Astronomy 15 November 2025 - 21 January 2026

NASA satellite crash today: Van Allen Probe A heads for Earth years earlier than expected
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NASA satellite crash today: Van Allen Probe A heads for Earth years earlier than expected

NASA's retired Van Allen Probe A was expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere Tuesday evening, with debris possibly surviving the descent, according to the U.S. Space Force. NASA estimated a 1 in 4,200 chance of harm to people. The probe is returning years ahead of schedule due to increased atmospheric drag from solar activity. The exact timing and location of re-entry remain uncertain.
March 11, 2026
NASA interrupts TESS survey to track interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as SPHEREx spots stronger gases
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NASA interrupts TESS survey to track interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as SPHEREx spots stronger gases

NASA redirected its TESS satellite to observe interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS from Jan. 15–22, interrupting its regular schedule. SPHEREx data show the comet’s activity surged after its October perihelion, with emissions of carbon monoxide, water vapor, cyanide, and organics increasing sharply. 3I/ATLAS, discovered in July 2025, is only the third known interstellar object. Data from the TESS campaign will be publicly released.
January 21, 2026
Northern Lights Could Reach Farther South Tonight After NOAA Flags Severe Solar Storm
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Northern Lights Could Reach Farther South Tonight After NOAA Flags Severe Solar Storm

Severe G4 geomagnetic storm levels were recorded early Tuesday after a coronal mass ejection struck Earth, NOAA said. A rare severe solar radiation storm was also underway, raising risks for polar flights and satellites. Agencies in the U.K. and Australia reported similar conditions and warned of possible G5 intervals. NOAA notified airlines, NASA, and grid operators as the situation developed.
January 20, 2026
Comet 3I/ATLAS suddenly looks “fully active” — and astronomers say the window is closing
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Comet 3I/ATLAS suddenly looks “fully active” — and astronomers say the window is closing

NASA’s SPHEREx telescope recorded a surge in gas and dust from interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS after its close solar approach. The comet, only the third confirmed interstellar object in the solar system, will reach opposition on Jan. 22, offering extended nighttime viewing. Researchers detected water and carbon monoxide emissions about 20 times higher than earlier readings. 3I/ATLAS is already leaving the solar system.
January 20, 2026
NASA’s TESS abruptly pivots to watch interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS — what it’s looking for
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NASA’s TESS abruptly pivots to watch interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS — what it’s looking for

NASA said Friday its TESS satellite will pause regular observations this month to track interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, only the third such object ever confirmed. Data from the campaign will be calibrated and released to the public immediately. The comet, discovered in July 2025, passed closest to the sun in October and will remain visible with small telescopes into spring 2026.
January 17, 2026
NASA’s Artemis II moon rocket starts its slow crawl to the pad — what happens before a February launch
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NASA’s Artemis II moon rocket starts its slow crawl to the pad — what happens before a February launch

NASA began moving its Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, starting at 7:04 a.m. EST. The first possible launch window for the 10-day lunar fly-around opens Feb. 6, pending pad tests and a full fueling rehearsal. Four astronauts, including the first woman and first person of color assigned to a lunar mission, will fly around the Moon.
January 17, 2026
Tiny Primordial Black Holes and the Human Body: New Study Calculates the Real Risk of a Cosmic “Bullet”
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Tiny Primordial Black Holes and the Human Body: New Study Calculates the Real Risk of a Cosmic “Bullet”

A new study in International Journal of Modern Physics D finds a tiny primordial black hole passing through a human would cause little or no injury unless it weighed at least 140 billion tons. Even then, the odds of such an event are estimated at one in a quintillion years. The research has drawn widespread media coverage since November 21.
November 26, 2025
Comet 3I/ATLAS Today (15 November 2025): ESA Path Update, Tail Revival, Radio Signals and Alien Claims Explained
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Comet 3I/ATLAS Today (15 November 2025): ESA Path Update, Tail Revival, Radio Signals and Alien Claims Explained

New images confirm interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS survived its close pass behind the Sun, remaining intact and active as of 11 November. The European Space Agency has refined its orbital path using data from the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. Some astronomers continue to debate whether the comet’s behavior could indicate artificial origins, though most experts attribute it to natural processes.
November 15, 2025
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