Dark Space

Scientists have identified the first comet in data from ESA's Euclid space telescope, announced by the Euclid consortium alongside a web story from the European Space Agency. The discovery shows the dark universe survey mission is also proving valuable for spotting Solar System objects as it maps the sky.

The European Space Agency's Euclid space telescope has discovered its first previously unknown comet, designated C/2026 S1 (Euclid). The find was made in images taken between 16 and 24 September 2026 and announced via the Euclid mission team at Caltech. It marks the mission's first comet discovery, adding to Euclid's role surveying the sky beyond its main dark matter and dark energy goals.

A Washington, D.C. event is being held to raise awareness about suicide, under the 'Out of the Darkness' banner. Organizers aim to bring the issue into the open, encourage conversation about mental health, and support those affected by suicide loss. Coverage from local outlet WAMU highlights the gathering and its focus on prevention.

The European Space Agency's Euclid space telescope has made its first comet discovery, with Chris Pattison of the Royal Astronomical Society explaining the background in a new video. Euclid, launched to map the dark universe, is being shown to be capable of spotting solar system objects as well, and astronomers are discussing what the finding means for the mission's wider scientific reach.

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has been recognised by Time Magazine as one of the Best Inventions of 2026. The observatory, designed to survey wide areas of the sky and study dark energy and distant planets, is drawing attention ahead of its launch. The honour highlights expectations that the telescope will rank among the most significant scientific instruments of the decade.

Space enthusiasts are sharing images and details of the Heart Nebula (Sh2-190), an emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia roughly 7,500 light-years from Earth. It contains the open cluster IC 1805 at its centre, along with numerous dark nebulae, and takes its name from its heart-like shape when photographed through telescopes.

A Cassini spacecraft view of Saturn is drawing attention for its striking lighting geometry. The image shows dark bands across Saturn's northern hemisphere, formed by shadows cast by the planet's extensive ring system, while the icy moon Tethys appears as a small sphere nearby. Space enthusiasts are sharing the perspective as a vivid illustration of how the rings sculpt light across the Saturnian system.

An amateur astronomer named Lawrence Green has shared a 55-minute exposure of NGC 292, the Small Magellanic Cloud, shot near Mount Cook in New Zealand. The image was assembled from 10-second sub-exposures taken in altazimuth mode, with light post-processing in Lightroom. Space photography enthusiasts are sharing and appreciating the clarity achieved from a portable setup under New Zealand's dark southern skies.

The European Space Agency and the International Astronomical Union's Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky have signed an agreement at the International Astronautical Congress to strengthen cooperation. The partnership will focus on developing measures to protect the night sky from light pollution and radio interference, concerns that have grown sharply with the rapid expansion of satellite mega-constellations.

A widely shared reflection celebrates humanity's habit of looking into the vast, silent darkness of space and trying to understand the beginning of its own existence, even without the vocabulary to fully describe it. The post frames the unknown gaps not as failures but as something worth pursuing during our brief time here, striking a chord with readers moved by the mix of cosmic humility and determination.

The European Space Agency's Euclid space telescope has discovered its first comet, officially designated C/2026 S1 (Euclid). The announcement, made by the Euclid consortium, marks a notable bonus for the mission, which was designed to map the universe's dark matter and dark energy rather than hunt comets. Astronomy enthusiasts are sharing the news and the telescope's observations of the new object.

Chicago teenagers have converted a Chicago Park District space into a haunted house for the 16th annual "Park After Dark" event. The teen-led Halloween attraction marks another year of the long-running seasonal tradition, with local coverage highlighting the young people behind the transformation of the park facility.

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is performing nearly 30% better than expected, according to reports. Engineers achieved the sharper performance through incredibly tiny adjustments that improved the observatory's view. The result suggests the telescope, designed to study dark energy and survey the sky, could deliver stronger science data than originally planned. The news is drawing attention among space and science followers.