Saved copy of
U.S. confirms it has weapons in orbit
Astronomy.com · 2026-09-15
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en-US">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
<link rel="profile" href="https://gmpg.org/xfn/11" />
<!-- Omeda Olytics -->
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://olytics.omeda.com/olytics/css/v3/p/olytics.css" />
<script>
window.olytics||(window.olytics=[]),window.olytics.methods=["fire","confirm"],window.olytics.factory=function(i){return function(){var t=Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments);return t.unshift(i),window.olytics.push(t),window.olytics}};for(var i=0;i<window.olytics.methods.length;i++){var method=window.olytics.methods[i];window.olytics[method]=window.olytics.factory(method)}olytics.load=function(i){if(!document.getElementById("olyticsImport")){window.a=window.olytics;var t=document.createElement("script");t.async=!0,t.id="olyticsImport",t.type="text/javascript";var o="";void 0!==i&&void 0!==i.oid&&(o=i.oid),t.setAttribute("data-oid",o),t.src="https://olytics.omeda.com/olytics/js/v3/p/olytics.min.js",t.addEventListener("load",function(t){for(olytics.initialize({Olytics:i});window.a.length>0;){var o=window.a.shift(),s=o.shift();olytics[s]&&olytics[s].apply(olytics,o)}},!1);var s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}},olytics.load({oid:"c28f01a1c3254cc49db467cf425b9138"});
</script>
<meta name='robots' content='index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1' />
<script id="cdp-config">
window.cdpConfig = {"apiKey":"pk_live_-i63e01YhqVkxoMZR573mDEznpVYBEEs","orgId":"org_testcompany","siteId":"site_291cfe02e3c5ded0","endpoint":"https://api.firecrown.com/v1/events","debug":false};
</script>
<script id="cookie-law-info-gcm-var-js">
var _ckyGcm = {"status":true,"default_settings":[{"analytics":"denied","advertisement":"denied","functional":"denied","necessary":"granted","ad_user_data":"denied","ad_personalization":"denied","regions":"All"}],"wait_for_update":2000,"url_passthrough":false,"ads_data_redaction":false}</script>
<script id="cookie-law-info-gcm-js" type="text/javascript" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/plugins/cookie-law-info/lite/frontend/js/gcm.min.js"></script> <script id="cookieyes" type="text/javascript" src="https://cdn-cookieyes.com/client_data/8b2b503ea77987f25f16a19b/script.js"></script><script>
(function() {
'use strict';
/**
* Generate a UUID v4 for request identification.
* Same algorithm as tracker.js for consistency.
*/
function generateRequestId() {
if ( typeof crypto !== 'undefined' && typeof crypto.randomUUID === 'function' ) {
return crypto.randomUUID();
}
return 'xxxxxxxx-xxxx-4xxx-yxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx'.replace( /[xy]/g, function( c ) {
var r = Math.random() * 16 | 0;
var v = c === 'x' ? r : ( r & 0x3 | 0x8 );
return v.toString( 16 );
} );
}
// Generate and expose the request ID globally.
// This will be reused by tracker.js when it loads.
window.nexusRequestId = generateRequestId();
// Initialize googletag command queue if not present.
window.googletag = window.googletag || { cmd: [] };
// Queue the custom targeting to be set when GPT is ready.
// This ensures the targeting is applied before ad slots are defined.
googletag.cmd.push( function() {
googletag.pubads().setTargeting( "ch_req_id", window.nexusRequestId );
} );
})();
</script>
<link rel="preload" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cropped-Logo-white@2x.png" as="image">
<link rel="prefetch" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/themes/astronomy/dist/fonts/rubik-light.65dbd68a.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2">
<link rel="prefetch" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/themes/astronomy/dist/fonts/rubik-regular.18856bd2.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2">
<link rel="prefetch" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/themes/astronomy/dist/fonts/rubik-semibold.c5dee968.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2">
<link rel="prefetch" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/themes/astronomy/dist/fonts/rubik-medium.ffa06caa.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2">
<link rel="prefetch" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/themes/astronomy/dist/fonts/rubik-bold.2a7d0e11.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2">
<link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://www.googletagmanager.com">
<link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//www.google-analytics.com">
<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https://yoast.com/product/yoast-seo-wordpress/ -->
<title>U.S. confirms it has weapons in orbit | Astronomy.com</title>
<meta name="description" content="Air Force Secretary Troy Meink's announcement is the first official U.S. acknowledgment of space-based weapons." />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit/" />
<meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" />
<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
<meta property="og:title" content="U.S. confirms it has weapons in orbit | Astronomy.com" />
<meta property="og:description" content="Air Force Secretary Troy Meink's announcement is the first official U.S. acknowledgment of space-based weapons." />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit/" />
<meta property="og:site_name" content="Astronomy Magazine" />
<meta property="article:publisher" content="https://www.facebook.com/AstronomyMagazine/" />
<meta property="article:published_time" content="2026-09-15T20:54:26+00:00" />
<meta property="article:modified_time" content="2026-09-15T20:54:27+00:00" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/260914-F-JJ904-1095.jpeg?resize=1200,630" />
<meta property="og:image:width" content="1200" />
<meta property="og:image:height" content="630" />
<meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" />
<meta name="author" content="Brooks Mendenhall" />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
<meta name="twitter:creator" content="@AstronomyMag" />
<meta name="twitter:site" content="@AstronomyMag" />
<script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/"},"author":[{"@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/#\/schema\/person\/2e4be941c1ec1314e20df559e1d9b37d"}],"headline":"U.S. confirms it has weapons in orbit","datePublished":"2026-09-15T20:54:26+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-15T20:54:27+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/"},"wordCount":1482,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/260914-F-JJ904-1095.jpeg","keywords":["News","Robotic Spaceflight"],"articleSection":["Robotic Spaceflight"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/","url":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/","name":"U.S. confirms it has weapons in orbit | Astronomy.com","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/260914-F-JJ904-1095.jpeg","datePublished":"2026-09-15T20:54:26+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-15T20:54:27+00:00","description":"Air Force Secretary Troy Meink's announcement is the first official U.S. acknowledgment of space-based weapons.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/260914-F-JJ904-1095.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/260914-F-JJ904-1095.jpeg","width":2000,"height":1553,"caption":"Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink delivers his keynote address at the 2026 Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, on Sept. 14. During the speech, Meink confirmed for the first time that the U.S. has on-orbit space control weapons. Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"U.S. confirms it has weapons in orbit"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/","name":"Astronomy Magazine","description":"Astronomy news, photos, observing events, and space missions.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/#organization"},"alternateName":"Astronomy.com","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/#organization","name":"Astronomy magazine","alternateName":"Astronomy","url":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Astronomy-logo-square.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Astronomy-logo-square.jpeg","width":225,"height":224,"caption":"Astronomy magazine"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AstronomyMagazine\/","https:\/\/x.com\/AstronomyMag","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/astronomy-magazine","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/astronomymagazine","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/astronomy.magazine\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/#\/schema\/person\/2e4be941c1ec1314e20df559e1d9b37d","name":"Brooks Mendenhall","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e1f1ceb04dfdff0e8952f1ce9f9c1c69d02111b6fe09dcdae8f1bc066c5a1aa5?s=96&d=mm&r=gaaa279430b458d9bf68fa0a844202da1","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e1f1ceb04dfdff0e8952f1ce9f9c1c69d02111b6fe09dcdae8f1bc066c5a1aa5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e1f1ceb04dfdff0e8952f1ce9f9c1c69d02111b6fe09dcdae8f1bc066c5a1aa5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Brooks Mendenhall"},"description":"Brooks Mendenhall is a staff writer at Astronomy, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, fueled by an unending curiosity about the universe. A former classroom teacher, he has a knack for breaking down complex concepts for a wide audience.","url":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/author\/brooks-mendenhall\/"}]}</script>
<!-- / Yoast SEO plugin. -->
<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//cdn.parsely.com' />
<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//www.google.com' />
<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//fonts.googleapis.com' />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Astronomy Magazine » Feed" href="https://www.astronomy.com/feed/" />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Astronomy Magazine » Comments Feed" href="https://www.astronomy.com/comments/feed/" />
<script id="cdp-page-data">
window.cdpPageData = {"content_type":"post","post_id":176448,"categories":["Robotic Spaceflight"],"tags":["News","Robotic Spaceflight"],"author":"Brooks Mendenhall","publish_date":"2026-09-15","word_count":1463,"estimated_read_time":7};
</script>
<link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.astronomy.com%2Fspace-exploration%2Fu-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit%2F" />
<link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.astronomy.com%2Fspace-exploration%2Fu-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit%2F&format=xml" />
<style id="wp-img-auto-sizes-contain-inline-css">
img:is([sizes=auto i],[sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px}
/*# sourceURL=wp-img-auto-sizes-contain-inline-css */
</style>
<style id="wp-emoji-styles-inline-css">
img.wp-smiley, img.emoji {
display: inline !important;
border: none !important;
box-shadow: none !important;
height: 1em !important;
width: 1em !important;
margin: 0 0.07em !important;
vertical-align: -0.1em !important;
background: none !important;
padding: 0 !important;
}
/*# sourceURL=wp-emoji-styles-inline-css */
</style>
<style id="wp-block-library-inline-css">
:root{--wp-block-synced-color:#7a00df;--wp-block-synced-color--rgb:122,0,223;--wp-bound-block-color:var(--wp-block-synced-color);--wp-editor-canvas-background:#ddd;--wp-admin-theme-color:#007cba;--wp-admin-theme-color--rgb:0,124,186;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10:#006ba1;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10--rgb:0,107,160.5;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20:#005a87;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20--rgb:0,90,135;--wp-admin-border-width-focus:2px}@media (min-resolution:192dpi){:root{--wp-admin-border-width-focus:1.5px}}.wp-element-button{cursor:pointer}:root .has-very-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-background-color{background-color:#313131}:root .has-very-light-gray-color{color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-color{color:#313131}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-to-vivid-cyan-blue-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#00d084,#0693e3)}:root .has-purple-crush-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#34e2e4,#4721fb 50%,#ab1dfe)}:root .has-hazy-dawn-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#faaca8,#dad0ec)}:root .has-subdued-olive-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fafae1,#67a671)}:root .has-atomic-cream-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fdd79a,#004a59)}:root .has-nightshade-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#330968,#31cdcf)}:root .has-midnight-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381,#2874fc)}:root{--wp--preset--font-size--normal:16px;--wp--preset--font-size--huge:42px}.has-regular-font-size{font-size:1em}.has-larger-font-size{font-size:2.625em}.has-normal-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--normal)}.has-huge-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--huge)}:root .has-text-align-center{text-align:center}:root .has-text-align-left{text-align:left}:root .has-text-align-right{text-align:right}.has-fit-text{white-space:nowrap!important}#end-resizable-editor-section{display:none}.aligncenter{clear:both}.items-justified-left{justify-content:flex-start}.items-justified-center{justify-content:center}.items-justified-right{justify-content:flex-end}.items-justified-space-between{justify-content:space-between}.screen-reader-text{word-wrap:normal!important;border:0;clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;word-break:normal!important}.screen-reader-text:focus{background-color:#ddd;clip-path:none;color:#444;display:block;font-size:1em;height:auto;left:5px;line-height:normal;padding:15px 23px 14px;text-decoration:none;top:5px;width:auto;z-index:100000}html :where(.has-border-color){border-style:solid}html :where([style^=border-color],[style*=";border-color"],[style*="; border-color"]){border-style:solid}html :where([style^=border-top-color],[style*=";border-top-color"],[style*="; border-top-color"]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style^=border-right-color],[style*=";border-right-color"],[style*="; border-right-color"]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style^=border-bottom-color],[style*=";border-bottom-color"],[style*="; border-bottom-color"]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style^=border-left-color],[style*=";border-left-color"],[style*="; border-left-color"]){border-left-style:solid}html :where([style^=border-width],[style*=";border-width"],[style*="; border-width"]){border-style:solid}html :where([style^=border-top-width],[style*=";border-top-width"],[style*="; border-top-width"]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style^=border-right-width],[style*=";border-right-width"],[style*="; border-right-width"]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style^=border-bottom-width],[style*=";border-bottom-width"],[style*="; border-bottom-width"]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style^=border-left-width],[style*=";border-left-width"],[style*="; border-left-width"]){border-left-style:solid}html :where(img[class*=wp-image-]){height:auto;max-width:100%}:where(figure){margin:0 0 1em}html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:var(--wp-admin--admin-bar--height,0px)}@media screen and (max-width:600px){html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:0px}}
/*# sourceURL=/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/common.min.css */
</style>
<style id="wp-block-button-inline-css">
.wp-block-button__link{align-content:center;box-sizing:border-box;cursor:pointer;display:inline-block;height:100%;text-align:center;word-break:break-word}.wp-block-button__link.aligncenter{text-align:center}.wp-block-button__link.alignright{text-align:right}:where(.wp-block-button__link){border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);text-decoration:none}.wp-block-button[style*=text-decoration] .wp-block-button__link{text-decoration:inherit}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.has-custom-width{max-width:none}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.has-custom-width .wp-block-button__link{width:100%}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.has-custom-font-size .wp-block-button__link{font-size:inherit}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button[class*=wp-block-button__width]{width:calc(var(--wp--block-button--width)*1% - var(--wp--style--block-gap, .5em)*(1 - var(--wp--block-button--width)/100))}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-25{width:calc(25% - var(--wp--style--block-gap, .5em)*.75)}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-50{width:calc(50% - var(--wp--style--block-gap, .5em)*.5)}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-75{width:calc(75% - var(--wp--style--block-gap, .5em)*.25)}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-100{flex-basis:100%;width:100%}.wp-block-buttons.is-vertical>.wp-block-button[class*=wp-block-button__width]{width:calc(var(--wp--block-button--width)*1%)}.wp-block-buttons.is-vertical>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-25{width:25%}.wp-block-buttons.is-vertical>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-50{width:50%}.wp-block-buttons.is-vertical>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-75{width:75%}.wp-block-button.is-style-squared,.wp-block-button__link.wp-block-button.is-style-squared{border-radius:0}.wp-block-button.no-border-radius,.wp-block-button__link.no-border-radius{border-radius:0!important}:root :where(.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link.is-style-outline),:root :where(.wp-block-button.is-style-outline>.wp-block-button__link){border:2px solid;padding:.667em 1.333em}:root :where(.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link.is-style-outline:not(.has-text-color)),:root :where(.wp-block-button.is-style-outline>.wp-block-button__link:not(.has-text-color)){color:currentColor}:root :where(.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link.is-style-outline:not(.has-background)),:root :where(.wp-block-button.is-style-outline>.wp-block-button__link:not(.has-background)){background-color:transparent;background-image:none}
