Friday, September 4, 2026

Strange 10-sided 'structure' found on Saturn | BepiColombo begins Mercury arrival after 8-year trek | New comet in night sky!

After 8-year trek, BepiColombo begins Mercury arrival | Space Quiz! Who's flying the BepiColombo Mercury mission? | Astronomers discover 10-sided structure on Saturn
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September 3, 2026
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After 8-year trek, BepiColombo begins Mercury arrival
Space.com
Happy Thursday, Space Fans, and welcome back to your daily space update. Our top story is a hot one about Mercury (because it's so close to the sun, get it?), where - after 8 years in space - two BepiColombo probes have FINALLY begun their arrival at the innermost planet. See how it happened here!

And of course, there's more. Scientists just found a strange decagonal jet stream on Saturn (it has 10 sides!). There's a new comet in the night sky, too, and Blue Origin is going to Mars for NASA! Check it all out below.
 
BepiColombo at Mercury
 
Space Quiz! Who's flying the BepiColombo Mercury mission?
Find the answer HERE!
Vote Europe and Japan
Vote The U.S. and Europe
Vote Italy and France
Vote Russia and China
 
 
 
 
 
Trending
 
Astronomers discover 10-sided structure on Saturn
Space.com
Okay, here is a weird one from Saturn. Scientists have found a mysterious giant 10-sided pattern of clouds around Saturn's south pole. Saturn already has a hexagon at the north pole! What's going on?
 
What IS it?
 
 
 
 
Spaceflight
 
Watch India launch new Earth-imaging satellite today
Space.com
India will launch its first Earth-imaging satellite in geosynchronous orbit tonight - something it has never done successfully - and you can watch the action live. Here's how.
 
Watch the launch
 
Blue Origin will build NASA's next Mars orbiter
Space.com
NASA has picked Blue Origin to build its next Mars telecommunications orbiter, awarding a $700 million contract to Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company. Why do we need a telecom satellite at Mars anyway?
 
Blue Origin to Red Planet
 
 
 
 
Skywatching
 
Comet McNaught puts on a surprise night sky show
Space.com
Comet McNaught brightened dramatically during two outbursts around perihelion as it made a close approach to the sun. That makes now a great time to see it. But where should you look? We've got answers for you.
 
How to see it!
 
 
 
 
Technology
 
Rocket issues delay 1s private mission to Venus
Space.com
Rocket Lab wants to launch first-ever private mission to Venus. But it's running late because of rocket issues with its new booster Neutron. Is it even still possible? Here's what we know.
 
When could it fly?
 
Watch China's private reusable Pallas-1 rocket aces debut
Space.com
Galactic Energy's new Pallas-1 rocket aced its 1st-everlaunch on Monday (Aug. 31), successfully reaching orbit. The vehicle's first stage did not attempt a landing, however. When could it fly again?
 
New rocket tech!
 
 
 
 
Science & Astronomy
 
Are 'too big' monster black holes smaller than thought?
Space.com
Here's another weird tale from space. Several supermassive black holes found by the James Webb Space Telescope, which appeared too big to have been formed in the early universe, may not be that big after all.
 
How big is too big?
 
 
 
 
Today in Space
 
Photo of the day | Mesmerizing plasma loops on the sun
Space.com
Today's space photo of the day comes from astrophotographer Mark Johnston from Scottsdale, Arizona, who captured this sublime view of a plasma loops arcing of the sun. "To see one AND catch it right on the limb AND have it happen on a clear day when I'm home and able to catch it was a real treat," he said. Check it out.
 
Learn about the photo
 
On this day in 2006! SMART-1 spacecraft hits the moon
Space.com
On Sept. 3, 2006, a European satellite named SMART-1 crashed into the moon! The small probe was actually belt to test a new ion drive, but even its death plunge into the lunar surface yielded science. Here's why it mattered.
 
Watch the video
 
 
 
 
Space deal of the day
 
Don't miss VisionQuest with this Proton VPN deal!
Space.com
If you love to watch Marvel films and TV shows like the upcoming VisionQuest on the go, make sure your system is secure! You save 70% now on Proton, which recommended as one of the best VPN services around. Here's how.
 
Get the deal
 
 
 
 
SpaceX
 
Have a great Thursday!
That's going to be a wrap for our space update today. Thanks for reading to the end!

Be sure to come back Friday. We'll have an update on what's next for BepiColombo en route to Mercury, the results of India's big Earth satellite launch and more! 

Until then, keep looking up!
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief, Space.com
 
 
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