China's secretive space plane is making a series of passes over the United States in the coming days and you could spot it with your own eyes!
The mysterious spacecraft, Shenlong, is currently orbiting Earth on its fourth mission. Although we don't know what it's up to, China's space agency has said it is testing technologies that "will pave the way for more convenient and affordable round-trip methods for the peaceful use of space in the future."
Under favorable conditions, Shenlong is bright enough to spot with the naked eye, according to Spaceweather.com. But you'll need to set your alarm early, as some of the best viewing opportunities are in the predawn sky.
When and where to see China's space plane
According to satellite-tracking website Heavens-Above, skywatchers across the U.S. have several opportunities to spot Shenlong between Oct. 30 and early November, weather permitting.
Here are some of the most promising high-altitude passes for four major U.S. cities. All times are local, with the end of daylight saving time on Nov. 1 taken into account. Times are approximate and may change. Maximum elevation refers to the spacecraft's highest angle above the horizon, with 90° being directly overhead.
Best predicted viewing opportunities
City
Date
Local viewing window
Maximum elevation
New York
Nov. 1
5:20-5:28 a.m. EST
78°
Chicago
Nov. 3
4:37-4:42 a.m. CST
85°
Denver
Nov. 2
5:05-5:12 a.m. MST
73°
Los Angeles
Nov. 2
5:42-5:51 a.m. PST
83°
If clouds get in the way (or you forget to set your alarm), don't worry! There are several other opportunities over the coming days.
Other promising passes
City
Date
Local viewing window
Maximum elevation
New York
Oct. 31
6:13–6:20 a.m. EDT
52°
New York
Nov. 2
5:28–5:37 a.m. EST
66°
Chicago
Oct. 31
6:50–6:59 a.m. CDT
74°
Chicago
Nov. 2
4:29–4:34 a.m. CST
64°
Denver
Nov. 1
4:57–5:04 a.m. MST
48°
Denver
Nov. 3
5:13–5:20 a.m. MST
70°
Los Angeles
Nov. 5
4:29–4:35 a.m. PST
69°
Los Angeles
Nov. 6
4:38–4:43 a.m. PST
66°
How can I see Shenlong from where I live?
These predictions are specific to each city, so your exact viewing times will depend on your viewing location.
Shenlong pass over New York on Nov. 1 timings. The highlighted circle is the region where the satellite is at least 10° above your horizon. The size of the circle depends on the height of the satellite. (Image credit: Chris Peat/Heavens-Above)
To find out when Shenlong will pass over your location, head to Heavens-Above, enter your location (in the top right corner of the page), then on the homepage look for "satellite database" under the satellites subheader. And search for "PRC TEST SPACECRAFT 4".
Select "visible only" to see upcoming passes and click on a date to bring up a detailed sky chart showing the spacecraft's predicted path across the sky, including where to look and when.
What will China's space plane look like?
To the naked eye, Shenlong will look like a small, steadily moving point of light, similar to a satellite gliding across the sky.
Its brightness can vary significantly. Veteran satellite observer Paul Maley spotted Shenlong from Paarl, South Africa, in February 2026, estimating its brightness at between magnitude +2.5 and +3.5 at its brightest, according to Spaceweather.com.
Maley reported that the spacecraft was easily visible to the naked eye under dark, moonless skies, but noted that it could also become much fainter, potentially dropping to magnitude +6.
To give yourself the best chance of spotting Shenlong for yourself, head somewhere dark, away from city lights.
What is Shenlong?
Shenlong is a reusable spacecraft that launches aboard a rocket before eventually returning to Earth for a runway landing, much like the U.S. military's X-37B space plane.
China has revealed relatively little about its activities, although the spacecraft has been observed interacting with other objects in orbit. Just days ago, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency released a remarkable new photograph of Shenlong, offering a rare glimpse into this mysterious spacecraft.
TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS — NASA's Artemis II astronauts were just minutes away from a critical engine burn that would send them toward the moon when an unexpected cabin leak warning threatened to change the course of their historic mission.
"If it had happened five minutes later, we may not have been able to have that burn," Artemis II pilot Victor Glover revealed during an Oct. 18 discussion with Canadian former astronaut Chris Hadfield at the Starmus VIII festival here in Tenerife.
The incident unfolded on April 2, the second day of the Artemis II mission, as the astronauts' Orion spacecraft swooped back toward Earth after traveling some 38,000 miles (61,000 kilometers) away. Orion had been completing a highly elliptical orbit around Earth, giving the crew and mission control an opportunity to test the capsule's systems before committing to the journey to the moon. Orion was now approaching its closest point to our planet, roughly 100 miles (160 km) above the surface, ahead of the crucial translunar injection (TLI) burn that would send the astronauts moonward.
"Jeremy looks out the window and says, 'I think we're going to run smack dab into the middle of Earth,'" Glover recalled, referring to Artemis II mission specialist Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency. "Because we were getting so low."
The close approach brought additional challenges, as Orion passed through a region populated by orbital debris and satellites.
"The density of things is going up from where we are, and also an increase in radiation," Glover explained.