/*# sourceURL=https://www.astronomy.com/wp-includes/blocks/button/style.min.css */
</style>
<style id="wp-block-cover-inline-css">
.wp-block-cover,.wp-block-cover-image{align-items:center;background-position:50%;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;justify-content:center;min-height:430px;overflow:hidden;overflow:clip;padding:1em;position:relative}.wp-block-cover .has-background-dim:not([class*=-background-color]),.wp-block-cover-image .has-background-dim:not([class*=-background-color]),.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim:not([class*=-background-color]),.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim:not([class*=-background-color]){background-color:#000}.wp-block-cover .has-background-dim.has-background-gradient,.wp-block-cover-image .has-background-dim.has-background-gradient{background-color:transparent}.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim:before,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim:before{background-color:inherit;content:""}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim:not(.has-background-gradient):before,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim:not(.has-background-gradient):before{bottom:0;left:0;opacity:.5;position:absolute;right:0;top:0}.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-10 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-10 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-10:not(.has-background-gradient):before,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-10 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-10 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-10:not(.has-background-gradient):before{opacity:.1}.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-20 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-20 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-20:not(.has-background-gradient):before,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-20 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-20 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-20:not(.has-background-gradient):before{opacity:.2}.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-30 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-30 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-30:not(.has-background-gradient):before,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-30 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-30 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-30:not(.has-background-gradient):before{opacity:.3}.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-40 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-40 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-40:not(.has-background-gradient):before,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-40 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-40 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-40:not(.has-background-gradient):before{opacity:.4}.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-50 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-50 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-50:not(.has-background-gradient):before,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-50 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-50 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-50:not(.has-background-gradient):before{opacity:.5}.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-60 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-60 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-60:not(.has-background-gradient):before,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-60 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-60 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-60:not(.has-background-gradient):before{opacity:.6}.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-70 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-70 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-70:not(.has-background-gradient):before,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-70 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-70 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-70:not(.has-background-gradient):before{opacity:.7}.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-80 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-80 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-80:not(.has-background-gradient):before,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-80 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-80 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-80:not(.has-background-gradient):before{opacity:.8}.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-90 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-90 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-90:not(.has-background-gradient):before,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-90 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-90 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-90:not(.has-background-gradient):before{opacity:.9}.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-100 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-100 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover-image.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-100:not(.has-background-gradient):before,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-100 .wp-block-cover__background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-100 .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,.wp-block-cover.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-100:not(.has-background-gradient):before{opacity:1}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-0,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-0,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-0,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-0{opacity:0}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-10,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-10,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-10,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-10{opacity:.1}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-20,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-20,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-20,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-20{opacity:.2}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-30,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-30,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-30,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-30{opacity:.3}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-40,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-40,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-40,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-40{opacity:.4}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-50,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-50,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-50,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-50{opacity:.5}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-60,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-60,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-60,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-60{opacity:.6}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-70,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-70,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-70,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-70{opacity:.7}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-80,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-80,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-80,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-80{opacity:.8}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-90,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-90,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-90,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-90{opacity:.9}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-100,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-100,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-100,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__gradient-background.has-background-dim.has-background-dim-100{opacity:1}.wp-block-cover-image.alignleft,.wp-block-cover-image.alignright,.wp-block-cover.alignleft,.wp-block-cover.alignright{max-width:420px;width:100%}.wp-block-cover-image.aligncenter,.wp-block-cover-image.alignleft,.wp-block-cover-image.alignright,.wp-block-cover.aligncenter,.wp-block-cover.alignleft,.wp-block-cover.alignright{display:flex}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__inner-container{color:inherit;position:relative;width:100%}.wp-block-cover-image.is-position-top-left,.wp-block-cover.is-position-top-left{align-items:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start}.wp-block-cover-image.is-position-top-center,.wp-block-cover.is-position-top-center{align-items:flex-start;justify-content:center}.wp-block-cover-image.is-position-top-right,.wp-block-cover.is-position-top-right{align-items:flex-start;justify-content:flex-end}.wp-block-cover-image.is-position-center-left,.wp-block-cover.is-position-center-left{align-items:center;justify-content:flex-start}.wp-block-cover-image.is-position-center-center,.wp-block-cover.is-position-center-center{align-items:center;justify-content:center}.wp-block-cover-image.is-position-center-right,.wp-block-cover.is-position-center-right{align-items:center;justify-content:flex-end}.wp-block-cover-image.is-position-bottom-left,.wp-block-cover.is-position-bottom-left{align-items:flex-end;justify-content:flex-start}.wp-block-cover-image.is-position-bottom-center,.wp-block-cover.is-position-bottom-center{align-items:flex-end;justify-content:center}.wp-block-cover-image.is-position-bottom-right,.wp-block-cover.is-position-bottom-right{align-items:flex-end;justify-content:flex-end}.wp-block-cover-image.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position .wp-block-cover__inner-container{margin:0}.wp-block-cover-image.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position.is-position-bottom-left .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover-image.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position.is-position-bottom-right .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover-image.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position.is-position-center-left .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover-image.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position.is-position-center-right .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover-image.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position.is-position-top-left .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover-image.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position.is-position-top-right .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position.is-position-bottom-left .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position.is-position-bottom-right .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position.is-position-center-left .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position.is-position-center-right .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position.is-position-top-left .wp-block-cover__inner-container,.wp-block-cover.has-custom-content-position.has-custom-content-position.is-position-top-right .wp-block-cover__inner-container{margin:0;width:auto}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__image-background,.wp-block-cover video.wp-block-cover__video-background,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__image-background,.wp-block-cover-image video.wp-block-cover__video-background{border:none;bottom:0;box-shadow:none;height:100%;left:0;margin:0;max-height:none;max-width:none;-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;outline:none;padding:0;position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:100%}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__embed-background,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__embed-background{border:none;bottom:0;box-shadow:none;height:100%;left:0;margin:0;max-height:none;max-width:none;outline:none;padding:0;pointer-events:none;position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:100%}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__embed-background .wp-block-embed__wrapper,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__embed-background .wp-block-embed__wrapper{bottom:0;height:100%;left:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:100%}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__embed-background .wp-block-embed__wrapper iframe,.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__embed-background iframe,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__embed-background .wp-block-embed__wrapper iframe,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover__embed-background iframe{height:100vh;left:50%;min-height:100%;min-width:100%;pointer-events:none;position:absolute;top:50%;transform:translate(-50%,-50%);width:100vw}.wp-block-cover-image.has-parallax,.wp-block-cover.has-parallax,.wp-block-cover__image-background.has-parallax,video.wp-block-cover__video-background.has-parallax{background-attachment:fixed;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover}@supports (-webkit-touch-callout:inherit){.wp-block-cover-image.has-parallax,.wp-block-cover.has-parallax,.wp-block-cover__image-background.has-parallax,video.wp-block-cover__video-background.has-parallax{background-attachment:scroll}}@media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.wp-block-cover-image.has-parallax,.wp-block-cover.has-parallax,.wp-block-cover__image-background.has-parallax,video.wp-block-cover__video-background.has-parallax{background-attachment:scroll}}.wp-block-cover-image.is-repeated,.wp-block-cover.is-repeated,.wp-block-cover__image-background.is-repeated,video.wp-block-cover__video-background.is-repeated{background-repeat:repeat;background-size:auto}.wp-block-cover-image-text,.wp-block-cover-image-text a,.wp-block-cover-image-text a:active,.wp-block-cover-image-text a:focus,.wp-block-cover-image-text a:hover,.wp-block-cover-text,.wp-block-cover-text a,.wp-block-cover-text a:active,.wp-block-cover-text a:focus,.wp-block-cover-text a:hover,section.wp-block-cover-image h2,section.wp-block-cover-image h2 a,section.wp-block-cover-image h2 a:active,section.wp-block-cover-image h2 a:focus,section.wp-block-cover-image h2 a:hover{color:#fff}.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover.has-left-content{justify-content:flex-start}.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover.has-right-content{justify-content:flex-end}.wp-block-cover-image.has-left-content .wp-block-cover-image-text,.wp-block-cover.has-left-content .wp-block-cover-text,section.wp-block-cover-image.has-left-content>h2{margin-left:0;text-align:left}.wp-block-cover-image.has-right-content .wp-block-cover-image-text,.wp-block-cover.has-right-content .wp-block-cover-text,section.wp-block-cover-image.has-right-content>h2{margin-right:0;text-align:right}.wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover-text,.wp-block-cover-image .wp-block-cover-image-text,section.wp-block-cover-image>h2{font-size:2em;line-height:1.25;margin-bottom:0;max-width:840px;padding:.44em;text-align:center;z-index:1}:where(.wp-block-cover-image:not(.has-text-color)),:where(.wp-block-cover:not(.has-text-color)){color:#fff}:where(.wp-block-cover-image.is-light:not(.has-text-color)),:where(.wp-block-cover.is-light:not(.has-text-color)){color:#000}:root :where(.wp-block-cover h1:not(.has-text-color)),:root :where(.wp-block-cover h2:not(.has-text-color)),:root :where(.wp-block-cover h3:not(.has-text-color)),:root :where(.wp-block-cover h4:not(.has-text-color)),:root :where(.wp-block-cover h5:not(.has-text-color)),:root :where(.wp-block-cover h6:not(.has-text-color)),:root :where(.wp-block-cover p:not(.has-text-color)){color:inherit}body:not(.editor-styles-wrapper) .wp-block-cover:not(.wp-block-cover:has(.wp-block-cover__background+.wp-block-cover__inner-container)) .wp-block-cover__video-background{z-index:0}body:not(.editor-styles-wrapper) .wp-block-cover:not(.wp-block-cover:has(.wp-block-cover__background+.wp-block-cover__inner-container)) .wp-block-cover__embed-background{z-index:0}body:not(.editor-styles-wrapper) .wp-block-cover:not(.wp-block-cover:has(.wp-block-cover__background+.wp-block-cover__inner-container)) .wp-block-cover__image-background{z-index:0}body:not(.editor-styles-wrapper) .wp-block-cover:not(.wp-block-cover:has(.wp-block-cover__background+.wp-block-cover__inner-container)) .wp-block-cover__background,body:not(.editor-styles-wrapper) .wp-block-cover:not(.wp-block-cover:has(.wp-block-cover__background+.wp-block-cover__inner-container)) .wp-block-cover__gradient-background,body:not(.editor-styles-wrapper) .wp-block-cover:not(.wp-block-cover:has(.wp-block-cover__background+.wp-block-cover__inner-container)).has-background-dim:not(.has-background-gradient):before{z-index:1}body:not(.editor-styles-wrapper) .wp-block-cover:not(.wp-block-cover:has(.wp-block-cover__background+.wp-block-cover__inner-container)) .wp-block-cover__inner-container{z-index:1}.has-modal-open body:not(.editor-styles-wrapper) .wp-block-cover:not(.wp-block-cover:has(.wp-block-cover__background+.wp-block-cover__inner-container)) .wp-block-cover__inner-container{z-index:auto}
/*# sourceURL=https://www.astronomy.com/wp-includes/blocks/cover/style.min.css */
</style>
<style id="wp-block-heading-inline-css">
