planets

Attention is turning to COP31, the upcoming UN climate summit to be hosted in Türkiye, with a widespread call that 'it is time to change our planet.' The message is drawing millions of engagements globally, reflecting public pressure on world leaders ahead of the talks. Commenters are framing the summit as a decisive moment for stronger climate action and emissions commitments.

British composer George Fenton has died at the age of 76. He was known for scores to films including The Fisher King, Groundhog Day and Dangerous Liaisons, and for landmark natural history series such as Planet Earth and Blue Planet. Fenton was one of Britain's most respected film and television composers, with a career spanning decades and numerous award nominations.

French-language interest around the word 'planète' is being driven largely by coverage of the search for fossils on Mars. Reports focus on how scientists are looking for traces of ancient life in Martian rock, a question at the heart of current exploration of the red planet.

Venus (Shukra) is set to go retrograde in Libra on Sunday night, according to Indian astrology coverage. Reports note the planet's position will shift several times until 23 November, with horoscope forecasts for all 12 zodiac signs. Some outlets claim the retrograde phase will favour certain signs for 42 days, fulfilling wishes and big ambitions.

Forecasters have issued a G2 geomagnetic storm watch after a powerful solar eruption sent charged material toward Earth. The disturbance is expected to reach the planet's magnetic field, potentially triggering displays of the northern lights visible across the northern United States. Moderate storm levels can also affect satellite operations and power grids at high latitudes.

Spanish media report that astronomers have found evidence of a planet that appears to have formed after its host star died, built from material the star expelled during its death. Outlets including MARCA, ABC and El Debate describe it as a 'second-generation' or 'phoenix planet', a world that rose from the ashes of its dead star. If confirmed, it would be an unusual case of planetary formation around a stellar remnant.

A widely viewed science explainer is claiming that something unusual is currently happening on Mars, though no specific discovery is detailed beyond the headline claim. The piece has drawn millions of likes, suggesting strong public interest in Martian anomalies and space exploration news. Without further specifics, it is unclear what exact phenomenon or finding the claim refers to.

Scientists are expressing concern about a potential El Niño event in 2026, warning the climate pattern could bring extreme weather worldwide, including heatwaves, droughts, floods and disrupted monsoons. The BBC's Global Story examines what researchers know so far, why the timing matters, and how a warming planet may intensify El Niño's effects on food supplies, economies and vulnerable communities across the globe.

Astronomers report a possible planet in the habitable zone of a star roughly 2,000 degrees hotter than our Sun, a rare find given such stars' intense radiation. If confirmed, it would show planets can survive around very hot stars, prompting discussion about how habitable zones work around extreme hosts.

Saturn reached opposition on Sunday, October 4, meaning the planet is directly opposite the Sun from Earth's perspective. Astronomers note this is when Saturn appears brightest and largest in telescopes, remaining visible all night. Skywatchers are being encouraged to look for the ringed planet, which rises at sunset and stays up until dawn during opposition.

Planet Fitness has acquired the Body Xchange Health Club locations in Bakersfield, California, according to KBAK. The deal brings the local gym chain's clubs under the national fitness brand's ownership. Details on the terms of the acquisition and what it means for existing Body Xchange members have not been made public yet.

Motorsport outlet PlanetF1 is highlighting the Singapore Grand Prix's record for dramatic races and varied winners, noting the Marina Bay street circuit has produced thrillers with many different drivers taking victory. The post, timed around the Singapore race weekend, invites fans to reflect on past editions of the night race. Formula 1 followers are engaging with memories of unpredictable results at the demanding street circuit.

Sky watchers are looking ahead to October 2026's night sky events, led by Saturn reaching opposition on the night of October 3–4, when the planet is closest and brightest and its rings are shown at their best. The date is drawing attention from astronomy enthusiasts planning observations of the ringed planet.

Bloomsbury has published 'Going Going Gone', a book profiling 100 animals and plants at risk of extinction. It notes that humans share the planet with an estimated eight to ten million species, most still undescribed, with only about two million documented so far. Readers are discussing the scale of the biodiversity crisis the book draws attention to.

A new study co-authored by SETI Institute affiliate Mohit Melwani Daswani addresses a long-standing puzzle about Mars: the planet shows signs of a wet past, yet its carbonate rock record is sparse. The research suggests groundwater may have carried much of that carbonate material underground, meaning future missions could find evidence of Mars' wetter history beneath the surface rather than in exposed rocks.

Elon Musk has returned to trillionaire status and remains the richest person on the planet, according to a Fortune report. The news is being shared widely in investing and personal finance circles, with commentary focused on the scale of his wealth and its ties to Tesla and SpaceX. Some reactions also reference reports that he gave away large sums, adding to debate over his fortune.

A new study reported by 404 Media concludes that the solar system is terminally unstable and will eventually be completely destroyed, challenging the common picture of orderly planetary orbits. The findings suggest tiny gravitational perturbations among planets compound over vast timescales, making the system's long-term fate inherently chaotic.

A physics professor at Albion College has published research that adds to scientific understanding of how impacts affect Earth. The work contributes to the broader study of meteorite and asteroid collisions with the planet, a field relevant to planetary science and impact risk assessment. Details of the findings and funding have not been widely reported so far.

NASA's science blog has published a new piece asking whether a journey to the depths of ancient Mars is possible, inviting readers to consider what lies beneath the planet's surface and what it could reveal about Mars's early history. The post is being shared among space enthusiasts, who are discussing the planet's interior and the questions it still holds.