It was at this particularly demanding point in the mission that Orion issued a warning that indicated a possible cabin leak, around 15 minutes before the critical TLI burn.
"So, determining whether it was real or not was a big deal," Glover said.
The crew and mission control faced a crucial question: Was it safe to continue heading to the moon, or would they have to abandon the planned maneuver and cut the mission very short? "Are we going to do a TLI and burn to go to the moon, or are we putting on our spacesuits to prepare to come back to Earth right now?" Glover recalled.
The timing was particularly critical. The TLI burn was designed to propel Orion out of Earth orbit and onto its trajectory around the moon, marking the first time astronauts had headed toward Earth's nearest neighbor since the Apollo era.
The moon, seen here backlit by the sun during a solar eclipse on April 6, 2026, captured by one of the cameras on the Orion spacecraft's solar array wings. (Image credit: NASA)
Luckily, as NASA flight director Judd Frieling told us during an April 2 media briefing, the warning turned out to be a false alarm.
So Artemis II received the go-ahead. Orion fired its main engine for approximately five minutes and 50 seconds, successfully setting the four astronauts on their journey around the moon.
"We're watching the timer count down, velocities go up, and the magenta and green numbers coming together," Glover recalled.
"Everything is tracking. It's looking good."
Before long, the crew had broken free of Earth's gravitational hold and were hurtling toward the moon at around 24,500 mph (39,430 kph).
Despite the tense moments before the burn, Artemis II went on to make history. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (the mission's commander), Glover (pilot) and Christina Koch (mission specialist), along with Hansen, traveled farther from Earth than any humans before them, reaching a maximum distance of 252,756 miles (406,771 km) during their journey around the moon.
The four astronauts returned safely to Earth on April 10, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego after nearly 10 days in space.
TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS — The Artemis II astronauts may have traveled hundreds of thousands of miles away from Earth to the moon, but they made sure the rest of us didn't miss out on the adventure.
Now, their efforts to bring the wonders of space exploration back down to Earth have earned them one of science communication's most prestigious honors: the Stephen Hawking Medal.
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, accepted the award on Saturday (Oct. 17), during the opening ceremony of the Starmus VIII festival. The honor recognizes all four crew members, including NASA astronaut Christina Koch, who wasn't in attendance.
For Wiseman, the experience of seeing our home planet from the vicinity of the moon carried a powerful message.
"If we could take each of you 250,000 miles away from this planet, 400,000 kilometers away from planet Earth, and you would see Earth the size of your thumb. It's tiny," Wiseman told the audience.
"When you're there looking through the moon, back at this tiny Earth, the only thing you feel is love, peace, hope, unity", he continued. "Those aren't the right words, but that is all you feel."
Reid Wiseman delivered a powerful message during the awards ceremony. (Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic/Future)
During their historic Artemis II mission, the astronauts did far more than put NASA's Orion spacecraft through its paces. Through live communications, interviews and glimpses into life aboard the spacecraft, not to mention the jaw-dropping photos that just keep on coming, they helped turn an extraordinarily complex mission into something people worldwide could experience and connect with.
And that's exactly what the Stephen Hawking Medal is designed to celebrate.
Established in 2016 by physicist Stephen Hawking and Starmus, the award honors those who have gone above and beyond to make science accessible, engaging and inspiring.
The Artemis II crew joins some pretty impressive company. Previous recipients include Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, naturalist David Attenborough, primatologist Jane Goodall and astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson.
This year's ceremony marks the medal's 10th anniversary, with filmmaker Ridley Scott also among the 2026 honourees.
"It's a special thrill for us at Starmus to be able to honor the intrepid Artemis II crew members in the same way that we honored the Apollo astronauts who paved the way to the moon over 50 years ago," Starmus co-founder and Queen guitarist Brian May said in a statement ahead of the ceremony.
Wiseman left the audience with one final thought.
"When you come home to this beautiful planet, you realise that it's in every single one of us to choose to make tomorrow better," he said. "So let's all choose to make tomorrow better".
Starmus VIIIruns from Oct. 17-22 across Tenerife and La Palma in the Canary Islands. This year's festival, themed "The Search for Truth", brings together leading scientists, astronauts, musicians and artists to celebrate scientific discovery and explore the importance of evidence and scientific thinking.
Starmus VIII's opening ceremony gave us the mashup we didn't know we needed... Andrea Bocelli, Brian May and Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal. (Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic/Future)
I've spent years chasing the northern lights across the Arctic, from the mountains of Swedish Lapland to the dramatic Norwegian fjords.
If there's one thing I've learned, it's that choosing where to see the northern lights is about much more than simply heading as far north as possible. Whether you're on the hunt for somewhere that offers the best chance of clear skies, the most dramatic scenery or a plethora of winter activities to keep you warm, choosing the right destination can make a big difference, especially as auroras are never guaranteed.
My biggest piece of advice? Choose somewhere you've always wanted to visit regardless of whether the northern lights might appear. That way, the auroras become the icing on the cake rather than the sole measure of a successful trip.
From my personal favorites in Scandinavia to some of North America's most established aurora hotspots, here are seven of the best places to see the northern lights this 2026/27 season.