h1:where(.wp-block-heading).has-background,h2:where(.wp-block-heading).has-background,h3:where(.wp-block-heading).has-background,h4:where(.wp-block-heading).has-background,h5:where(.wp-block-heading).has-background,h6:where(.wp-block-heading).has-background{padding:1.25em 2.375em}h1.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h1.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h2.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h2.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h3.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h3.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h4.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h4.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h5.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h5.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h6.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h6.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]){rotate:180deg}
/*# sourceURL=https://www.astronomy.com/wp-includes/blocks/heading/style.min.css */
</style>
<style id="wp-block-image-inline-css">
.wp-block-image>a,.wp-block-image>figure>a{display:inline-block}.wp-block-image img{box-sizing:border-box;height:auto;max-width:100%;vertical-align:bottom}@media not (prefers-reduced-motion){.wp-block-image img.hide{visibility:hidden}.wp-block-image img.show{animation:show-content-image .4s}}.wp-block-image[style*=border-radius] img,.wp-block-image[style*=border-radius]>a{border-radius:inherit}.wp-block-image.has-custom-border img{box-sizing:border-box}.wp-block-image.aligncenter{text-align:center}.wp-block-image.alignfull>a,.wp-block-image.alignwide>a{width:100%}.wp-block-image.alignfull img,.wp-block-image.alignwide img{height:auto;width:100%}.wp-block-image .aligncenter,.wp-block-image .alignleft,.wp-block-image .alignright,.wp-block-image.aligncenter,.wp-block-image.alignleft,.wp-block-image.alignright{display:table}.wp-block-image .aligncenter>figcaption,.wp-block-image .alignleft>figcaption,.wp-block-image .alignright>figcaption,.wp-block-image.aligncenter>figcaption,.wp-block-image.alignleft>figcaption,.wp-block-image.alignright>figcaption{caption-side:bottom;display:table-caption}.wp-block-image .alignleft{float:left;margin:.5em 1em .5em 0}.wp-block-image .alignright{float:right;margin:.5em 0 .5em 1em}.wp-block-image .aligncenter{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}.wp-block-image :where(figcaption){margin-bottom:1em;margin-top:.5em}.wp-block-image.is-style-circle-mask img{border-radius:9999px}@supports ((-webkit-mask-image:none) or (mask-image:none)) or (-webkit-mask-image:none){.wp-block-image.is-style-circle-mask img{border-radius:0;-webkit-mask-image:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg viewBox="0 0 100 100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><circle cx="50" cy="50" r="50"/></svg>');mask-image:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg viewBox="0 0 100 100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><circle cx="50" cy="50" r="50"/></svg>');mask-mode:alpha;-webkit-mask-position:center;mask-position:center;-webkit-mask-repeat:no-repeat;mask-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-mask-size:contain;mask-size:contain}}:root :where(.wp-block-image.is-style-rounded img,.wp-block-image .is-style-rounded img){border-radius:9999px}.wp-block-image figure{margin:0}.wp-lightbox-container{display:flex;flex-direction:column;position:relative}.wp-lightbox-container img{cursor:zoom-in}.wp-lightbox-container img:hover+button{opacity:1}.wp-lightbox-container button{align-items:center;backdrop-filter:blur(16px) saturate(180%);background-color:rgba(90,90,90,.25);border:none;border-radius:4px;cursor:zoom-in;display:flex;height:20px;justify-content:center;opacity:0;padding:0;position:absolute;right:16px;text-align:center;top:16px;width:20px;z-index:100}@media not (prefers-reduced-motion){.wp-lightbox-container button{transition:opacity .2s ease}}.wp-lightbox-container button:focus-visible{outline:3px auto rgba(90,90,90,.25);outline:3px auto -webkit-focus-ring-color;outline-offset:3px}.wp-lightbox-container button:hover{cursor:pointer;opacity:1}.wp-lightbox-container button:focus{opacity:1}.wp-lightbox-container button:focus,.wp-lightbox-container button:hover,.wp-lightbox-container button:not(:hover):not(:active):not(.has-background){background-color:rgba(90,90,90,.25);border:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay{box-sizing:border-box;cursor:zoom-out;height:100vh;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:fixed;top:0;visibility:hidden;width:100%;z-index:100000}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-close-button{align-items:center;cursor:pointer;display:flex;font-family:inherit;gap:8px;justify-content:center;line-height:1;min-height:40px;min-width:40px;padding:0 4px;position:absolute;right:calc(env(safe-area-inset-right) + 16px);top:calc(env(safe-area-inset-top) + 16px);z-index:5000000}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-close-button:focus,.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-close-button:hover,.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-close-button:not(:hover):not(:active):not(.has-background){background:none;border:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-close-button:has(.wp-lightbox-close-text:not([hidden])) .wp-lightbox-close-icon svg{height:1em;width:1em}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-close-icon svg{display:block}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-next,.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-prev{align-items:center;bottom:16px;cursor:pointer;display:flex;font-family:inherit;gap:4px;justify-content:center;line-height:1;min-height:40px;min-width:40px;padding:0 8px;position:absolute;z-index:2000002}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-next[hidden],.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-prev[hidden]{display:none}@media (min-width:960px){.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-next,.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-prev{bottom:50%;transform:translateY(-50%)}}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-next:focus,.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-next:hover,.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-next:not(:hover):not(:active):not(.has-background),.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-prev:focus,.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-prev:hover,.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-prev:not(:hover):not(:active):not(.has-background){background:none;border:none;padding:0 8px}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-next:has(.wp-lightbox-navigation-text:not([hidden])) .wp-lightbox-navigation-icon svg,.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-prev:has(.wp-lightbox-navigation-text:not([hidden])) .wp-lightbox-navigation-icon svg{display:block;height:1.5em;width:1.5em}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-prev{left:calc(env(safe-area-inset-left) + 16px)}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-button-next{right:calc(env(safe-area-inset-right) + 16px)}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-lightbox-navigation-icon svg{vertical-align:middle}.wp-lightbox-overlay .lightbox-image-container{height:var(--wp--lightbox-container-height);left:50%;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;top:50%;transform:translate(-50%,-50%);transform-origin:top left;width:var(--wp--lightbox-container-width);z-index:2000001}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-block-image{align-items:center;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;height:100%;justify-content:center;margin:0;position:relative;transform-origin:0 0;width:100%;z-index:3000000}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-block-image img{height:var(--wp--lightbox-image-height);min-height:var(--wp--lightbox-image-height);min-width:var(--wp--lightbox-image-width);width:var(--wp--lightbox-image-width)}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-block-image figcaption{display:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay button{background:none;border:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay .scrim{background-color:#fff;height:100%;opacity:.9;position:absolute;width:100%;z-index:2000000}.wp-lightbox-overlay.active{visibility:visible}@media not (prefers-reduced-motion){.wp-lightbox-overlay.active{animation:turn-on-visibility .25s both}.wp-lightbox-overlay.active img{animation:turn-on-visibility .35s both}.wp-lightbox-overlay.show-closing-animation:not(.active){animation:turn-off-visibility .35s both}.wp-lightbox-overlay.show-closing-animation:not(.active) img{animation:turn-off-visibility .25s both}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.active{animation:none;opacity:1;visibility:visible}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.active .lightbox-image-container{animation:lightbox-zoom-in .4s}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.active .lightbox-image-container img{animation:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.active .scrim{animation:turn-on-visibility .4s forwards}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.show-closing-animation:not(.active){animation:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.show-closing-animation:not(.active) .lightbox-image-container{animation:lightbox-zoom-out .4s}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.show-closing-animation:not(.active) .lightbox-image-container img{animation:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.show-closing-animation:not(.active) .scrim{animation:turn-off-visibility .4s forwards}}@keyframes show-content-image{0%{visibility:hidden}99%{visibility:hidden}to{visibility:visible}}@keyframes turn-on-visibility{0%{opacity:0}to{opacity:1}}@keyframes turn-off-visibility{0%{opacity:1;visibility:visible}99%{opacity:0;visibility:visible}to{opacity:0;visibility:hidden}}@keyframes lightbox-zoom-in{0%{transform:translate(calc((-100vw + var(--wp--lightbox-scrollbar-width))/2 + var(--wp--lightbox-initial-left-position)),calc(-50vh + var(--wp--lightbox-initial-top-position))) scale(var(--wp--lightbox-scale))}to{transform:translate(-50%,-50%) scale(1)}}@keyframes lightbox-zoom-out{0%{transform:translate(-50%,-50%) scale(1);visibility:visible}99%{visibility:visible}to{transform:translate(calc((-100vw + var(--wp--lightbox-scrollbar-width))/2 + var(--wp--lightbox-initial-left-position)),calc(-50vh + var(--wp--lightbox-initial-top-position))) scale(var(--wp--lightbox-scale));visibility:hidden}}
/*# sourceURL=https://www.astronomy.com/wp-includes/blocks/image/style.min.css */
</style>
<style id="wp-block-paragraph-inline-css">
.is-small-text{font-size:.875em}.is-regular-text{font-size:1em}.is-large-text{font-size:2.25em}.is-larger-text{font-size:3em}.has-drop-cap:not(:focus):first-letter{float:left;font-size:8.4em;font-style:normal;font-weight:100;line-height:.68;margin:.05em .1em 0 0;text-transform:uppercase}body.rtl .has-drop-cap:not(:focus):first-letter{float:none;margin-left:.1em}p.has-drop-cap.has-background{overflow:hidden}:root :where(p.has-background){padding:1.25em 2.375em}:where(p.has-text-color:not(.has-link-color)) a{color:inherit}p.has-text-align-left[style*="writing-mode:vertical-lr"],p.has-text-align-right[style*="writing-mode:vertical-rl"]{rotate:180deg}
/*# sourceURL=https://www.astronomy.com/wp-includes/blocks/paragraph/style.min.css */
</style>
<style id="wp-block-buttons-inline-css">
.wp-block-buttons{box-sizing:border-box}.wp-block-buttons.is-vertical{flex-direction:column}.wp-block-buttons.is-vertical>.wp-block-button:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button{display:inline-block;margin:0}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-left{justify-content:flex-start}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-left.is-vertical{align-items:flex-start}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-center{justify-content:center}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-center.is-vertical{align-items:center}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-right{justify-content:flex-end}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-right.is-vertical{align-items:flex-end}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-space-between{justify-content:space-between}.wp-block-buttons.aligncenter{text-align:center}.wp-block-buttons:not(.is-content-justification-space-between,.is-content-justification-right,.is-content-justification-left,.is-content-justification-center) .wp-block-button.aligncenter{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100%}.wp-block-buttons[style*=text-decoration] .wp-block-button,.wp-block-buttons[style*=text-decoration] .wp-block-button__link{text-decoration:inherit}.wp-block-buttons.has-custom-font-size .wp-block-button__link{font-size:inherit}.wp-block-buttons .wp-block-button__link{width:100%}.wp-block-button.aligncenter{text-align:center}
/*# sourceURL=https://www.astronomy.com/wp-includes/blocks/buttons/style.min.css */
</style>
<style id="wp-block-columns-inline-css">
.wp-block-columns{box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap!important}@media (min-width:782px){.wp-block-columns{flex-wrap:nowrap!important}}.wp-block-columns{align-items:normal!important}.wp-block-columns.are-vertically-aligned-top{align-items:flex-start}.wp-block-columns.are-vertically-aligned-center{align-items:center}.wp-block-columns.are-vertically-aligned-bottom{align-items:flex-end}@media (max-width:781px){.wp-block-columns:not(.is-not-stacked-on-mobile)>.wp-block-column{flex-basis:100%!important}}@media (min-width:782px){.wp-block-columns:not(.is-not-stacked-on-mobile)>.wp-block-column{flex-basis:0;flex-grow:1}.wp-block-columns:not(.is-not-stacked-on-mobile)>.wp-block-column[style*=flex-basis]{flex-grow:0}}.wp-block-columns.is-not-stacked-on-mobile{flex-wrap:nowrap!important}.wp-block-columns.is-not-stacked-on-mobile>.wp-block-column{flex-basis:0;flex-grow:1}.wp-block-columns.is-not-stacked-on-mobile>.wp-block-column[style*=flex-basis]{flex-grow:0}:where(.wp-block-columns){margin-bottom:1.75em}:where(.wp-block-columns.has-background){padding:1.25em 2.375em}.wp-block-column{flex-grow:1;min-width:0;overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word}.wp-block-column.is-vertically-aligned-top{align-self:flex-start}.wp-block-column.is-vertically-aligned-center{align-self:center}.wp-block-column.is-vertically-aligned-bottom{align-self:flex-end}.wp-block-column.is-vertically-aligned-stretch{align-self:stretch}.wp-block-column.is-vertically-aligned-bottom,.wp-block-column.is-vertically-aligned-center,.wp-block-column.is-vertically-aligned-top{width:100%}
/*# sourceURL=https://www.astronomy.com/wp-includes/blocks/columns/style.min.css */
</style>
<style id="wp-block-group-inline-css">
.wp-block-group{box-sizing:border-box}:where(.wp-block-group.wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained){position:relative}
/*# sourceURL=https://www.astronomy.com/wp-includes/blocks/group/style.min.css */
</style>
<style id="wp-block-separator-inline-css">
@charset "UTF-8";.wp-block-separator{border:none;border-top:2px solid}:root :where(.wp-block-separator.is-style-dots){height:auto;line-height:1;text-align:center}:root :where(.wp-block-separator.is-style-dots):before{color:currentColor;content:"···";font-family:serif;font-size:1.5em;letter-spacing:2em;padding-left:2em}.wp-block-separator.is-style-dots{background:none!important;border:none!important}
/*# sourceURL=https://www.astronomy.com/wp-includes/blocks/separator/style.min.css */
</style>
<style id="global-styles-inline-css">
:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--color--grey: #f2f2f2;--wp--preset--color--blue: #00578a;--wp--preset--color--dark-blue: #002b45;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(6,147,227) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(252,185,0) 0%,rgb(255,105,0) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,105,0) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 1rem;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 1.375rem;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 1.75rem;--wp--preset--font-size--xx-small: 0.75rem;--wp--preset--font-size--x-small: 0.875rem;--wp--preset--font-size--base: 1.125rem;--wp--preset--font-size--xx-large: 2rem;--wp--preset--font-size--xxx-large: 2.5rem;--wp--preset--font-size--xxxx-large: 3.75rem;--wp--preset--spacing--20: clamp(2rem, 6vw, 3rem);--wp--preset--spacing--30: clamp(2.5rem, 7vw, 4.5rem);--wp--preset--spacing--40: clamp(3.5rem, 9vw, 6rem);--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--spacing--10: clamp(1.5rem, 5vw, 2rem);--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgb(255, 255, 255), 6px 6px rgb(0, 0, 0);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgb(0, 0, 0);}.wp-block-button{--wp--preset--dimension--25: 25%;--wp--preset--dimension--50: 50%;--wp--preset--dimension--75: 75%;--wp--preset--dimension--100: 100%;}:root { --wp--style--global--content-size: 1200px;--wp--style--global--wide-size: 1400px; }:where(body) { margin: 0; }.wp-site-blocks > .alignleft { float: left; margin-right: 2em; }.wp-site-blocks > .alignright { float: right; margin-left: 2em; }.wp-site-blocks > .aligncenter { justify-content: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; }:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}.is-layout-flow > .alignleft{float: left;margin-inline-start: 0;margin-inline-end: 2em;}.is-layout-flow > .alignright{float: right;margin-inline-start: 2em;margin-inline-end: 0;}.is-layout-flow > .aligncenter{margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}.is-layout-constrained > .alignleft{float: left;margin-inline-start: 0;margin-inline-end: 2em;}.is-layout-constrained > .alignright{float: right;margin-inline-start: 2em;margin-inline-end: 0;}.is-layout-constrained > .aligncenter{margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}.is-layout-constrained > :where(:not(.alignleft):not(.alignright):not(.alignfull)){max-width: var(--wp--style--global--content-size);margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}.is-layout-constrained > .alignwide{max-width: var(--wp--style--global--wide-size);}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body{padding-top: 0px;padding-right: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;}:root :where(.wp-element-button, .wp-block-button__link){background-color: #32373c;border-width: 0;color: #fff;font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit;font-style: inherit;font-weight: inherit;letter-spacing: inherit;line-height: inherit;padding-top: calc(0.667em + 2px);padding-right: calc(1.333em + 2px);padding-bottom: calc(0.667em + 2px);padding-left: calc(1.333em + 2px);text-decoration: none;text-transform: inherit;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-grey-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--grey) !important;}.has-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--blue) !important;}.has-dark-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--dark-blue) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-grey-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--grey) !important;}.has-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--blue) !important;}.has-dark-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--dark-blue) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-grey-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--grey) !important;}.has-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--blue) !important;}.has-dark-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--dark-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}.has-xx-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--xx-small) !important;}.has-x-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-small) !important;}.has-base-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--base) !important;}.has-xx-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--xx-large) !important;}.has-xxx-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--xxx-large) !important;}.has-xxxx-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--xxxx-large) !important;}
:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}
/*# sourceURL=global-styles-inline-css */
</style>
<link rel='stylesheet' id='all-css-10' href='https://www.astronomy.com/_static/??-eJx1jU0OgkAMhS/kTCORCAvjWWCopHGmnbRVwu0F2eru5Xt/sNSQhB3ZoebXTGwwmKuwlHVzFGEic8g0QjKDOdOEceexEMcNneDHxCMFlxrGgRkVzNeM/7OkmFQWDk9DfR9/X7lX7uV2vnb9pW+arv0AgfFASA==' type='text/css' media='all' />
<style id="fc-top-banner-style-inline-css">
.top-banner {
background: #1b0815;
color: #ffffff;
}
.banner-highlight {
background: rgba(184, 48, 96, 1);
color: #ffffff;
}
.banner-button {
background: rgba(184, 48, 96, 1);
border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
color: #ffffff;
}
.banner-button:hover {
color: #ffffff;
}
/*# sourceURL=fc-top-banner-style-inline-css */
</style>
<link rel='stylesheet' id='firecrown_kserv_inter_font-css' href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter:wght@400;500;600;700&display=swap' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='all-css-12' href='https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/plugins/sheknows-infuse/public/css/style.css?m=1778596080g' type='text/css' media='all' />
<style id="jetpack-stats-inline-css">
img#wpstats{display:none}
/*# sourceURL=jetpack-stats-inline-css */
</style>
<link rel='stylesheet' id='seedlet-fonts-css' href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Fira+Sans%3Aital%2Cwght%400%2C400%3B0%2C500%3B1%2C400%7CPlayfair+Display%3Aital%2Cwght%400%2C400%3B0%2C700%3B1%2C400&subset=latin%2Clatin-ext' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='all-css-16' href='https://www.astronomy.com/_static/??-eJx1zcsOQDAQRuEXUkNCsBDP0uigiU7FPyHe3nVr/50c2hfTR1EWJZ04MAjMbmYl6DFz2gMJ/SMLsIIu9XojdvOjVR/lL7XQNUoMBzmPb2OG9UHujrrQ5lXdlFlRVM0Jc3w8Ag==' type='text/css' media='all' />
<style id="astronomy-styles-inline-css">
body.single-post .featured-img img, .featured-img img { max-height: 800px !important; max-width: 100% !important; width: auto !important; height: auto !important; display: block !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
/*# sourceURL=astronomy-styles-inline-css */
</style>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.astronomy.com/_static/??-eJyNi1sKgCAQRTeUTUH0+IjWIjqElpM5I9Hui3ABfV0451y4ojIHCZJA3PPqiMHYqCRps2ECzYzC4BkKqYOj2nMF79GR2bPFT/szY7rL/IpUcGvSgiVewtwO49SPXT81/gEgrTey" ></script> <!-- Google Tag Manager -->
<script>
(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':
new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src=
'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);
})(window,document,'script','dataLayer',"GTM-WHWV7HZ");</script>
<!-- End Google Tag Manager -->
<!-- Google Analytics tag (gtag.js) -->
<script type="text/javascript">
(function (i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {
i['GoogleAnalyticsObject'] = r; i[r] = i[r] || function () {
(i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)
}, i[r].l = 1 * new Date(); a = s.createElement(o),
m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0]; a.async = 1; a.src = g; m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)
})(window, document, 'script', '//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js', 'ga');
ga('create', "UA-130806-5", 'auto');
ga('send', 'pageview', {
'dimension1': 'Anonymous',
'metric1': 0
});
</script>
<!-- End Google Analytics tag (gtag.js) -->
<!-- Marfeel SDK -->
<script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";function e(e){var t=!(arguments.length>1&&void 0!==arguments[1])||arguments[1],c=document.createElement("script");c.src=e,t?c.type="module":(c.async=!0,c.type="text/javascript",c.setAttribute("nomodule",""));var n=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];n.parentNode.insertBefore(c,n)}!function(t,c){!function(t,c,n){var a,o,r;n.accountId=c,null!==(a=t.marfeel)&&void 0!==a||(t.marfeel={}),null!==(o=(r=t.marfeel).cmd)&&void 0!==o||(r.cmd=[]),t.marfeel.config=n;var i="https://sdk.mrf.io/statics";e("".concat(i,"/marfeel-sdk.js?id=").concat(c),!0),e("".concat(i,"/marfeel-sdk.es5.js?id=").concat(c),!1)}(t,c,arguments.length>2&&void 0!==arguments[2]?arguments[2]:{})}(window,11525,{} /* Config */)}();</script>
<!-- End Marfeel SDK -->
<link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/176448" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://www.astronomy.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd" />
<meta name="generator" content="WordPress 7.1.1" />
<link rel='shortlink' href='https://www.astronomy.com/?p=176448' />
<script>
(function() {
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
document.querySelector('[data-cky-consent-trigger]').addEventListener('click', function(e) {
e.preventDefault();
if (typeof revisitCkyConsent === 'function') {
revisitCkyConsent();
}
});
});
})();
</script> <script>
window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
window.dataLayer.push({'author': 'Brooks Mendenhall'});
window.dataLayer.push({'categories': 'Robotic Spaceflight'});
window.dataLayer.push({'tags': 'News,Robotic Spaceflight'});
console.log(window.dataLayer);
</script><!-- Begin Boomerang header tag -->
<script type="text/javascript">
var blogherads = blogherads || {};
blogherads.adq = blogherads.adq || [];
blogherads.adq.push(function () {
blogherads.setTargeting("ci", 176448);
blogherads.setTargeting("pt", "post");
blogherads.setTargeting("tags", ["news","robotic-spaceflight"]);
blogherads.setTargeting("ch", "robotic-spaceflight");
});
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" async="async" data-cfasync="false" src="https://ads.blogherads.com/static/blogherads.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" async="async" data-cfasync="false" src="https://ads.blogherads.com/sk/12/124/1242172/31478/header.js"></script>
<!-- End Boomerang header tag -->
<script type="application/ld+json" class="wp-parsely-metadata">{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"U.S. confirms it has weapons in orbit","url":"http:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/space-exploration\/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/260914-F-JJ904-1095.jpeg?w=300&h=300&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/260914-F-JJ904-1095.jpeg"},"articleSection":"Robotic Spaceflight","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Brooks Mendenhall"}],"creator":["Brooks Mendenhall"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Astronomy Magazine","logo":""},"keywords":["news","robotic spaceflight"],"dateCreated":"2026-09-15T20:54:26Z","datePublished":"2026-09-15T20:54:26Z","dateModified":"2026-09-15T20:54:27Z"}</script><style>.recentcomments a{display:inline !important;padding:0 !important;margin:0 !important;}</style><link rel="icon" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cropped-favicon.jpg?w=32" sizes="32x32" />
<link rel="icon" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cropped-favicon.jpg?w=192" sizes="192x192" />
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cropped-favicon.jpg?w=180" />
<meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cropped-favicon.jpg?w=270" />
<style id="wp-custom-css">
/* ============================================================
Astronomy.com Additional CSS — v5.8.7
Organized: per-post toggles, global styles, responsive blocks
============================================================ */
/* Prevent 1-2px horizontal body scroll from sub-pixel rounding in 100vw breakout elements */
html {
overflow-x: clip;
}
/* ============================================================
1. PER-POST TOGGLES (all breakpoints)
Activated via Additional CSS class on any block in the post.
============================================================ */
/* hide sidebar with ads and house ads */
body.single-post:has(.hide-sidebar) .sidebar-area {
display: none !important;
}
/* hide last updated */
body.single-post:has(.hide-last-updated) .last-updated {
display: none !important;
}
/* hide-featured-image: hides the featured image sitewide header */
body.single-post:has(.hide-featured-image) .featured-img,
body.single-potd:has(.hide-featured-image) .featured-img {
display: none !important;
}
/* Hide Apollo "Free Download" block in sidebar at all breakpoints */
aside.sidebar-area .wp-block-cover:has(.wp-image-43686) {
display: none !important;
}
/* Hide "go back" JS buttons — unreliable navigation, confusing from search */
.article-header__back-button,
.js-back-button {
display: none !important;
}
/* ---- HERO IMAGE MODE (v5.0) ----
Activated by adding "hero-image" class to any block.
Optional: "hero-dark" (black text), "hero-left" (lower-left).
Default: white text, centered. */
/* Article header becomes 100vh overlay container */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
height: 100vh !important;
margin: 0 !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
position: relative !important;
z-index: 2 !important;
display: flex !important;
flex-direction: column !important;
justify-content: flex-end !important;
padding: 48px 48px !important;
box-sizing: border-box !important;
overflow: visible !important;
background: linear-gradient(
to top,
rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.55) 0%,
rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25) 15%,
transparent 65%
) !important;
}
/* Strong dark gradient twin of hero-dark — for light text
Use on the block as: hero-image hero-grad */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image.hero-grad) .article-header {
background: linear-gradient(
to top,
rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75) 0%,
rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 35%,
rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0) 65%
) !important;
}
/* Issue label — white, in overlay */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header__issue {
color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85) !important;
text-align: center !important;
text-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3) !important;
margin-bottom: 12px !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header__issue a {
color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85) !important;
}
/* Title — default white, centered */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header__title {
color: #fff !important;
font-size: clamp(1rem, 4vw, 3rem) !important;
line-height: 1.1 !important;
font-weight: 700 !important;
text-align: center !important;
max-width: 800px !important;
margin: 0 auto !important;
text-shadow: 0 1px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3) !important;
}
/* Dek — default white, centered (hidden on mobile below) */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header__desc {
color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85) !important;
text-align: center !important;
max-width: 640px !important;
margin: 16px auto 48px !important;
font-size: 1.1rem !important;
line-height: 1.5 !important;
text-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3) !important;
}
/* Meta — positioned just above the bottom of the overlay */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header__meta,
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header__meta a {
color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85) !important;
text-align: center !important;
max-width: 640px !important;
margin: 0px auto -40px !important;
text-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3) !important;
}
/* Audio player — positioned below meta */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header__audio,
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header .instaread-audio-player {
display: none !important;
/* position: absolute !important;
top: calc(100% + 100px) !important;
left: 50% !important;
transform: translateX(-50%) !important;
display: block !important;
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 680px !important;
margin-top: 1px !important;
padding: 0 var(--spacing-s) !important;
z-index: 3 !important; */
}
/* Hide leaderboard ads in hero mode — they cause whitespace */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) #gpt-ad-article-970x90,
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) #gpt-ad-article-320x50,
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .google-ad:has([id^="gpt-ad-article"]),
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) [id^="skm-boomerang"] {
display: none !important;
}
/* Featured image — pulled up behind header */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .featured-img {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin-top: 0 !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-bottom: 0 !important;
position: relative !important;
z-index: 1 !important;
left: 0 !important;
padding: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .featured-img img {
width: 100% !important;
height: 100vh !important;
max-height: none !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-bottom: 0px !important;
object-fit: cover !important;
object-position: center center !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .entry-content {
margin-top: 0px;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-image)
.featured-img__caption {
margin-bottom: 40px;
}
/* Caption — pushed down to clear absolutely-positioned meta + audio above */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .featured-img__caption {
position: relative !important;
z-index: 3 !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
padding: 0 var(--spacing-s) !important;
}
/* HERO PAGES: pretend we're always in the mobile header layout */
/* 1. Hide anything that only appears in the wide header */
body:has(.hero-image) .top-banner,
body:has(.hero-image) .menu-secondary-header-nav-container,
body:has(.hero-split) .top-banner,
body:has(.hero-split) .menu-secondary-header-nav-container {
display: none !important;
}
body:has(.hero-image) .site-header-primary,
body:has(.hero-split) .site-header-primary {
max-height: 0
}
/* 2. Force the mobile nav triggers to behave as if in narrow view */
body:has(.hero-image) .mobile-navigation-triggers,
body:has(.hero-split) .mobile-navigation-triggers {
display: flex !important; /* match the small-screen display type */
align-items: center !important;
}
/* hide background image */
body:has(.hero-image) .site-header,
body:has(.hero-split) .site-header {
background-image: none !important;
background-color: black !important;
}
/* stop menu items from expanding */
body:has(.hero-image) .site-header-menus,
body:has(.hero-split) .site-header-menus {
display: block;
max-width: 1000px;
}
body:has(.hero-image) .menu-item,
body:has(.hero-split) .menu-item {
max-height: 50px;
max-width: 220px;
}
/* 3. lock logo to true mobile dimensions */
body:has(.hero-image) .site-logo img,
body:has(.hero-split) .site-logo img {
height: 34px !important;
width: auto !important;
max-height: 34px !important;
}
/* ---- HERO-DARK modifier ---- */
body.single-post:has(.hero-dark) .article-header {
background: linear-gradient(to top,
rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.55) 0%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2) 35%, transparent 65%
) !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-dark) .article-header__title {
color: #111 !important;
text-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5) !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-dark) .article-header__desc {
color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75) !important;
text-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5) !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-dark) .article-header__issue,
body.single-post:has(.hero-dark) .article-header__issue a {
color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75) !important;
text-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5) !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-dark) .article-header__meta,
body.single-post:has(.hero-dark) .article-header__meta a {
color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75) !important;
text-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5) !important;
}
/* ---- HERO-LEFT modifier ---- */
body.single-post:has(.hero-left) .article-header {
align-items: flex-start !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-left) .article-header__title {
text-align: left !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-left) .article-header__desc {
text-align: left !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-left) .article-header__issue {
text-align: left !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-left) .article-header__meta {
text-align: left !important;
margin-left: 0px !important;
}
/* ---- HERO-SPLIT modifier ---- */
/* Side-by-side layout: image fills left 55%, dark color panel right 45%.
