Space / NASA
Space launches, NASA missions, SpaceX events, and major astronomical announcements.
Upcoming Events
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse — August 16-17, 2027
A penumbral lunar eclipse takes place overnight on August 16-17, 2027, when the Moon glides through Earth's penumbral shadow. It is the third and final lunar eclipse of 2027, following the February 20-21 and July 18 penumbral events.
NASA Lucy — Polymele Trojan Asteroid Flyby
NASA's Lucy spacecraft flies by the binary Jupiter Trojan asteroid Polymele, its second Trojan encounter of 2027.
September Equinox 2027 — Autumn Equinox
The September (autumnal) equinox falls on September 23, 2027, when the Sun crosses the celestial equator and day and night are nearly equal worldwide. It marks the start of astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation — September 2027
Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 26.3 degrees from the Sun, one of the widest evening separations of the year.
78th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2027)
The world's largest space conference comes to Poznan, Poland under the theme "One Space. Shared Future." — the first time the IAC has been held in Poland in 60 years. Up to 10,000 participants from more than 120 countries are expected.
Neptune at Opposition 2027
Neptune reaches opposition, sitting opposite the Sun and appearing at its brightest and closest to Earth for the year.
World Space Week 2027
The largest annual space event on Earth, celebrated in more than 90 countries. The 4-10 October window marks the 1957 launch of Sputnik 1 and the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
Draconid Meteor Shower Peak 2027
The Draconid meteor shower peaks, radiating from the constellation Draco. A minor shower of about 10 meteors per hour, best viewed in the early evening rather than pre-dawn.
Hunter's Moon — October 2027
October's full Moon, the Hunter's Moon, reaching full phase at 13:48 UTC.
Saturn at Opposition 2027
Saturn reaches opposition, shining at its brightest for the year and visible all night. The best time to view its rings through a telescope.
Orionid Meteor Shower Peak 2027
The Orionid meteor shower peaks, producing up to 20 fast meteors per hour from debris left by Halley's Comet, radiating from the constellation Orion.
Taurid Meteor Shower Peak 2027
The Taurid meteor shower peaks, a long-running minor shower known for producing bright fireballs, radiating from the constellation Taurus.
Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation — November 2027
Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 18.8 degrees from the Sun, visible low in the eastern sky before sunrise.
Leonid Meteor Shower Peak 2027
The Leonid meteor shower peaks, producing up to 15 meteors per hour from debris left by Comet Tempel-Tuttle, radiating from the constellation Leo.
Venus-Mars Conjunction 2027
Venus passes just 0.3 degrees south of Mars in an exceptionally close conjunction of the two planets.
Uranus at Opposition 2027
Uranus reaches opposition, its best viewing of the year when the ice giant is closest to Earth and fully illuminated.
Geminid Meteor Shower Peak 2027
The Geminid meteor shower peaks in mid-December 2027, considered the best annual meteor shower with up to 150 multicolored meteors per hour.
December Solstice 2027 — Winter Solstice
The December solstice occurs on December 22, 2027, marking the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest in the Southern Hemisphere, as the Sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky.
Ursid Meteor Shower Peak 2027
The Ursid meteor shower peaks, a minor shower of about 5 to 10 meteors per hour radiating from the constellation Ursa Minor, coinciding with the winter solstice season.
Lunar Occultation of Mars 2027
The Moon passes in front of Mars, occulting the red planet in an event visible from parts of the world.