Best places to see the northern lights at a glance
Best places to see the northern lights at a glance
Location
Best for
Kiruna and Abisko, Sweden
Best for a short northern lights trip
Tromsø, Norway
Best for a city break
Norwegian coast
Best for a scenic Arctic voyage
Finnish Lapland
Best for a winter wonderland getaway
Iceland
Best for volcanoes, glaciers and natural wonders
Fairbanks, Alaska
Best for a U.S. aurora getaway
Yellowknife, Canada
Best for a Canadian aurora getaway
Abisko and Kiruna, Sweden: Best for a short northern lights trip
Northern lights from Mount Nuolja, Abisko, Sweden. (Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic)
Best time to visit: September to early April
Swedish Lapland holds a particularly special place in my heart. It's where I saw the northern lights for the very first time, during a trip to Kiruna in February 2023.
I'd only booked two nights in Kiruna, one of which included a northern lights tour with Anders from Outdoor North 67º. Talk about putting all your eggs in one basket! But the gamble paid off, and I was treated to a spellbinding display of auroras dancing across the Arctic sky. I've been hooked ever since.
Kiruna offers a wide range of accommodation, restaurants and activities, making it a convenient base for exploring the region. From here, you can join guided aurora tours, visit the famous Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi or head into the wilderness for dog sledding and snowmobiling adventures.
One of the region's biggest draws is Abisko National Park, around 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of Kiruna. Abisko is famous for its so-called "Blue Hole", a local weather phenomenon in which the skies above the national park can be clear, even if the surrounding region (and weather forecast) is cloudy. This is partly thanks to the surrounding mountains, which create a rain shadow effect, reducing the precipitation in the area.
Glacial-carved valley Lapporten, in Abisko National Park. (Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic)
And if you're visiting Abisko, I'd highly recommend taking the chairlift up Mount Nuolja to the Aurora Sky Station. The views across Abisko National Park and the surrounding mountains are spectacular. Just be sure to check the chairlift's operating dates and times before visiting, as it doesn't run throughout the entire season.
My tip: Although my two-night gamble paid off, I wouldn't recommend relying on such a short window if seeing the northern lights is your main goal. If possible, give yourself at least three or four nights to improve your chances of clear skies and aurora activity.
Tromsø, Norway: Best for a city break
Tromsø is the perfect destination for an aurora city break. (Image credit: Juan Maria Coy Vergara via Getty Images)
Best time to visit: September to early April
If you want to experience the northern lights without giving up the comforts of city life, Tromsø is hard to beat.
Located high above the Arctic Circle in northern Norway, Tromsø sits beneath the auroral oval, the region surrounding Earth's magnetic poles where auroras occur most frequently.
What I particularly like about Tromsø is that it offers the best of both worlds. You have a lively city with excellent restaurants, cafes, shops, museums and accommodation, while spectacular mountains and wilderness are only a short journey away.
There's also a huge range of northern lights tours available, from small-group photography excursions to longer aurora-chasing adventures.
My tip: Tromsø is ideal if you want to combine northern lights hunting with a city break holiday. I'd recommend booking at least one guided aurora tour, particularly if the local weather forecast looks challenging.
The Norwegian coast: Best for a scenic Arctic voyage
Northern lights during a cruise along the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten. (Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic)
Best time to visit: September to March
If there's one northern lights experience I'd encourage people to consider, it's sailing along the Norwegian coast.
I've been fortunate enough to travel along this extraordinary coastline on several occasions, and there's something very special about watching the northern lights from the deck of a ship, surrounded by good company, mountains, fjords and the dark Arctic sea.
Operators such as Hurtigruten and HX offer voyages along the Norwegian coast, combining opportunities to see the northern lights with some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe. While Hurtigruten operates coastal voyages calling at towns and communities along the route, HX offers expedition-style experiences with a focus on exploring the natural environment.
Arctic Norway during the winter months offers truly stunning views. Photo captured during a Hurtigruten voyage. (Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic)
Rather than staying in one location, you'll travel through different coastal landscapes, with opportunities to experience Arctic wildlife, local culture and winter excursions along the way.
And then, of course, there's the possibility of the northern lights appearing overhead.
Join me on a northern lights voyage!
(Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic)
I'll be setting sail on a handful of Hurtigruten's astronomy voyages as a guest lecturer, sharing the science and wonder of the northern lights along the way.
However, there's an important trade-off. Unlike a land-based aurora chase, a ship can't simply drive inland to escape coastal cloud cover. You're largely dependent on the weather along your route, although traveling through different regions over several nights gives you multiple opportunities.
Hurtigruten also offers a Northern Lights Promise on qualifying voyages, providing a complimentary return voyage if the lights aren't officially sighted during your trip. Be sure to check the eligibility requirements and terms before booking.
My tip: Choose a Norwegian coastal voyage because you want to experience the coastline itself. The scenery, communities and Arctic landscapes make it a remarkable journey regardless of auroras.
