Anak Krakatau, an active volcano in Indonesia, has erupted with significant force. The eruption sent a large column of ash high into the atmosphere. Thousands of flights were disrupted as a result of the volcanic activity. Air quality in the surrounding region also deteriorated due to the ash and emissions released.
Jaden Caradine, who first developed a passion for engineering at age eight, pursued a non-traditional route to the field before eventually enrolling at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His journey included a stint in the Marine Corps before he transitioned into aerospace studies. Caradine secured a Pathways internship at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, marking a significant milestone in his engineering career. The Pathways program provides students and recent graduates with opportunities to work within federal agencies like NASA. Caradine's story highlights how military service and academic persistence can converge into a career in aerospace.
NASA has issued a call for proposals aimed at advancing technologies needed to explore the Moon and build a permanent base near the lunar South Pole. The solicitation was announced on Tuesday, September 8, and targets critical capability gaps in lunar infrastructure. Key areas of focus include power generation, oxygen extraction, and the production of construction materials directly on the Moon. These developments are intended to support long-term human presence and operations on the lunar surface.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope photographed nebula N44 in the Large Magellanic Cloud on September 3, 2026. The nebula is defined by two prominent structures: a large central cavity and a surrounding shell of dense, dusty gas. The central cavity, known as a superbubble, measures approximately 210 by 140 light-years in size. N44 also features clusters of bright stars that contribute to its visually striking appearance.
A computational technique originally developed by NASA for processing satellite imagery is now being applied to the study of ancient visual artifacts. The algorithm enhances and clarifies details in historical images that would otherwise remain difficult or impossible to discern with the naked eye. Researchers have repurposed the technology to uncover hidden or degraded elements in ancient artwork, manuscripts, or archaeological records. The adaptation represents a significant crossover between modern space technology and the field of historical and archaeological research.
More than 1,000 people engaged with NASA sea level research at a special World Ocean Day event on June 6, 2026. The event was held at the University of Georgia Aquarium, located on Skidaway Island. Visitors had the opportunity to explore NASA's ocean science work firsthand. The occasion aligned with the globally observed World Ocean Day, highlighting public interest in ocean and climate research.
NASA scientists have for the first time combined the observational power of the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes to study Trans-Neptunian Objects, the distant bodies orbiting beyond Neptune. The joint effort allowed researchers to directly observe some of the smallest and faintest TNOs ever detected. Unexpectedly, the survey found fewer small TNOs than scientific models had predicted. The findings suggest these remote objects may retain a 'memory' of past conditions or collisional history in the outer solar system. The research marks a significant step in understanding the formation and evolution of the solar system's outermost regions.
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) for September 8, 2026, features a Hubble Space Telescope image revealing a decagonal, or ten-sided, formation around Saturn's south pole. The image was selected as part of APOD's daily showcase of notable astronomical photographs, each accompanied by an explanation from a professional astronomer. Saturn is already known for its famous hexagonal storm system at its north pole, making this southern polar geometric pattern a subject of significant scientific interest. The Hubble Space Telescope captured the imagery, continuing its long history of providing detailed observations of planets within our solar system.
Vasquez Rocks, located in the Soledad Basin, features striking layers of sedimentary rock that protrude from the ground at dramatic angles. The unusual geological formations have made the site a popular filming location for television and film productions over the years. Among the notable productions drawn to the site is the iconic science fiction franchise Star Trek. NASA has highlighted the location for its distinctly otherworldly visual character.
APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 September 7 – The… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. The Pelican […]
A NASA satellite has captured a rare clear view of Mount Michael, an active volcano located on Saunders Island in the remote South Atlantic Ocean. The image reveals a bright spot indicative of ongoing volcanic activity at the summit. The sighting was made possible as cloud cover dissipated near the end of the austral winter season. Mount Michael is one of the few volcanoes known to host a persistent lava lake, making such observations scientifically significant. Remote location and frequent cloud cover typically make regular monitoring of the volcano difficult.
APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 September 5 –… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Chasing the Moon’s […]
The fire department at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley is conducting aircraft firefighting training at Moffett Federal Airfield. The drills are scheduled to run from Tuesday, September 8 through Friday, September 11. Training sessions will take place daily between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. PDT. The exercises will make use of a propane-fueled aircraft fire simulator to replicate real-world emergency scenarios.
NASA will hold a free virtual webinar on Friday, October 2, at 2 p.m., focused on the RS-25 engine and the future of its Artemis missions. The approximately two-hour session is open to the general public but has been specifically designed to be accessible for blind and low-vision participants. The event is titled 'The RS-25 Engine and the Future of Artemis Missions: An Accessible Webinar for the Blind and Low-Vision Community.' The initiative reflects NASA's broader effort to make space exploration content inclusive and available to audiences with visual disabilities.
On June 17, skywatchers across the United States and parts of Canada witnessed a rare daytime lunar occultation of Venus. A lunar occultation occurs when the Moon passes directly in front of another celestial body, temporarily blocking it from view as seen from Earth. In this event, the Moon moved in front of Venus, concealing the bright planet for a short period. Such daytime occultations are considered uncommon celestial events, making it a notable occasion for astronomy enthusiasts across North America.
APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 September 4 – Na… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Nā ʻUhane […]
NASA has observed three tropical cyclones active at the same time across the Pacific Ocean. The unusual clustering of storms made the Pacific basin particularly active during this period. In contrast, the Atlantic Ocean remained notably quiet with no comparable storm activity. Such simultaneous multi-cyclone events in the Pacific, while rare, can occur during periods of heightened atmospheric instability.
NASA will offer live coverage of the upcoming launch and docking of the Roscosmos Progress 96 cargo spacecraft. The uncrewed vessel is set to lift off at 12:15 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 9, from Baikonur. The spacecraft will deliver approximately three tons of food, fuel, and supplies to the International Space Station. No crew will be aboard the Progress 96 during its resupply mission to the orbiting station.
NASA's Curiosity rover encountered two distinct workspaces on Mars during the planning period of August 21, 2026, each containing geological features not previously observed in its 14-year mission. The rover documented broad, shallow pits on the Martian surface that puzzled the science team with their unfamiliar appearance. The observations were reported by Michelle Minitti, Deputy Principal Investigator for the MAHLI camera instrument. Despite over a decade of exploration, Mars continues to present Curiosity with new and unexpected terrain. The findings highlight the ongoing scientific value of the long-running rover mission.
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope successfully launched on August 30 at 7:26 a.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The telescope lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A. Roman is now on a three-month journey spanning approximately one million miles to reach its designated orbit. Once operational, the telescope is expected to help scientists uncover some of the universe's least understood phenomena.
