September 22

Autumnal equinox

The autumnal equinox is one of two points in Earth’s orbit where the sun creates equal periods of daytime and nighttime across the globe. Many mark it as the first day of the fall. See what it looks like from space here.

October 20

NASA’s Osiris-Rex spacecraft could try to collect a sample from the asteroid Bennu

This NASA spacecraft has been orbiting an Empire State Building-sized near Earth asteroid for more than a year. It will attempt to collect a sample during a brief touch down on its surface, and eventually return it to Earth. Read about Osiris-Rex’s landing site here.

Starting October 21

The Orionids meteor shower will peak

Starting in the evening of Oct. 21, through the next day’s dawn, you might get your best chance to catch a glimpse of the Orionids meteor shower. Learn more about the major meteor showers and how to watch them here.

October 23

SpaceX could launch more astronauts to orbit in its Crew Dragon capsule

In May, SpaceX carried two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. Now that those astronauts have safely returned to Earth, NASA is preparing for Crew Dragon to transport a team of four, including a Japanese astronaut, on the capsule’s second piloted trip. Read more about how NASA became SpaceX’s customer here.

Starting November 16

The Leonids meteor shower will peak

Starting in the evening of Nov. 16, through the next day’s dawn, you might get your best chance to catch a glimpse of the Leonids meteor shower. Learn more about the major meteor showers and how to watch them here.

Starting November 29

A lunar eclipse will be visible in the Americas, Australia and parts of Asia and Europe.

This will be a subtle, penumbral lunar eclipse much like the one in July, but shifted to the East. Moon gazers in the Americas and Australia can try to detect the change, as can people throughout East Asia. Read about forthcoming lunar astronomy events here.

December 6

Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft could return a sample from the asteroid Ryugu to Earth

Throughout 2019, this Japanese probe collected multiple samples from this near Earth asteroid, including a memorable operation that blew a hole in the space rock’s surface. After returning to Earth, it will eject a sample capsule that will attempt to touch down in the Australian outback. Read more about Hayabusa2 here.

Starting December 13

The Geminids meteor shower will peak

Starting in the evening of Dec. 13, through the next day’s dawn, you might get your best chance to catch a glimpse of the Geminids meteor shower. Learn more about the major meteor showers and how to watch them here.

December 14

A total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of South America

Darkness will fall during daytime in parts of South America as the moon obscures the sun. See last year’s total solar eclipse in Chile and Argentina, here.

Starting December 21

The Ursids meteor shower will peak

Starting in the evening of Dec. 21, through the next day’s dawn, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the Ursids meteor shower. Learn more about the major meteor showers and how to watch them here.

December 21

Winter solstice

It’s the scientific start to winter in the Northern Hemisphere, when this half of the world tilts away from the sun. Read more about the solstice here.