Finnish Lapland: Best for a winter wonderland getaway
Best time to visit: September to March
If you dream of a northern lights holiday involving snow-covered forests, cozy cabins and perhaps even watching auroras from a glass-roofed igloo, Finnish Lapland could be the perfect choice.
Northern Finland lies beneath the auroral oval, making it a popular destination for aurora chasers. Places such as Inari, Saariselkä and Ivalo offer excellent access to dark skies and Arctic wilderness.
Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, is another popular option, particularly for families, although it's worth traveling away from the city's lights for the best views.
My tip: For a quieter, more wilderness-focused escape, I'd look at northern Lapland around Inari or Saariselkä. If you're traveling with children or want a more activity-packed holiday, Rovaniemi may be a better fit.
Iceland: Best for volcanoes, glaciers and natural wonders
Iceland offers beautiful backgrounds for aurora photography if the weather behaves. (Image credit: Xiu Huo via Getty Images)
Iceland is one of the most extraordinary places I've ever visited. What makes it particularly special is the sheer variety of landscapes packed into one country, from towering waterfalls and vast glaciers to active volcanoes, black-sand beaches and steaming geothermal pools. There's an incredible amount to explore between northern lights hunting sessions.
But there's a catch.
Iceland's notoriously changeable weather and frequent cloud cover can make aurora hunting challenging. For that reason, I'd consider Iceland one of the riskier destinations on this list if your main objective is seeing the northern lights.
Iceland's landscapes provide some of the most spectacular backdrops imaginable for aurora photography, and when the skies cooperate, the results can be breathtaking.
The key is flexibility. I'd recommend giving yourself several nights and booking a northern lights tour that can travel in search of clearer skies rather than relying on a single fixed viewing location.
And while I've visited Iceland myself, I haven't been there specifically to chase auroras. What I can say from experience is that the country is absolutely worth visiting regardless of whether the lights appear.
My tip: Visit Iceland because you want to see Iceland, not just the northern lights. Explore its waterfalls, glaciers and volcanic landscapes, and treat any aurora sightings as an extraordinary bonus.
Fairbanks, Alaska: Best for a U.S. aurora getaway
Fairbanks, Alaska offers some great northern lights experiences. (Image credit: Stanley Chen / 500px via Getty Images)
Best time to visit: September to March
For U.S.-based travelers dreaming of seeing the northern lights, Fairbanks is a more convenient travel destination than Scandinavia.
Located in Alaska's interior, Fairbanks sits beneath the auroral oval. Its inland location is a major advantage compared to many coastal Arctic destinations; Fairbanks generally experiences less precipitation and more opportunities for clearer skies.
Alaska is the perfect destination for North American aurora chasers seeking wild landscapes and the northern lights. (Image credit: Haizhan Zheng via Getty Images)
The official aurora-viewing season runs from Aug. 21 to April 21, providing a long window for planning a trip. However, if you're visiting in late August or early September, be prepared for some late nights. With daylight still lingering well into the evening, the sky may not become dark enough for good aurora viewing until around midnight or later.
The advantage of visiting earlier in the season is that temperatures are generally much milder compared to in the depths of winter. But if you would prefer longer nights and more opportunities to spot auroras, consider a trip between late September and March.
Yellowknife, Canada: Best for a Canadian aurora getaway
Auroras over Prosperous Lake about 20 miles north of Yellowknife. (Image credit: Valerie Ann Pond via Getty Images)
Best time to visit: Mid-August to late September and mid-November to early April
For Canadian travelers hoping to see the northern lights, Yellowknife offers an incredible aurora-viewing destination without the need to travel overseas.
Situated beneath the auroral oval, Yellowknife benefits from a relatively dry continental climate, with plenty of opportunities for clear skies compared with some coastal Arctic locations.
However, timing your visit carefully can make a difference. Although auroras are visible throughout the dark months, late October and early November are generally a less favorable period for a dedicated aurora trip. As temperatures drop, heavy cloud systems move through the area, making sightings more challenging. Indeed, some tour operators temporarily reduce their activities during this period. This is when the region receives most of its snowfall, so shifting your aurora viewing plans before or after this period gives you considerably better visibility.
My tip: Consider booking a multi-night package or several guided outings to give yourself more opportunities if the weather doesn't cooperate.
When is the best time to see the northern lights?
The northern lights occur throughout the year, but you need sufficiently dark skies to see them. That's why the main aurora tourism season across much of the Arctic runs from roughly late August or September through March or early April.
March and September are particularly good months for aurora hunting, thanks to a seasonal boost in geomagnetic activity around the spring and autumn equinoxes. This is partly explained by the Russell-McPherron effect, which describes how the changing orientation of Earth's magnetic field relative to the magnetic field carried by the solar wind makes geomagnetic disturbances more likely around the equinoxes. A 75-year study by retired NASA solar physicist David Hathaway shows that March has more geomagnetically active days than any other month of the year (with October a close second), according to Spaceweather.com.
But personally, I prefer hunting for auroras in the depths of winter, particularly December and January, when the long, dark nights give me plenty of opportunities to look for the lights. Yes, it's much colder, but I love the snowy Arctic landscapes, and I'd much rather be standing in a winter wonderland than battling driving rain!
