCC has approved Reflect Orbital to test a satellite that reflects sunlight to Earth.
But the technology could be harmful for ecosystems, human health, aviation safety and astronomical observations.
Increasingly ambitious satellite projects – including massive constellations for AI data centers and space-based energy – are outpacing current regulatory oversight, and intensifying concerns about congestion around our planet.
The FCC approved the company Reflect Orbital to test one satellite, named Earendil-1, as a means of reflecting the sun’s rays back to Earth for extra solar energy and wide-area lighting. The light is expected to cover an area about 3.1 miles (5 km) wide, and will require repointing every four minutes.
And this is just the start. Reflect Orbital plans to have more than 50,000 satellites in action by 2035, which they claim will be used across agricultural, emergency response and other industrial sectors.
There are many problems with this proposal, including impacts these satellites will have on human health and safety, as well as on astronomy and the low-Earth environment.
Flashes during mirror repointing could disrupt pilots and drivers. The light could also disrupt circadian rhythms of plants, animals and humans. Sensitive detectors in research telescopes, as well as star-tracking cameras on lower altitude satellites, could be overloaded and fried.
The FCC said that the:
risks of harm raised on the record regarding Reflect Orbital’s solar reflector are unrelated to the Commission’s role in authorizing use of radiofrequency spectrum.
Reflect orbital brands itself as, ‘the sunlight company.’ Image via Reflect Orbital.
‘Weird space stuff’
Satellite proposals for “emergent space activities” in low-Earth orbit are becoming increasingly outlandish. The proposals have become so weird, in fact, that the FCC recently published a document called Spectrum Abundance for Weird Space Stuff.
The document states:
Once the province of science fiction, American companies are now upgrading, relocating and servicing satellites; manufacturing pharmaceuticals in space; building private inhabitable spacecraft; and conducting private robotic missions to the surface of the moon.
The phrase “weird space stuff” is refreshingly truthful. So, how did we get here?
SpaceX controls orbit
There are close to 11,000 SpaceX Starlink satellites currently in orbit above our heads. Anyone who wants to launch into low-Earth orbit needs to carefully consider SpaceX operations, or directly co-ordinate with them.
Otherwise they risk collisions, like the near-miss between a Starlink and Chinese satellite in December 2025.
Even the Artemis I launch in 2022 and Artemis II launch in 2026 had small cutout windows in their launch timing to avoid satellites, including those belonging to Starlink.
Coordination is good. Forcing it because one corporation has effectively occupied low-Earth orbit is not. Indeed, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which was signed by more than 100 countries including the United States, China and Russia, states that:
outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation.
Whether SpaceX’s extensive use of Earth orbits violates this principle is now being tested in real time.
Not only did the FCC accept SpaceX’s filing, but they did so at ludicrous speed. Scientists worldwide then had just 30 days to model the effects with woefully incomplete information on masses, sizes, compositions and orbital distributions.
At the time of writing, four other copycat AI data center proposals have been filed by rival companies, for tens of thousands of satellites each. And SpaceX just proposed another 100,000 satellites to interface with the million AI data centers that it already asked for.
Solar energy from space
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission was originally set up to regulate radio broadcasts. But it is now being asked to evaluate many non-radio effects, including orbital safety, which it may not have the required expertise for. It would make sense to move some of this evaluation to the U.S. Office of Space Commerce. However, recent budget cuts make that infeasible.
Consequently, the FCC will soon be asked to judge a daunting range of satellite proposals. They include a cluster of proposals to gather solar energy from space.
One idea is to send solar power down to Earth through high energy beams. These could change atmospheric chemistry and kill birds and other wildlife that stray into the beam.
They would also require no-fly zones around receiving stations for airplanes and also satellites on lower altitude orbits (such as the orbits SpaceX just requested for 100,000 more Starlink satellites).
Environmental costs
While many of these projects claim to solve environmental problems by creating clean energy or capturing it in space, they function as a form of greenwashing.
The solar energy generated is only clean if you ignore the environmental costs of building, launching, maintaining and burning satellites up in Earth’s atmosphere. The daily operations of all these proposed systems will have huge environmental consequences.
The goal of many ‘weird’ space projects is beaming the sun to Earth at night to power solar farms. Image via Unsplash/ Andreas Gucklhorn.
The majority of satellites in orbit today are American, and the main federal agency regulating satellites is not set up to do that well. We are now seeing the consequences.
While outer space is effectively infinite, low-Earth orbit most definitely is not. Satellites orbit the Earth around once every 90 minutes. This means the collision potential between two objects in orbit is large.
The many satellites and rocket bodies that have burned up in Earth’s atmosphere over the last few years have already measurably altered it. Preliminary studies show that using Earth’s atmosphere as a crematorium for tens of thousands of satellites will have devastating effects on ozone and other atmospheric chemistry.
We are not here to argue against satellites. Indeed, they provide a wide range of beneficial services to science and society. But each satellite comes with a cost that must be taken into account.
Ultimately, this is an innovation challenge. Unfettered growth and exploitation of any environment comes with serious consequences, including to the long-term sustainability of the operations that depend on that environment.
Doing more with less is the engineering challenge that needs to be met if we want to continue to use satellites in orbit.
Bottom line: The Federal Communications Commission has approved a test of a giant space mirror, despite fears that this could harm ecosystems, people and science.