Text overlay sits in the right panel. Image shows through transparent left.
Activated by adding "hero-split" class to any block. */
/* Article header becomes a 2-column grid: left 55% transparent, right 45% panel */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
min-height: min(88vh, 920px) !important;
height: auto !important;
margin: 0 !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
position: relative !important;
z-index: 2 !important;
display: grid !important;
grid-template-columns: 55fr 45fr !important;
align-content: center !important;
box-sizing: border-box !important;
overflow: visible !important;
/* Right 45% is solid panel; left 55% is transparent (image shows through) */
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
transparent 0%,
transparent 55%,
var(--hero-split-bg, #1a2540) 55%
) !important;
padding: 52px 0 52px 0 !important;
}
/* Force all article-header children into the right panel (column 2) */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__issue,
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__title,
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__desc,
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__meta,
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__audio,
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header .instaread-audio-player {
grid-column: 2 !important;
padding-left: 48px !important;
padding-right: 48px !important;
}
/* Subtle vertical seam line at the 55% join */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header::before {
content: '';
position: absolute;
left: 55%;
top: 10%;
bottom: 10%;
width: 1px;
background: linear-gradient(
to bottom,
transparent,
rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2) 25%,
rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.35) 50%,
rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2) 75%,
transparent
);
z-index: 3;
}
/* Issue label */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__issue {
color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.75) !important;
text-align: left !important;
text-shadow: none !important;
margin-bottom: 12px !important;
font-size: 0.67rem !important;
letter-spacing: 0.2em !important;
text-transform: uppercase !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__issue a {
color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.75) !important;
}
/* Title — white, left-aligned in right panel */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__title {
color: #fff !important;
font-size: clamp(1.75rem, 2.8vw, 3.1rem) !important;
line-height: 1.07 !important;
font-weight: 900 !important;
text-align: left !important;
max-width: 460px !important;
margin: 0 !important;
text-shadow: none !important;
letter-spacing: -0.015em !important;
}
/* Dek */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__desc {
color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.72) !important;
text-align: left !important;
max-width: 460px !important;
margin: 18px 0 0 !important;
font-size: 0.98rem !important;
line-height: 1.65 !important;
text-shadow: none !important;
}
/* Meta / byline */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__meta,
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__meta a {
color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.65) !important;
text-align: left !important;
max-width: 460px !important;
margin: 26px 0 0 !important;
text-shadow: none !important;
}
/* Audio player — hidden in hero-split */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__audio,
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header .instaread-audio-player {
display: none !important;
}
/* Hide leaderboard ads in hero-split mode */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) #gpt-ad-article-970x90,
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) #gpt-ad-article-320x50,
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .google-ad:has([id^="gpt-ad-article"]) {
display: none !important;
}
/* Featured image — full-width, pulled up behind the header */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .featured-img {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin-top: 0 !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-bottom: 0 !important;
position: relative !important;
z-index: 1 !important;
left: 0 !important;
padding: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .featured-img img {
width: 100% !important;
min-height: min(88vh, 920px) !important;
height: auto !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-bottom: 0px !important;
object-fit: cover !important;
object-position: center 35% !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .entry-content {
margin-top: 0px;
}
/* Caption after the hero */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .featured-img__caption {
position: relative !important;
z-index: 3 !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
padding: 0 var(--spacing-s) !important;
margin-bottom: 40px;
}
/* ============================================================
2. ARTICLE HEADER — match featured image width at all breakpoints
Title, dek, byline, etc. above the featured image.
============================================================ */
body.single-post .article-header {
max-width: 100vw;
}
/* ============================================================
2b. POTD LAYOUT FIX
On VIP, Boomerang injects ad divs as direct children of main#main.
max-width: 100vw prevents any injected element from expanding the layout
beyond the viewport (e.g. 970px ad creatives, 728px Boomerang min-width).
box-sizing: border-box ensures padding doesn't add to that cap.
============================================================ */
/* Cap the layout at viewport width and allow Boomerang to wrap above content. */
body.single-potd main#main.site-main {
flex-wrap: wrap !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
box-sizing: border-box !important;
}
/* Override inline min-width: 728px so Boomerang div can't expand the layout */
body.single-potd main#main.site-main > div[id^="skm-boomerang"] {
width: 100% !important;
min-width: 0 !important;
}
/* Tablet (760–1023px): theme puts .site-main__content and aside in the same
flex row. Force content full-width so sidebar wraps below. min-width: 0
allows the flex item to shrink past its min-content size if needed. */
@media screen and (min-width: 760px) and (max-width: 1023px) {
body.single-potd main#main.site-main > .site-main__content {
width: 100% !important;
flex: 0 0 100% !important;
min-width: 0 !important;
}
}
/* ============================================================
3. FEATURED IMAGE — global base styles
Desktop breakpoints override these below.
============================================================ */
.featured-img {
float: none;
}
.featured-img img {
width: 100vw;
height: auto;
max-width: calc(100vw - 40px);
object-fit: cover;
}
.featured-img__caption {
width: auto;
}
body.single-potd .featured-img img {
max-height: none !important;
width: 100% !important;
}
/* ============================================================
3b. MOBILE FULL-BLEED — featured + inline images
Edge-to-edge images below 1024px. Uses margin trick to
break out of content padding.
============================================================ */
@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {
/* Soften font-size jump at 1024px breakpoint.
Theme switches 1rem (mobile) to 1.125rem (desktop) at ~1025px.
Bumping mobile to 1.0625rem splits the difference. */
body {
font-size: 1.0625rem;
}
.featured-img,
body.single-potd .featured-img {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
.featured-img img,
body.single-potd .featured-img img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
.featured-img__caption {
margin-left: var(--spacing-s);
margin-right: var(--spacing-s);
}
body.single-post .entry-content > .wp-block-image,
body.single-potd .entry-content > .wp-block-image {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
body.single-post .entry-content > .wp-block-image img,
body.single-potd .entry-content > .wp-block-image img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post .entry-content > .wp-block-image figcaption,
body.single-potd .entry-content > .wp-block-image figcaption {
margin-left: var(--spacing-s);
margin-right: var(--spacing-s);
}
/* --- Hero image: mobile overrides --- */
/* Use svh to account for mobile browser chrome (URL bar) */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header {
height: 100svh !important;
padding: 0 20px !important;
}
/* Title sizing for mobile */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header__title {
font-size: clamp(1.75rem, 7vw, 2.5rem) !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-bottom: calc(24px + env(safe-area-inset-bottom)) !important;
}
/* Featured image matches svh */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .featured-img {
margin-top: -100svh !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .featured-img img {
height: 100svh !important;
}
/* Meta + audio: adjust for mobile padding */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header__meta {
padding: 0 var(--spacing-s) !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header__audio,
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .article-header .instaread-audio-player {
padding: 0 var(--spacing-s) !important;
}
/* --- Hero split: mobile overrides --- */
/* Stacks vertically: text panel on top, image below */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header {
min-height: auto !important;
grid-template-columns: 1fr !important;
padding: 32px 24px 36px !important;
background: var(--hero-split-bg, #1a2540) !important;
}
/* All children go to column 1 on mobile */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__issue,
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__title,
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__desc,
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__meta {
grid-column: 1 !important;
padding-left: 0 !important;
padding-right: 0 !important;
}
/* Remove the seam line on mobile */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header::before {
display: none !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__title {
font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 6vw, 2.2rem) !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .article-header__desc {
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* Image below text panel (no pull-up on mobile) */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .featured-img {
margin-top: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .featured-img img {
min-height: auto !important;
height: 56vw !important;
max-height: 480px !important;
}
}
/* ============================================================
4. FEATURED IMAGE + ARTICLE HEADER — responsive breakpoints
============================================================ */
/* 1024px+: tablet/small desktop */
@media screen and (min-width: 1024px) {
body.single-post .article-header {
max-width: calc(100vw - 400px);
}
.featured-img {
width: 100vw;
position: relative;
left: 0%;
}
.featured-img img {
width: 100vw;
max-width: calc(100vw - 400px);
}
.featured-img__caption {
width: 100vw;
max-width: calc(100vw - 400px);
}
}
/* 1440px+: wide desktop */
@media screen and (min-width: 1440px) {
body.single-post .article-header {
max-width: calc(100vw - 440px);
}
.featured-img {
width: 100vw;
position: relative;
left: 0%;
}
.featured-img img {
width: 100vw;
max-width: calc(100vw - 440px);
}
.featured-img__caption {
width: 100vw;
max-width: calc(100vw - 440px);
}
}
/* 1568px+: extra-wide desktop, cap at 1100px */
@media screen and (min-width: 1568px) {
body.single-post .article-header {
max-width: 1100px;
}
.featured-img {
width: 100vw;
position: relative;
left: 0%;
}
.featured-img img {
width: 100vw;
max-width: 1100px;
}
.featured-img__caption {
width: 100vw;
max-width: 1100px;
}
}
/* ============================================================
5. TOP STORIES CARDS — responsive aspect ratios
============================================================ */
/* Mobile: 3:2 aspect ratio for all cards */
@media screen and (max-width: 820px) {
.wp-block-kb-post-content-selector .wp-block-kb-post-content-selector__grid[data-layout="stories"]
article.wp-block-kb-post-card.agency-ui-card a.card-image {
display: block !important;
position: relative !important;
width: 100% !important;
aspect-ratio: 3 / 2 !important;
height: auto !important;
max-height: none !important;
min-height: 0 !important;
padding: 0 !important;
overflow: hidden !important;
}
.wp-block-kb-post-content-selector .wp-block-kb-post-content-selector__grid[data-layout="stories"]
article.wp-block-kb-post-card.agency-ui-card a.card-image > img {
display: block !important;
width: 100% !important;
height: 100% !important;
max-width: none !important;
max-height: none !important;
object-fit: cover !important;
object-position: center center !important;
aspect-ratio: auto !important;
}
/* Neutralize inner wrappers that may impose heights */
.wp-block-kb-post-content-selector .wp-block-kb-post-content-selector__grid[data-layout="stories"]
article.wp-block-kb-post-card.agency-ui-card a.card-image picture,
.wp-block-kb-post-content-selector .wp-block-kb-post-content-selector__grid[data-layout="stories"]
article.wp-block-kb-post-card.agency-ui-card a.card-image > span,
.wp-block-kb-post-content-selector .wp-block-kb-post-content-selector__grid[data-layout="stories"]
article.wp-block-kb-post-card.agency-ui-card a.card-image > div {
display: contents !important;
}
}
/* Tablet/desktop: reset card aspect ratios */
@media screen and (min-width: 821px) {
.wp-block-kb-post-content-selector .wp-block-kb-post-content-selector__grid[data-layout="stories"]
article.wp-block-kb-post-card.agency-ui-card a.card-image {
aspect-ratio: unset !important;
height: auto !important;
}
.wp-block-kb-post-content-selector .wp-block-kb-post-content-selector__grid[data-layout="stories"]
article.wp-block-kb-post-card.agency-ui-card a.card-image > img {
height: auto !important;
object-fit: cover;
}
}
/* Desktop: 2nd (top-right) card at ~1.96:1 */
@media screen and (min-width: 1024px) {
.wp-block-kb-post-content-selector .wp-block-kb-post-content-selector__grid[data-layout="stories"]
article.wp-block-kb-post-card.agency-ui-card:nth-of-type(2) a.card-image {
aspect-ratio: 1.96 / 1 !important;
}
.wp-block-kb-post-content-selector .wp-block-kb-post-content-selector__grid[data-layout="stories"]
article.wp-block-kb-post-card.agency-ui-card:nth-of-type(2) a.card-image > img {
width: 100% !important;
height: 100% !important;
object-fit: cover !important;
}
.wp-block-kb-post-content-selector .wp-block-kb-post-content-selector__grid[data-layout="stories"]
article.wp-block-kb-post-card.agency-ui-card:nth-of-type(1) a.card-image {
aspect-ratio: !important;
}
.wp-block-kb-post-content-selector .wp-block-kb-post-content-selector__grid[data-layout="stories"]
article.wp-block-kb-post-card.agency-ui-card:nth-of-type(2) a.card-image > img {
width: 100% !important;
height: 100% !important;
object-fit: cover !important;
}
}
/* ============================================================
5b. LEADERBOARD AD CENTERING — 1024px+
The top-of-article ad (#gpt-ad-article-970x90) has an inline
min-width: 970px, wider than any content column. Use the same
breakout-full approach to center it in the viewport.