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to see the northern lights for the first time?
For a first northern lights trip, I'd particularly recommend Abisko or Kiruna in Swedish Lapland or Tromsø in northern Norway.
Abisko is appealing for its relatively favorable local weather conditions, while Tromsø offers a great combination of guided aurora tours, accommodation and other Arctic activities.
The best choice depends on what kind of holiday you're looking for.
How many nights should you book to see the northern lights?
I'd recommend at least three or four nights, although a week gives you more flexibility if the weather doesn't cooperate. That said, on my first trip, I stayed for just two nights, with an aurora tour booked for only one of them, and got lucky with a dazzling display. So really, my advice is simple: book as many nights as you can!
Remember, even in the world's most famous aurora destinations, sightings are never guaranteed.
Can you see the northern lights during a full moon?
Absolutely! This is one of the most common northern lights myths.
A bright full moon can wash out faint auroras, but stronger displays remain visible and can look spectacular against a moonlit landscape.
I've personally witnessed beautiful auroras under bright moonlight, and the additional illumination can make the surrounding scenery particularly striking in photographs.
Abisko auroras under a full moon. The northern lights were still visible and the moon illuminated the entire landscape. (Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic)
Can you see the northern lights in summer?
Auroras occur year-round, but in high-latitude destinations such as northern Norway, Sweden and Finland, the summer nights are generally too bright to see them.
As darkness returns in late August and September, the northern lights become visible again.
Is the 2026/27 season a good time to see the northern lights?
Yes. Although Solar Cycle 25 has passed its maximum, the sun remains in an active phase of its approximately 11-year cycle.
Spectacular aurora displays can still occur during the declining phase of the solar cycle, so there's plenty of reason to plan a northern lights adventure over the next year or two.
And remember, at destinations beneath the auroral oval, you don't need a major solar storm to see the northern lights.
Ultimately, the best northern lights trip isn't necessarily the one with the strongest forecast or the highest latitude. It's the one that combines a little planning, a lot of patience and a destination you'll love exploring — whether the auroras show up or not.
Just when you thought the sun might be taking a breather, it's unleashed another powerful eruption — and the northern lights forecast just got even more promising.
A fourth coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the sun on Oct. 8, during a powerful M-class solar flare from the restless sunspot region AR4549. That brings the number of CMEs potentially heading Earth's way to four, raising the possibility of further geomagnetic activity and aurora displays over the coming days.
Early analysis suggests the latest CME could potentially catch up with the third CME on its way towards Earth.
Will the northern lights be visible in the U.S.?
NOAA's aurora forecast suggests auroral activity could be enhanced across northern North America. Exactly how far south the aurora might appear remains uncertain and depends on how the incoming CMEs interact with Earth's magnetic field.
G2 geomagnetic storm conditions are forecast for Oct. 9 and during such storms, auroras have previously been observed as far south as New York and Idaho.
While northern U.S. states currently have the best prospects, skywatchers farther south shouldn't completely write off their chances just yet. With multiple CMEs approaching Earth in quick succession, there's still considerable uncertainty over how geomagnetic conditions will develop. If the incoming eruptions interact favorably with Earth's magnetic field, auroras could potentially reach much farther south than currently anticipated.
Auroras possible across the northern U.S. tonight (after midnight UTC). (Image credit: Inset map: NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, background added in Canva Pro.)
So if you're at mid-latitudes, make sure those aurora alerts are switched on and your camera batteries are charged. This could be an interesting few days for northern lights enthusiasts!
For real-time forecasts based on your location, consider using a space weather app. A great option is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts" (available foriOS andAndroid). For a deeper dive into space weather conditions, "Space Weather Live" is another excellent choice (available foriOS andAndroid)
Aurora forecast for the Northern Hemisphere courtesy of the U.K. Met Office
When should you look for the northern lights?
NOAA's latest 3-day forecast now places the strongest geomagnetic activity later on Oct. 9 than previously anticipated.
Minor (G1) geomagnetic storm conditions are forecast between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. EDT (1200and 1800 GMT), with moderate (G2) conditionspredicted between 2 and 8 p.m. EDT (1800 and midnight GMT).
Further activity is possible over the weekend, with NOAA currently forecasting minor (G1) conditions between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. EDT on Oct. 10-11 (0300-0600 GMT Oct. 11).
For those wishing to catch some auroras, the advice remains the same! Keep your aurora alerts switched on and check conditions whenever skies are dark and clear. These forecast windows are not set in stone, particularly when multiple CMEs are involved!
When could the CMEs arrive?
Model showing the predicted arrival times for the incoming CMEs. (Image credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center)
This is where things get complicated.
Current modelling suggests the first CMEs could reach Earth on Oct. 9.
Space weather physicist Tamitha Skov notes that the two Oct. 6 CMEs could reach Earth in relatively quick succession, delivering a one-two punch to Earth's magnetic field. However, their journey may be influenced by the surrounding solar wind, making precise arrival times difficult to pin down.
The third CME could follow late Oct. 10 or early Oct. 11 (UTC), potentially prolonging unsettled geomagnetic activity and aurora prospects into the weekend.
