We have lots of great stories for your daily read today, including the SpaceX Crew-11 astronauts arriving in Florida ahead of the scheduled launch on Thursday (July 31) at 12:09 p.m. EDT (1609 GMT). Stay tuned as we follow the launch and share all the updates for you.
Other headlines for today include satellite data revealing that Earth's continents are drying out faster than expected, NASA losing nearly 4,000 employees due to a new "deferred resignation" program under the Trump administration, and a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Hulu show "Alien: Earth." We have all that and more.
Satellite data allows meteorologists to keep track of the location, structure and intensity of severe weather, helping to keep people safe. Now they're losing access to these satellites.
We're closing out July and kicking off August with a flurry of skywatching treats. The Southern Delta-Aquariid meteor shower peaks early Tuesday morning under a dark crescent moon, while the moon itself makes a string of visits to Spica on Wednesday, Antares on Sunday, and more. Friday brings the first quarter moon, ideal for lunar viewing, and in the early mornings, Venus shines near a sparkling star cluster in Gemini. Whether you're staying up late for meteors or rising early for planetary views, there's something worth watching every night this week.
The Delta-Aquariids peak before dawn Tuesday, with 15–20 meteors per hour expected under moonless skies. Watch from late Monday night until morning twilight. Best seen from southern latitudes, where Aquarius climbs higher.
The moon reaches first quarter at 8:41 a.m. EDT (12:41 GMT). It'll appear half-lit and rise around midday. Evenings this week are ideal for spotting craters and lunar detail along the terminator.
Brilliant Venus glows near Messier 35, the Shoe-Buckle Cluster, in Gemini before sunrise. Look with binoculars to see the cluster as a fuzzy patch just to Venus' upper left. They'll remain close through early next week.
In the southeast after sunset, the waxing gibbous moon passes near red Antares, the heart of Scorpius. The pair share the view through binoculars. Observers in southern South America and Antarctica will see the moon occult Antares around 03:00 GMT.
The first quarter moon arrives on Friday, August 1, rising in the afternoon and setting around midnight. With half its face lit, this phase is perfect for observing lunar terrain. Look along the moon's shadowy boundary — the terminator — where low sunlight casts long shadows across ridges and craters. This is a favorite time for telescope users and photographers alike.
Want to explore more? Check out our ultimate guide to observing the moon for tips and tools to get the most out of each phase.
Our expert travel guide to the 2026 total solar eclipse in Greenland, Iceland and Spain is packed with insider tips, travel advice and skywatching secrets from seasoned eclipse chasers.