============================================================ */
@media screen and (min-width: 1024px) {
body.single-post .site-main__content .google-ad {
width: 100vw !important;
min-width: 0 !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
}
/* ============================================================
6a. CENTERED BODY COPY + BREAKOUT IMAGES — 1024px–1279px
Small desktop grid: content 600px centered, sidebar 300px overlaid right.
============================================================ */
@media screen and (min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px) {
/* --- Grid layout --- */
body.single-post main#main.site-main {
display: grid !important;
grid-template-columns: 1fr !important;
max-width: 1279px !important;
margin-left: auto !important;
margin-right: auto !important;
padding-left: 20px !important;
padding-right: 20px !important;
}
body.single-post main#main.site-main > .site-main__content {
grid-column: 1 !important;
grid-row: 1 !important;
max-width: 600px !important;
justify-self: center !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content article,
body.single-post .site-main__content article > div {
max-width: 100% !important;
overflow-wrap: break-word;
}
/* Sidebar flows below content at this breakpoint — no side overlay.
300px ads can't share the page with 600px content without overlap. */
body.single-post main#main.site-main > aside.sidebar-area {
grid-column: 1 !important;
justify-self: center !important;
align-self: start !important;
width: 300px;
}
/* --- Article header: content width --- */
body.single-post .site-main__content .article-header {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
/* --- Featured image --- */
body.single-post .featured-img {
width: calc(100% + 160px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 160px) !important;
margin-left: -80px !important;
margin-right: -80px !important;
left: 0 !important;
padding-left: 0 !important;
padding-right: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post .featured-img img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post .featured-img__caption {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* --- Inline images: auto-expand +40px each side --- */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content
> figure.wp-block-image:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) {
width: calc(100% + 40px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 40px) !important;
margin-left: -20px !important;
margin-right: -20px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content
> figure.wp-block-image:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* --- Breakout tiers --- */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-none {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-none img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout {
width: calc(100% + 40px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 40px) !important;
margin-left: -20px !important;
margin-right: -20px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* breakout-wide: 680px (+80px each side, matches featured image) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-wide {
width: calc(100% + 160px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 160px) !important;
margin-left: -80px !important;
margin-right: -80px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-wide img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* breakout-ultra: 880px (+180px each side) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-ultra {
width: calc(100% + 360px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 360px) !important;
margin-left: -180px !important;
margin-right: -180px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-ultra img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-full {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-full img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-full figcaption {
width: auto !important;
margin-left: var(--spacing-s) !important;
margin-right: var(--spacing-s) !important;
}
/* --- Legacy .heroTop images --- */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop {
float: none !important;
display: block !important;
clear: both !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop .mediaContainer,
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop .mediaContainer figure {
float: none !important;
display: block !important;
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop .mediaContainer figure img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
height: auto !important;
float: none !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop:not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) {
width: calc(100% + 40px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 40px) !important;
margin-left: -20px !important;
margin-right: -20px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout-none {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout {
width: calc(100% + 40px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 40px) !important;
margin-left: -20px !important;
margin-right: -20px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout-wide {
width: calc(100% + 160px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 160px) !important;
margin-left: -80px !important;
margin-right: -80px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout-ultra {
width: calc(100% + 360px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 360px) !important;
margin-left: -180px !important;
margin-right: -180px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout-full {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
/* --- Hero image: prevent breakpoint featured-img rules from overriding --- */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .featured-img {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
height: auto !important;
margin-top: -100vh !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
left: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .site-main__content .article-header {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
height: 100vh !important;
margin: 0 !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
/* --- Hero split: pull featured image behind the split header --- */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .featured-img {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
height: auto !important;
margin-top: calc(-1 * min(88vh, 920px)) !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
left: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .site-main__content .article-header {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin: 0 !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
}
/* ============================================================
6b. CENTERED BODY COPY + BREAKOUT IMAGES — 1280px–1439px
Medium desktop grid: content 680px centered, sidebar 300px overlaid right.
============================================================ */
@media screen and (min-width: 1280px) and (max-width: 1439px) {
/* --- Grid layout --- */
body.single-post main#main.site-main {
display: grid !important;
grid-template-columns: 1fr !important;
max-width: 1439px !important;
margin-left: auto !important;
margin-right: auto !important;
padding-left: 20px !important;
padding-right: 20px !important;
}
body.single-post main#main.site-main > .site-main__content {
grid-column: 1 !important;
grid-row: 1 !important;
max-width: 680px !important;
justify-self: center !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content article,
body.single-post .site-main__content article > div {
max-width: 100% !important;
overflow-wrap: break-word;
}
/* Sidebar container is 220px — house ads fill it naturally at this width.
flex + align-items:flex-end pins all children to the right edge, so paid
ads (300px) overflow 80px to the LEFT into the content gap rather than
past the right window edge. */
body.single-post main#main.site-main > aside.sidebar-area {
grid-column: 1 !important;
grid-row: 1 !important;
justify-self: end !important;
align-self: start !important;
width: 220px;
margin-top: var(--sidebar-top, 1400px);
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
align-items: flex-end;
}
/* --- Article header: content width --- */
body.single-post .site-main__content .article-header {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
/* --- Featured image --- */
body.single-post .featured-img {
width: calc(100% + 320px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 320px) !important;
margin-left: -160px !important;
margin-right: -160px !important;
left: 0 !important;
padding-left: 0 !important;
padding-right: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post .featured-img img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post .featured-img__caption {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* --- Inline images: auto-expand +40px each side --- */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content > .wp-block-image:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) {
width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
margin-left: -40px !important;
margin-right: -40px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content > figure:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content > .wp-block-image:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) {
width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
margin-left: -40px !important;
margin-right: -40px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content > .wp-block-image:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* --- Galleries: preserve multi-column layout --- */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .wp-block-gallery {
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(200px, 1fr)) !important;
}
/* Exclude gallery images from width constraints — let flex container handle layout */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .wp-block-gallery figure:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .wp-block-gallery figure:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* --- Breakout tiers --- */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-none {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-none img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout {
width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
margin-left: -40px !important;
margin-right: -40px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* breakout-wide: 1000px (+160px each side, matches featured image) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-wide {
width: calc(100% + 320px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 320px) !important;
margin-left: -160px !important;
margin-right: -160px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-wide img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* breakout-ultra: 1240px (+280px each side, fills inner width at 1280px min) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-ultra {
width: calc(100% + 560px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 560px) !important;
margin-left: -280px !important;
margin-right: -280px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-ultra img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-full {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-full img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-full figcaption {
width: auto !important;
margin-left: var(--spacing-s) !important;
margin-right: var(--spacing-s) !important;
}
/* --- Legacy .heroTop images --- */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop {
float: none !important;
display: block !important;
clear: both !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop .mediaContainer,
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop .mediaContainer figure {
float: none !important;
display: block !important;
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop .mediaContainer figure img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
height: auto !important;
float: none !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop:not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) {
width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
margin-left: -40px !important;
margin-right: -40px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout-none {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout {
width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
margin-left: -40px !important;
margin-right: -40px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout-wide {
width: calc(100% + 320px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 320px) !important;
margin-left: -160px !important;
margin-right: -160px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout-ultra {
width: calc(100% + 560px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 560px) !important;
margin-left: -280px !important;
margin-right: -280px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout-full {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
/* --- Per-story sidebar positioning --- */
body.single-post:has(.sidebar-late) main#main.site-main > aside.sidebar-area {
margin-top: 2800px;
}
body.single-post:has(.sidebar-very-late) main#main.site-main > aside.sidebar-area {
margin-top: 4200px;
}
/* --- Hero image: prevent breakpoint featured-img rules from overriding --- */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .featured-img {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
height: auto !important;
margin-top: -100vh !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
left: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .site-main__content .article-header {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
height: 100vh !important;
margin: 0 !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
/* --- Hero split: pull featured image behind the split header --- */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .featured-img {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
height: auto !important;
margin-top: calc(-1 * min(88vh, 920px)) !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
left: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .site-main__content .article-header {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin: 0 !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
}
/* ============================================================
6. CENTERED BODY COPY + BREAKOUT IMAGES — 1440px+ only
Single-column grid with sidebar overlay. Content 680px centered,
sidebar 250px pinned right. Images break out via negative margins.
============================================================ */
@media screen and (min-width: 1440px) {
/* --- Grid layout --- */
body.single-post main#main.site-main {
display: grid !important;
grid-template-columns: 1fr !important;
max-width: 1400px !important;
margin-left: auto !important;
margin-right: auto !important;
padding-left: 20px !important;
padding-right: 20px !important;
}
/* Content column: centered, no overflow:hidden (images break out) */
body.single-post main#main.site-main > .site-main__content {
grid-column: 1 !important;
grid-row: 1 !important;
max-width: 680px !important;
justify-self: center !important;
}
/* Force article internals to respect container width */
body.single-post .site-main__content article,
body.single-post .site-main__content article > div {
max-width: 100% !important;
overflow-wrap: break-word;
}
/* Sidebar: in grid flow, pinned right, pushed down */
/* Sidebar container is 250px — house ads fill it naturally at this width.
flex + align-items:flex-end pins all children to the right edge, so paid
ads (300px) overflow 50px to the LEFT into the content gap rather than
past the right window edge.
Default offset: 1400px. Override per-post via Custom HTML block:
document.body.style.setProperty('--sidebar-top', '600px') */
body.single-post main#main.site-main > aside.sidebar-area {
grid-column: 1 !important;
grid-row: 1 !important;
justify-self: end !important;
align-self: start !important;
width: 250px;
margin-top: var(--sidebar-top, 1400px);
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
align-items: flex-end;
}
/* --- Article header: content width --- */
body.single-post .site-main__content .article-header {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
/* --- Featured image: break out to ~1000px --- */
body.single-post .featured-img {
width: calc(100% + 320px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 320px) !important;
margin-left: -160px !important;
margin-right: -160px !important;
left: 0 !important;
padding-left: 0 !important;
padding-right: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post .featured-img img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post .featured-img__caption {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* --- Inline images: auto-expand to ~760px (40px each side) --- */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content > .wp-block-image:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) {
width: calc(100% + 40px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 40px) !important;
margin-left: -20px !important;
margin-right: -20px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content > .wp-block-image:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* --- Breakout tiers (on figure, .wp-block-image, or .heroTop) --- */
/* breakout-none: stay at text width (680px) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-none {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-none img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* breakout: ~760px (40px each side) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout {
width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
margin-left: -40px !important;
margin-right: -40px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* breakout-wide: ~1000px (160px each side, overlaps sidebar) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-wide {
width: calc(100% + 320px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 320px) !important;
margin-left: -160px !important;
margin-right: -160px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-wide img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* breakout-ultra: ~1360px (340px each side, full grid width) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-ultra {
width: calc(100% + 680px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 680px) !important;
margin-left: -340px !important;
margin-right: -340px !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-ultra img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
/* breakout-full: 100vw (true edge-to-edge, any viewport width) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-full {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-full img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .breakout-full figcaption {
width: auto !important;
margin-left: var(--spacing-s) !important;
margin-right: var(--spacing-s) !important;
}
/* --- Legacy images (.heroTop .mediaContainer) --- */
/* Older articles with hardcoded width on imgs and theme floats.
Breakout classes go on .heroTop itself. */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop {
float: none !important;
display: block !important;
clear: both !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop .mediaContainer,
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop .mediaContainer figure {
float: none !important;
display: block !important;
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop .mediaContainer figure img {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
height: auto !important;
float: none !important;
}
/* Default .heroTop: auto-expand to ~760px (matches inline images) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop:not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) {
width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
margin-left: -40px !important;
margin-right: -40px !important;
}
/* .heroTop.breakout-none: stay at text width */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout-none {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
margin-left: 0 !important;
margin-right: 0 !important;
}
/* .heroTop.breakout: ~760px (40px each side) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout {
width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
margin-left: -40px !important;
margin-right: -40px !important;
}
/* .heroTop.breakout-wide: ~1000px (160px each side) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout-wide {
width: calc(100% + 320px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 320px) !important;
margin-left: -160px !important;
margin-right: -160px !important;
}
/* .heroTop.breakout-ultra: ~1360px (340px each side) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout-ultra {
width: calc(100% + 680px) !important;
max-width: calc(100% + 680px) !important;
margin-left: -340px !important;
margin-right: -340px !important;
}
/* .heroTop.breakout-full: 100vw (true edge-to-edge) */
body.single-post .site-main__content .entry-content .heroTop.breakout-full {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
/* --- Per-story sidebar positioning --- */
/* Add class to any block via Advanced > Additional CSS class(es) */
body.single-post:has(.sidebar-late) main#main.site-main > aside.sidebar-area {
margin-top: 2800px;
}
body.single-post:has(.sidebar-very-late) main#main.site-main > aside.sidebar-area {
margin-top: 4200px;
}
/* --- Hero image: prevent breakpoint featured-img rules from overriding --- */
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .featured-img {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
height: auto !important;
margin-top: -100vh !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
left: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-image) .site-main__content .article-header {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
height: 100vh !important;
margin: 0 !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
/* --- Hero split: pull featured image behind the split header --- */
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .featured-img {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
height: auto !important;
margin-top: calc(-1 * min(88vh, 920px)) !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
left: 0 !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.hero-split) .site-main__content .article-header {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin: 0 !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
}
/* Center Gutenberg embeds (Twitter, YouTube, etc.) */
.wp-block-embed.aligncenter,
.wp-block-embed-twitter.aligncenter {
margin-left: auto !important;
margin-right: auto !important;
}
/* Make the inner wrapper shrink to content and then center it */
.wp-block-embed.aligncenter .wp-block-embed__wrapper,
.wp-block-embed-twitter.aligncenter .wp-block-embed__wrapper {
display: inline-block;
margin-left: auto;
margin-right: auto;
}
/* ============================================================
PHOTO ESSAY MODE (v2.4+, updated v4.9.2)
Positioned at the end of the file to override media query rules.