And now there's a fourth CME to consider. Early analysis suggests this latest eruption is traveling faster than some of its predecessors, raising the possibility that it could catch up with the third CME before reaching Earth. The 'cannibal CME' could further complicate the timings and strength of resulting geomagnetic activity.
And remember, even an Earth-directed CME doesn't guarantee a spectacular aurora display. Much will depend on how the magnetic fields carried by these eruptions interact with Earth's magnetic field when they arrive.
With AR4549 still magnetically complex and facing Earth, more solar activity could be on the way. The sun sure is keeping us on our toes this week!
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include a fourth coronal mass ejection (CME) that erupted from the sun on Oct. 8, along with the latest geomagnetic storm forecasts and revised arrival estimates.
Astrophotographer Mark Johnston captured the sun in remarkable detail from his backyard in Arizona. (Image credit: Mark Johnston)
A spectacular series of glowing plasma loops arcs above the sun in this remarkable view captured from an astrophotographer's backyard.
What is it?
This image is a still from a high-resolution timelapse captured by astrophotographer Mark Johnston from Scottsdale, Arizona on Aug. 21, 2026.
The footage shows a coronal loop arcade — a series of arching loops of hot plasma shaped by the sun's magnetic field — extending high above the solar limb, or apparent edge of the sun.
Johnston recorded the scene for more than two hours, from 7:56 a.m. to 10:12 a.m. local time. His footage reveals the movement of plasma within the loops, including 'coronal rain' as material cools and falls back towards the lower solar atmosphere along magnetic field lines.
The sequence was captured using a TEC160FL refractor equipped with specialized hydrogen-alpha (H-alpha) solar imaging equipment, which helps reveal structures in the sun's atmosphere that would otherwise be very difficult to see.
Why is it incredible?
Coronal loop arcades like this one are a rare sight, but Johnston was particularly lucky to catch this one almost side-on at the edge of the sun, revealing the dramatic arching shape in exquisite detail.
"To see one AND catch it right on the limb AND have it happen on a clear day when I'm home and able to catch it was a real treat," Johnston told Space.com in an email.
Lucky for us, Johnston keeps a close eye on our star. The first thing he does each morning is check real-time imagery from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to see what the sun is up to.
"One day I saw this and leapt out of bed and dashed to get set up to capture it," Johnston said.
And this isn't the first spectacular solar show Johnston has captured from his backyard. Back in June, he imaged a colossal 'Godzilla' plasma cloud seemingly stalking the edge of the sun, complete with streams of coronal rains cascading back towards the solar surface.
August's 96% partial lunar eclipse has been and gone, putting on a mesmerizing show for stargazers across the night side of Earth as out planet's shadow slipped silently across the face of the moon, forcing it to adopt a striking crimson hue at the point of maximum eclipse.
Tonight (Aug. 27-28), the full Sturgeon Moon will slip into Earth's shadow, creating a stunning "almost blood moon" as up to 96.2% of the lunar surface disappears into the darkest part of our planet's shadow, the umbra.
At maximum eclipse, much of the moon may take on an eerie reddish hue as sunlight filtered through Earth's atmosphere is refracted into the shadow and onto the lunar surface. Only a thin sliver of moon will escape Earth's umbra, appearing as a bright arc against an otherwise dim, rusty-red lunar disk.
Lunar eclipses are entirely safe to watch with the naked eye. Unlike a solar eclipse, you don't need filters or certified glasses. Just find the moon at the right time, then simply sit back, relax and enjoy the show. If you can't watch the eclipse in person, you can watch all the action unfold here on Space.com with these free livestreams, weather permitting. You can also follow along with the latest updates with our lunar eclipse live blog.
Who can see it?
The partial lunar eclipse favors observers across North and South America. About 12% of the world's population — 987 million people — will be able to see all phases of the eclipse, according to Time and Date, weather permitting.
Skywatchers across parts of Europe and Africa will also see the lunar eclipse. However, for many observers, including those in the UK, the moon will set shortly after maximum eclipse, cutting off the later stages of the partial phase.
When to look
A map of the lunar eclipse on Aug. 27-28, 2026. Click the arrows in the bottom-left corner to expand to full screen. (Image credit: F. Espenak, NASA's GSFC)
The eclipse reaches its maximum at 12:12 a.m. EDT (0412 GMT) on Aug. 28, when 96.2% of the lunar surface will be covered by Earth's dark umbral shadow.
But if you have the time, it's worth settling in to watch as much of the eclipse as possible, particularly from the start of the partial phase at around 10:33 p.m. EDT on Aug. 27 (0233 GMT on Aug. 28).
The penumbral phase begins earlier, at 9:23 p.m. EDT on Aug. 27 (0123 GMT on Aug. 28), but the initial dimming will be extremely subtle because Earth's outer penumbral shadow is so faint.
I'd recommend starting your observations when the partial phase starts. From then on, you'll see Earth's shadow take progressively larger "bites" out of the moon. It can almost feel like watching the moon's monthly phases sped up into just a few hours as its appearance changes before your eyes.
Editor's Note: If you capture a photo of the August lunar eclipse and want to share it with Space.com's readers, then please send your photo(s), comments, name and location to spacephotos@space.com.
Aurora chasers are on alert after NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm watch for Friday (Aug. 28), as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) launched from the sun yesterday (Aug. 25) head toward Earth.
The CME arrival follows a powerful M6.9 solar flare from restless sunspot region 4513 on Aug. 25. NOAA's SWPC has also issued a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm watch for Thursday (Aug. 27), as a stream of fast solar wind from a coronal hole is expected to buffet Earth ahead of the incoming CMEs
The M6.98 solar flare erupted from the active sunspot region 4513 and peaked at 6 a.m. EDT (1000 GMT), according to SpaceWeatherLive. 4513 has been particularly active over the previous 24 hours, firing off a barrage of solar flares including five powerful M-class eruptions. Solar flares are ranked by strength into five classes — A, B, C, M and X — with each class 10 times more powerful than the one before it. M-class flares are the second-strongest category, sitting just below the most powerful X-class eruptions.
The eruption also triggered a moderate (R2) radio blackout across the sunlit side of Earth, affecting high-frequency radio communications over parts of Africa, Europe and the Arctic.
High-frequency radio blackouts from the M-class solar flare on Aug. 25. (Image credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center)
CME incoming and possible northern lights?
The M6.9 flare wasn't the only eruption to launch material into space on Aug. 25. Several CMEs left the sun that day and NOAA's SWPC now anticipates their arrival at Earth.
NOAA's SWPC has issued a moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm watch for Aug. 28.
Before then, a coronal hole high-speed stream is forecast to reach Earth, prompting a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm watch for Aug. 27. NOAA forecasts isolated G1 to G2 conditions across Aug. 27-28 due to the combined influence of the high-speed solar wind stream and the incoming CME activity.
During G2 geomagnetic storm conditions, the northern lights can push farther south than usual, potentially becoming visible across parts of the northern U.S. and northern Europe.
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a geomagnetic storm watch for Aug. 27-28. (Image credit: NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center)
If the glancing CME arrival coincides with the high-speed solar wind stream, the two influences could work together to ramp up geomagnetic activity and potentially enhance aurora activity.
How much of an impact the CME ultimately has will depend on its exact arrival time and, crucially, the orientation of its magnetic field when it reaches Earth. A strong southward magnetic field would interact more effectively with Earth's magnetic field, increasing the chances of stronger geomagnetic activity.
We'll be keeping a close eye on the latest models and space weather forecasts as Friday approaches and will update this story as more information becomes available.
Editor's note: This story was updated on Aug. 26 at 4:00 a.m. EDT (0800 GMT) to include NOAA's latest forecast and geomagnetic storm watches for Aug. 27 and Aug. 28.
August's 96% partial lunar eclipse has been and gone, putting on a mesmerizing show for stargazers across the night side of Earth as out planet's shadow slipped silently across the face of the moon, forcing it to adopt a striking crimson hue at the point of maximum eclipse.
A dramatic partial lunar eclipse will occur tonight (Aug. 27-28), with almost the entire moon slipping into Earth's shadow.
At its peak, at 12:12 a.m. EDT (0412 GMT) on Aug. 28, 96.2% of the lunar surface will be covered by Earth's dark umbral shadow, leaving only a slender portion of the moon directly illuminated by the sun. The rest of the lunar surface may take on an eerie reddish-orange hue, creating an impressive 'almost blood moon'. The eclipse will be visible from North and South America, Europe and Africa, though exactly how much you'll see will depend on your location (and clouds!).
The eclipse begins when the moon enters Earth's faint outer shadow at 9:23 p.m. EDT on Aug. 27 (0123 GMT on Aug. 28).
Things get much more interesting at 10:33 p.m. EDT (0233 GMT), when the partial eclipse begins and Earth's dark umbral shadow starts to creep across the lunar surface.
Maximum eclipse occurs at 12:12 a.m. EDT (0412 GMT) on Aug. 28, when 96.2% of the moon will be immersed in Earth's umbra.
The partial phase ends at 1:51 a.m. EDT (0551 GMT), with the penumbral eclipse concluding at 3:01 a.m. EDT (0701 GMT).
A map of the lunar eclipse on Aug. 27-28, 2026. Click the arrows in the bottom left corner to expand to full screen. (Image credit: F. Espenak, NASA's GSFC)
North and South America are particularly well-placed for the entire eclipse.
For European skywatchers, the eclipse takes place during the early morning of Aug. 28, with the moon setting while the partial eclipse is still underway. From London, maximum eclipse occurs at 5:12 a.m. BST, just over an hour before moonset.
How to view the lunar eclipse
Unlike a solar eclipse, you don't need any special equipment to view a lunar eclipse. Simply head outside and look up. If you own binoculars or a telescope, take a look through them for an even better view of Earth's shadow sweeping across the lunar surface.
Editor's Note: If you capture a photo of the August lunar eclipse and want to share it with Space.com's readers, then please send your photo(s), comments, name and location to spacephotos@space.com.