Applies full-viewport width to all images on photo-essay posts.
============================================================ */
/* Center photo-essay captions — constrain to default breakout width (760px at 1280px+, 640px at 1024-1279px) */
body.single-post:has(.photo-essay) .entry-content .wp-block-image figcaption {
text-align: center !important;
max-width: 760px !important;
margin-left: auto !important;
margin-right: auto !important;
padding: 0 10px;
scroll-margin-top: 10px;
}
@media (min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px) {
body.single-post:has(.photo-essay) .entry-content .wp-block-image figcaption {
max-width: 640px !important;
}
}
/* Apply breakout-full (100vw) to all photo-essay images — match media query specificity */
body.single-post:has(.photo-essay) .site-main__content .entry-content > .wp-block-image:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
margin-right: calc(-50vw + 50%) !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.photo-essay) .site-main__content .entry-content > .wp-block-image:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) img {
display: block !important;
margin: 0 auto !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
max-height: 93vh !important;
object-fit: contain !important;
}
/* Kserv paywall: full article is injected into .kserv-content, so image blocks
sit one level deeper than .entry-content direct children. Mirror resize rules. */
body.single-post:has(.photo-essay) .site-main__content .entry-content .kserv-content > .wp-block-image:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) {
width: 100vw !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
margin-left: calc(50% - 50vw) !important;
margin-right: calc(50% - 50vw) !important;
}
body.single-post:has(.photo-essay) .site-main__content .entry-content .kserv-content > .wp-block-image:not(.featured-img):not(.is-resized):not(.breakout-none):not(.breakout):not(.breakout-wide):not(.breakout-ultra):not(.breakout-full) img {
display: block !important;
margin: 0 auto !important;
max-width: 100vw !important;
max-height: 93vh !important;
object-fit: contain !important;
}
/* ============================================================
SCROLLYTELLING (v5.4)
Scrollama-based scroll-trigger image swapping for Custom HTML blocks.
Works within article grid at all breakpoints with proper overflow handling.
============================================================ */
/* Override WordPress overflow that breaks position: sticky in Custom HTML blocks */
body.single-post:has(#scrollytelling-root) {
overflow: visible !important;
}
body.single-post:has(#scrollytelling-root) .wp-block-html,
body.single-post:has(#scrollytelling-root) .entry-content,
body.single-post:has(#scrollytelling-root) .site-main__content,
body.single-post:has(#scrollytelling-root) main#main.site-main,
body.single-post:has(#scrollytelling-root) #primary.content-area,
body.single-post:has(#scrollytelling-root) #content.site-content {
overflow: visible !important;
overflow-x: visible !important;
overflow-y: visible !important;
}
/* Root container - max width for desktop centering */
#scrollytelling-root {
max-width: 1400px !important;
margin: 0 auto !important;
}
/* ============================================================
LOGO UPGRADE (v5.6)
SVG data URI embedded to bypass WordPress upload restrictions.
White logo on dark header — infinitely sharp at any resolution.
============================================================ */
.site-logo {
display: inline-block !important;
background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" viewBox="0 0 612 180">
<path fill-rule="nonzero" fill="#ffffff" fill-opacity="1" d="M 25.46875 139.136719 C 25.46875 139.136719 45.53125 139.136719 45.53125 139.136719 C 45.53125 139.136719 49.609375 112.277344 49.609375 112.277344 C 49.609375 112.277344 72.726562 112.277344 72.726562 112.277344 C 72.726562 112.277344 76.296875 139.136719 76.296875 139.136719 C 76.296875 139.136719 96.695312 139.136719 96.695312 139.136719 C 96.695312 139.136719 74.425781 14.863281 74.425781 14.863281 C 74.425781 14.863281 48.078125 14.863281 48.078125 14.863281 C 48.078125 14.863281 25.46875 139.136719 25.46875 139.136719 Z M 52.835938 92.898438 C 52.835938 92.898438 60.996094 35.105469 60.996094 35.105469 C 60.996094 35.105469 69.667969 92.898438 69.667969 92.898438 C 69.667969 92.898438 52.835938 92.898438 52.835938 92.898438 Z M 52.835938 92.898438 "/>
<path fill-rule="nonzero" fill="#ffffff" fill-opacity="1" d="M 111.679688 111.425781 C 113.550781 120.945312 118.480469 126.046875 124.597656 126.046875 C 130.207031 126.046875 133.949219 122.476562 133.949219 117.207031 C 133.949219 109.730469 125.789062 105.480469 114.570312 96.46875 C 103.691406 87.628906 98.082031 80.148438 98.082031 70.632812 C 98.082031 56.351562 108.621094 46.152344 123.917969 46.152344 C 137.855469 46.152344 147.71875 54.652344 150.605469 69.78125 C 150.605469 69.78125 134.800781 72.5 134.800781 72.5 C 133.609375 64.511719 130.378906 60.773438 124.429688 60.773438 C 119.160156 60.773438 115.417969 64.339844 115.417969 68.929688 C 115.417969 76.921875 124.769531 81.507812 137.007812 91.03125 C 146.699219 98.675781 151.289062 105.816406 151.289062 115.507812 C 151.289062 130.464844 140.40625 141.175781 124.089844 141.175781 C 109.132812 141.175781 98.929688 131.996094 95.53125 115.507812 C 95.53125 115.507812 111.679688 111.425781 111.679688 111.425781 Z M 111.679688 111.425781 "/>
<path fill-rule="nonzero" fill="#ffffff" fill-opacity="1" d="M 241.03125 93.75 C 241.03125 125.363281 251.570312 141.175781 271.457031 141.175781 C 291.34375 141.175781 301.714844 125.363281 301.714844 93.75 C 301.714844 62.132812 291.34375 46.152344 271.457031 46.152344 C 251.570312 46.152344 241.03125 62.132812 241.03125 93.75 Z M 260.410156 93.75 C 260.410156 72.667969 263.808594 62.304688 271.457031 62.304688 C 279.109375 62.304688 282.335938 72.667969 282.335938 93.75 C 282.335938 114.828125 279.109375 125.195312 271.457031 125.195312 C 263.808594 125.195312 260.410156 114.828125 260.410156 93.75 Z M 260.410156 93.75 "/>
<path fill-rule="nonzero" fill="#ffffff" fill-opacity="1" d="M 368.601562 93.75 C 368.601562 125.363281 379.140625 141.175781 399.027344 141.175781 C 418.917969 141.175781 429.285156 125.363281 429.285156 93.75 C 429.285156 62.132812 418.917969 46.152344 399.027344 46.152344 C 379.140625 46.152344 368.601562 62.132812 368.601562 93.75 Z M 387.980469 93.75 C 387.980469 72.667969 391.378906 62.304688 399.027344 62.304688 C 406.675781 62.304688 409.910156 72.667969 409.910156 93.75 C 409.910156 114.828125 406.675781 125.195312 399.027344 125.195312 C 391.378906 125.195312 387.980469 114.828125 387.980469 93.75 Z M 387.980469 93.75 "/>
<path fill-rule="nonzero" fill="#ffffff" fill-opacity="1" d="M 215.199219 45.066406 C 210.359375 47.648438 204.488281 49.269531 198.050781 49.761719 C 198.050781 49.761719 198.050781 139.136719 198.050781 139.136719 C 198.050781 139.136719 216.917969 139.136719 216.917969 139.136719 C 216.917969 139.136719 216.917969 73.351562 216.917969 73.351562 C 221 66.890625 225.757812 64 232.386719 64 C 235.105469 64 237.996094 65.023438 241.738281 66.890625 C 241.738281 66.890625 241.738281 46.324219 241.738281 46.324219 C 240.207031 46.152344 238.847656 45.984375 237.488281 45.984375 C 228.308594 45.984375 221.679688 50.234375 215.21875 58.902344 C 215.21875 58.902344 215.199219 45.066406 215.199219 45.066406 Z M 215.199219 45.066406 "/>
<path fill-rule="nonzero" fill="#ffffff" fill-opacity="1" d="M 179.898438 24.125 C 174.730469 26.882812 168.378906 28.527344 161.425781 28.890625 C 161.425781 28.890625 161.425781 48.195312 161.425781 48.195312 C 161.425781 48.195312 151.398438 48.195312 151.398438 48.195312 C 151.398438 48.195312 151.398438 63.492188 151.398438 63.492188 C 151.398438 63.492188 161.425781 63.492188 161.425781 63.492188 C 161.425781 63.492188 161.425781 113.125 161.425781 113.125 C 161.425781 132.167969 166.015625 141.34375 181.996094 141.34375 C 184.714844 141.34375 187.945312 141.004219 191.683594 140.324219 C 191.683594 140.324219 191.683594 124.515625 191.683594 124.515625 C 190.664062 124.515625 189.644531 124.6875 188.625 124.6875 C 180.464844 124.6875 179.957031 120.945312 179.957031 110.746094 C 179.957031 110.746094 179.957031 63.492188 179.957031 63.492188 C 179.957031 63.492188 192.195312 63.492188 192.195312 63.492188 C 192.195312 63.492188 192.195312 48.195312 192.195312 48.195312 C 192.195312 48.195312 179.957031 48.195312 179.957031 48.195312 C 179.957031 48.195312 179.898438 24.125 179.898438 24.125 Z M 179.898438 24.125 "/>
<path fill-rule="nonzero" fill="#ffffff" fill-opacity="1" d="M 324.253906 45.058594 C 319.417969 47.640625 313.550781 49.257812 307.117188 49.75 C 307.117188 49.75 307.117188 139.136719 307.117188 139.136719 C 307.117188 139.136719 325.984375 139.136719 325.984375 139.136719 C 325.984375 139.136719 325.984375 68.929688 325.984375 68.929688 C 329.046875 64.511719 332.957031 61.621094 338.226562 61.621094 C 342.132812 61.621094 344.007812 65.191406 344.007812 72.5 C 344.007812 72.5 344.007812 139.136719 344.007812 139.136719 C 344.007812 139.136719 363.042969 139.136719 363.042969 139.136719 C 363.042969 139.136719 363.042969 73.351562 363.042969 73.351562 C 363.042969 55.164062 359.644531 46.152344 345.875 46.152344 C 338.394531 46.152344 331.425781 50.0625 324.289062 57.714844 C 324.289062 57.714844 324.253906 45.058594 324.253906 45.058594 Z M 324.253906 45.058594 "/>
<path fill-rule="nonzero" fill="#ffffff" fill-opacity="1" d="M 451.851562 45.015625 C 447.007812 47.601562 441.128906 49.21875 434.691406 49.710938 C 434.691406 49.710938 434.691406 139.136719 434.691406 139.136719 C 434.691406 139.136719 453.558594 139.136719 453.558594 139.136719 C 453.558594 139.136719 453.558594 68.929688 453.558594 68.929688 C 456.957031 64 461.039062 61.621094 465.796875 61.621094 C 469.367188 61.621094 471.574219 64.683594 471.574219 70.972656 C 471.574219 70.972656 471.574219 139.136719 471.574219 139.136719 C 471.574219 139.136719 490.445312 139.136719 490.445312 139.136719 C 490.445312 139.136719 490.445312 68.929688 490.445312 68.929688 C 494.183594 64 497.925781 61.621094 502.855469 61.621094 C 506.425781 61.621094 508.632812 64.683594 508.632812 70.972656 C 508.632812 70.972656 508.632812 139.136719 508.632812 139.136719 C 508.632812 139.136719 527.5 139.136719 527.5 139.136719 C 527.5 139.136719 527.5 73.351562 527.5 73.351562 C 527.5 55.164062 524.101562 46.152344 510.332031 46.152344 C 502.683594 46.152344 496.054688 49.894531 489.257812 57.714844 C 486.363281 49.894531 481.433594 46.152344 473.445312 46.152344 C 465.796875 46.152344 459 50.0625 451.859375 57.714844 C 451.859375 57.714844 451.851562 45.015625 451.851562 45.015625 Z M 451.851562 45.015625 "/>
<path fill-rule="nonzero" fill="#ffffff" fill-opacity="1" d="M 535.761719 168.179688 C 535.761719 168.179688 536.074219 151.207031 536.074219 151.207031 C 547.703125 151.207031 551.324219 147.46875 551.324219 138.800781 C 551.324219 134.71875 549.792969 128.089844 547.582031 118.738281 C 547.582031 118.738281 530.585938 47.6875 530.585938 47.6875 C 530.585938 47.6875 549.453125 47.6875 549.453125 47.6875 C 549.453125 47.6875 559.3125 96.980469 559.3125 96.980469 C 559.824219 99.195312 560.503906 105.824219 561.355469 116.871094 C 561.863281 106.164062 562.542969 99.53125 563.050781 97.152344 C 563.050781 97.152344 573.425781 47.6875 573.425781 47.6875 C 573.425781 47.6875 591.4375 47.6875 591.4375 47.6875 C 591.4375 47.6875 570.191406 140.328125 570.191406 140.328125 C 565.769531 159.367188 558.125 168.207031 541.804688 168.207031 C 541.257812 168.207031 536.9375 168.210938 535.761719 168.179688 Z M 535.761719 168.179688 "/>
</svg>
");
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-size: 100% 100%;
background-position: left center;
}
.site-logo img {
opacity: 0 !important;
display: block !important;
}
</style>
<style id="core-block-supports-inline-css">
.wp-elements-1 a:where(:not(.wp-element-button)){color:var(--wp--preset--color--white);}.wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849{flex-wrap:nowrap;}
/*# sourceURL=core-block-supports-inline-css */
</style>
</head>
<body class="wp-singular post-template-default single single-post postid-176448 single-format-standard wp-custom-logo wp-embed-responsive wp-theme-seedlet wp-child-theme-astronomy kserv-logged-out singular has-main-navigation">
<!-- Top Banner -->
<div class="top-banner" id="topBanner">
<div class="banner-content">
<div class="banner-text">
<span class="banner-highlight">Astronomy forum</span>
Connect with fellow astronomy enthusiasts! </div>
<a href="https://forum.astronomy.com/" class="banner-button" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get started</a>
</div>
<button class="close-button" onclick="closeBanner()" aria-label="Close banner">×</button>
</div>
<script>
//astronomy.com Page Visit
olytics.fire({
behaviorId : '0907D2453689A1J',
category : 'robotic-spaceflight',
type : 'article',
title : "U.S. confirms it has weapons in orbit | Astronomy.com",
description : "Air Force Secretary Troy Meink's announcement is the first official U.S. acknowledgment of space-based weapons.",
url : 'https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit/',
sitename : 'ASY',
slug : 'u-s-confirms-it-has-weapons-in-orbit',
modifiedtime : '2026-09-15 15:54:27',
publishedtime : '2026-09-15 15:54:26',
tag : '',
subcategory : '',
ages : '',
brands : '',
productprice : '',
presale : ''
});
</script>
<!-- End Omeda Olytics -->
<div id="page" class="site">
<a class="skip-link screen-reader-text" href="#content">Skip to content</a>
<header class="site-header" role="banner">
<div class="site-header-top">
<div class="site-logo">
<a href="https://www.astronomy.com/" class="custom-logo-link" rel="home"><img width="236" height="64" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cropped-Logo-white@2x.png" class="custom-logo" alt="Astronomy Magazine logo" decoding="async" /></a> </div>
<div class="menu-secondary-header-nav-container"><ul id="menu-secondary-header-nav" class="inline-list"><li id="menu-item-47847" class="kserv-login menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-47847"><a href="#">Login / Register</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-47884" class="kserv-logout menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-47884"><a href="#">Logout</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-125577" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-125577"><a href="https://thespacestore.com/">Shop</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-47848" class="menu-item-button-outline menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-47848"><a href="https://firecrown.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=ASY_New&pk=ACF61A1">Subscribe</a></li>
</ul></div>
<div class="mobile-navigation-triggers">
<button class="search-bar-trigger js-search-bar-trigger-secondary button button-icon" title="Search" aria-controls="search" aria-expanded="false">
<svg class="closed" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M9.053 0c5 0 9.053 4.053 9.053 9.053 0 2.082-.71 3.994-1.891 5.523l3.447 3.447c.45.451.45 1.188 0 1.639-.451.45-1.188.45-1.639 0l-3.447-3.447a9.003 9.003 0 01-5.523 1.891c-5 0-9.053-4.053-9.053-9.053C0 4.053 4.053 0 9.053 0zm0 2.108a6.945 6.945 0 00-6.945 6.945 6.945 6.945 0 006.945 6.945 6.945 6.945 0 006.945-6.945 6.945 6.945 0 00-6.945-6.945z" fill="#FFF" fill-rule="evenodd"/></svg> <svg class="opened" width="48" height="48" viewBox="0 0 48 48" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect width="48" height="48" fill="white" fill-opacity="0.01"/><path d="M8 8L40 40" stroke="#FFF" stroke-width="4" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/><path d="M8 40L40 8" stroke="#FFF" stroke-width="4" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/></svg> </button>
<button id="primary-open-menu" class="nav-trigger button button-icon" title="Open menu" aria-controls="primary-menu-list" aria-expanded="false">
<svg width="30" height="14" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M30 12v2H6v-2h24zm0-6v2H0V6h30zm0-6v2H6V0h24z" fill="#FFF" fill-rule="evenodd"/></svg> </button>
<button id="primary-close-menu" class="nav-trigger button button-icon" title="Close menu" aria-controls="primary-menu-list" aria-expanded="false">
<svg class="opened" width="48" height="48" viewBox="0 0 48 48" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect width="48" height="48" fill="white" fill-opacity="0.01"/><path d="M8 8L40 40" stroke="#FFF" stroke-width="4" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/><path d="M8 40L40 8" stroke="#FFF" stroke-width="4" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/></svg> </button>
</div>
</div>
<hr>
<div class="site-header-primary">