The countdown is on for the deep partial lunar eclipse of Aug. 27-28. Over the next week, we'll be bringing you the latest eclipse news, viewing tips as well as live updates throughout eclipse night.
Although this isn't quite a total lunar eclipse, it's pretty close! At maximum eclipse, 96.2% of the moon will slip into Earth's dark central shadow known as the umbra, according to Time and Date. Much of the moon may take on a rusty red hue, while a thin sliver remains brightly illuminated.
It's the deepest partial lunar eclipse visible anywhere on Earth until Dec. 31, 2028, making it a must-see event worth staying up late — or setting an alarm early — for.
1 week to go until the deepest partial lunar eclipse until 2028
The partial phase of a lunar eclipse captured over Sydney in September 2025. (Image credit: Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP via Getty Images)
We're officially one week away from one of the best skywatching events of the year!
On the evening of Aug. 27 (for North America), or the early hours of Aug. 28 (for western Europe), Earth's shadow will creep across the full moon during a very deep partial lunar eclipse. At maximum eclipse, 96.2% of the moon will be immersed in Earth's dark central shadow.
The eclipse will be visible, at least in some part, from North and South America, Europe, Africa and parts of western Asia, weather permitting. Observers in the Americas are well-positioned for the best views while skywatchers across Europe will need to look toward the western horizon before sunrise as the eclipse reaches its peak.
Why this partial lunar eclipse is one you won't want to miss
Craters and lunar seas mark the lunar surface during a deep lunar eclipse. (Image credit: Orchidpoet via Getty Images)
When most people hear the words "partial lunar eclipse," they might often assume it will be less impressive than a total eclipse, and not really worth the effort to try and see it. But the Aug. 27-28 eclipse is anything but ordinary.
At maximum eclipse, 96.2% of the moon will be immersed in Earth's umbra, the darkest part of our planet's shadow. That means only a thin sliver of the lunar surface will remain directly illuminated by the sun, while the rest of the moon will take on a deep reddish-orange hue.
If you miss this one, you'll have to wait until Dec. 31, 2028 for another lunar eclipse that rivals it in spectacle. So whether you're planning on staying up late in the US or setting your alarms early in Europe, this is one skywatching show that's well worth making time for!
Where will the Aug. 27-28 partial lunar eclipse be visible?
The partial phase of a lunar eclipse captured over Canada in 2025. (Image credit: Photo by Chen Shaojin/VCG via Getty Images)
The good news is that unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse can be seen from anywhere the moon is above the horizon. That means millions of skywatchers worldwide will have a chance to witness at least part of the Aug. 27-28 eclipse, weather permitting.
The best views will be from North and South America, where the entire eclipse will be visible. Across Europe and Africa, the eclipse takes place before dawn on Aug. 28, with the moon setting during the latter stages of the event.
A lunar eclipse captured over the United Kingdom in 2007. (Image credit: Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
One of the wonderful things about a lunar eclipse is that it can be witnessed by everyone who happens to be on the night side of Earth as it occurs, weather permitting.
You don't need any special equipment like eclipse glasses to enjoy the show. Simply step outside and look up to see Earth's curved inner shadow crawl across the moon in a spectacular display of orbital mechanics.
Want a closer look? No problem! It's completely safe to point a pair of binoculars or a telescope at the moon during a lunar eclipse. Doing so will give you a magnified view of the colossal craters and dark lunar seas that mark the moon's near side as they fall within the umbral shadow.
3 days to go! Here's everything you need to know
3 days until the partial lunar eclipse, here's everything you need to know. (Image credit: Eclipse inset: Giovanni Bortolani via Getty Images. Royalty Free. Graphic created in Canva Pro.)
The deep partial lunar eclipse is just a few days away, so now is the perfect time to start planning how you're going to view the "almost blood moon".
At maximum eclipse, 96.2% of the moon's surface will be covered by Earth's dark central shadow known as the umbra. While the moon won't be completely eclipsed — so this isn't technically a "blood moon" — much of the lunar surface is expected to take on a reddish-orange hue, with just a thin sliver remaining brightly illuminated.
What will happen during each stage of the partial lunar eclipse?
A partial lunar eclipse turns the moon red in the skies over Sri Lanka. (Image credit: Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A partial lunar eclipse has five distinct phases that occur simultaneously for everyone on the night side of Earth as our planet slips between the sun and its natural satellite during the full moon phase.
The eclipse begins as Earth's outer penumbral shadow subtly darkens the moon, after which the inner umbral shadow reveals our planet's curved silhouette as it advances across the lunar disk.
(Image credit: Created in Canva Pro by Daisy Dobrijevic)
Planning to watch the deep partial lunar eclipse this week? You'll want to make sure you're looking up at the right time.
The eclipse begins at 9:23 p.m. EDT on Aug. 27 (0123 GMT on Aug. 28), when the moon enters Earth's faint outer shadow, known as the penumbra. From then, the eclipse will deepen and become more visible over several hours as the moon passes into Earth's darker umbral shadow, ultimately leaving 96.2% of the lunar surface covered at its peak.