<div class="menu-primary-navigation-container"><ul id="menu-primary-navigation" class="inline-list"><li id="menu-item-122372" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-122372"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/news/">News</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-61259" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-61259"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Science</a><svg class="svg-icon" width="24" height="24" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M6.96954 10.2804L11.9999 15.3107L17.0302 10.2804L15.9695 9.21973L11.9999 13.1894L8.0302 9.21973L6.96954 10.2804Z" fill="currentColor"/></svg>
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li id="menu-item-122351" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122351"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/solar-system/">Solar System</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122352" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122352"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/exoplanets/">Exoplanets</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122353" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122353"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/stars/">Stars</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122356" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122356"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/milky-way/">Milky Way</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122354" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122354"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/galaxies/">Galaxies</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122358" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122358"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/exotic-objects/">Exotic Objects</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122359" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122359"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/cosmology/">Cosmology</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="menu-item-122360" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-122360"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Observing</a><svg class="svg-icon" width="24" height="24" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M6.96954 10.2804L11.9999 15.3107L17.0302 10.2804L15.9695 9.21973L11.9999 13.1894L8.0302 9.21973L6.96954 10.2804Z" fill="currentColor"/></svg>
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li id="menu-item-124916" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-124916"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/in-the-sky/">In The Sky</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122363" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122363"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/upcoming-events/">Upcoming Events</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122362" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122362"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/the-sun/">The Sun</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122361" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122361"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/the-moon/">The Moon</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122364" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122364"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/planets-observing/">Planets</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-166851" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-166851"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/comets/">Comets</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122365" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122365"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/deep-sky-objects/">Deep-Sky Objects</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122366" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122366"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/observing-basics/">Observing Basics</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122367" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122367"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/telescopes-equipment/">Telescopes and Equipment</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122368" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122368"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/astrophotography/">Astrophotography</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-156575" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-156575"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/gear-guide/">Gear Guide</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-153987" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-153987"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/tags/this-week-in-astronomy/">This Week in Astronomy</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="menu-item-122369" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-122369"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Space Exploration</a><svg class="svg-icon" width="24" height="24" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M6.96954 10.2804L11.9999 15.3107L17.0302 10.2804L15.9695 9.21973L11.9999 13.1894L8.0302 9.21973L6.96954 10.2804Z" fill="currentColor"/></svg>
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li id="menu-item-163837" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-163837"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/whats-launching-this-week/">What’s Launching This Week</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122370" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122370"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/human-spaceflight/">Human Spaceflight</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122371" class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category current-post-ancestor current-menu-parent current-post-parent menu-item-122371"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/robotic-spaceflight/">Robotic Spaceflight</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="menu-item-122373" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-122373"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/magazine/">The Magazine</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-122378" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-122378"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/ask-astro/">Ask Astro</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-166607" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-166607"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/astronomys-15th-annual-star-products/">Star Products</a></li>
</ul></div>
<div id="mobile-drawer" class="site-header-menus">
<div class="menu-primary-header-nav-mobile-container"><ul id="menu-primary-header-nav-mobile" class="inline-list"><li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-122372"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/news/">News</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-61259"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Science</a><svg class="svg-icon" width="24" height="24" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M6.96954 10.2804L11.9999 15.3107L17.0302 10.2804L15.9695 9.21973L11.9999 13.1894L8.0302 9.21973L6.96954 10.2804Z" fill="currentColor"/></svg>
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122351"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/solar-system/">Solar System</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122352"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/exoplanets/">Exoplanets</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122353"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/stars/">Stars</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122356"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/milky-way/">Milky Way</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122354"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/galaxies/">Galaxies</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122358"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/exotic-objects/">Exotic Objects</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122359"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/cosmology/">Cosmology</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-122360"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Observing</a><svg class="svg-icon" width="24" height="24" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M6.96954 10.2804L11.9999 15.3107L17.0302 10.2804L15.9695 9.21973L11.9999 13.1894L8.0302 9.21973L6.96954 10.2804Z" fill="currentColor"/></svg>
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-124916"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/in-the-sky/">In The Sky</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122363"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/upcoming-events/">Upcoming Events</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122362"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/the-sun/">The Sun</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122361"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/the-moon/">The Moon</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122364"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/planets-observing/">Planets</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-166851"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/comets/">Comets</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122365"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/deep-sky-objects/">Deep-Sky Objects</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122366"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/observing-basics/">Observing Basics</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122367"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/telescopes-equipment/">Telescopes and Equipment</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122368"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/astrophotography/">Astrophotography</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-156575"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/gear-guide/">Gear Guide</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-153987"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/tags/this-week-in-astronomy/">This Week in Astronomy</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-122369"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Space Exploration</a><svg class="svg-icon" width="24" height="24" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M6.96954 10.2804L11.9999 15.3107L17.0302 10.2804L15.9695 9.21973L11.9999 13.1894L8.0302 9.21973L6.96954 10.2804Z" fill="currentColor"/></svg>
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-163837"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/whats-launching-this-week/">What’s Launching This Week</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category menu-item-122370"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/human-spaceflight/">Human Spaceflight</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-category current-post-ancestor current-menu-parent current-post-parent menu-item-122371"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/robotic-spaceflight/">Robotic Spaceflight</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-122373"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/magazine/">The Magazine</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-122378"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/ask-astro/">Ask Astro</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-166607"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/astronomys-15th-annual-star-products/">Star Products</a></li>
</ul></div><div class="menu-secondary-header-nav-mobile-container"><ul id="menu-secondary-header-nav-mobile" class="menu"><li class="kserv-login menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-47847"><a href="#">Login / Register</a></li>
<li class="kserv-logout menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-47884"><a href="#">Logout</a></li>
<li class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-125577"><a href="https://thespacestore.com/">Shop</a></li>
<li class="menu-item-button-outline menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-47848"><a href="https://firecrown.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=ASY_New&pk=ACF61A1">Subscribe</a></li>
</ul></div> </div>
<button class="search-bar-trigger js-search-bar-trigger-primary button button-icon" title="Search" aria-controls="search" aria-expanded="false">
<svg class="closed" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M9.053 0c5 0 9.053 4.053 9.053 9.053 0 2.082-.71 3.994-1.891 5.523l3.447 3.447c.45.451.45 1.188 0 1.639-.451.45-1.188.45-1.639 0l-3.447-3.447a9.003 9.003 0 01-5.523 1.891c-5 0-9.053-4.053-9.053-9.053C0 4.053 4.053 0 9.053 0zm0 2.108a6.945 6.945 0 00-6.945 6.945 6.945 6.945 0 006.945 6.945 6.945 6.945 0 006.945-6.945 6.945 6.945 0 00-6.945-6.945z" fill="#FFF" fill-rule="evenodd"/></svg> <svg class="opened" width="48" height="48" viewBox="0 0 48 48" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect width="48" height="48" fill="white" fill-opacity="0.01"/><path d="M8 8L40 40" stroke="#FFF" stroke-width="4" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/><path d="M8 40L40 8" stroke="#FFF" stroke-width="4" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/></svg> </button>
</div>
</header>
<div class="search-bar js-search-bar">
<div class="default-max-width">
<form role="search" method="get" class="search-form" action="https://www.astronomy.com/">
<label>
<span class="screen-reader-text">Search for:</span>
<input type="search" class="search-field" placeholder="Search …" value="" name="s" />
</label>
<input type="submit" class="search-submit" value="Search" />
</form> </div>
</div>
<div id="content" class="site-content">
<section id="primary" class="content-area">
<main id="main" class="site-main has-sidebar" role="main">
<div class="site-main__content">
<!-- Google Ad - Article Desktop - 970x90 -->
<div id="gpt-ad-article-970x90" class="google-ad gpt-ad-article-970x90 desktop-only aligncenter" style="min-width: 970px; min-height: 90px;">
<script>
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('gpt-ad-article-970x90'); });
</script>
</div>
<!-- Google Ad - Article Mobile - 320x50 -->
<div id="gpt-ad-article-320x50" class="google-ad gpt-ad-article-320x50 mobile-only aligncenter" style="min-width: 320px; min-height: 50px;">
<script>
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('gpt-ad-article-320x50'); });
</script>
</div>
<article id="post-176448" class="post-176448 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-robotic-spaceflight tag-news tag-robotic-spaceflight entitlements-free entry">
<header class="article-header entry-header">
<button type="button" class="article-header__back-button js-back-button" aria-label="Return to the previous page">
Back to Article List </button>
<h1 class="article-header__title entry-title">U.S. confirms it has weapons in orbit</h1>
<div class="article-header__desc">
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink's announcement is the first official U.S. acknowledgment of space-based weapons. </div>
<div class="article-header__meta">
<span class="author">
By <a href="https://www.astronomy.com/author/brooks-mendenhall/" title="Posts by Brooks Mendenhall" class="author url fn" rel="author">Brooks Mendenhall</a> </span>
<span class="sep"> | </span>
<span class="date">
Published: September 15, 2026 </span>
</div>
<br />
<script type="module" crossorigin src="https://instaread.co/js/instaread.player.js"></script>
<instaread-player publication="astronomy"></instaread-player>
</header>
<div class="entry-content">
<div class="featured-img">
<img width="2000" height="1553" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/260914-F-JJ904-1095.jpeg?w=2000" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" />
<div class="featured-img__caption">
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink delivers his keynote address at the 2026 Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, on Sept. 14. During the speech, Meink confirmed for the first time that the U.S. has on-orbit space control weapons. Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya </div>
</div>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In a groundbreaking announcement, the U.S. Space Force stated publicly on Monday, Sept. 14, that it currently has on-orbit weapons in space.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Department of the Air Force Secretary Troy Meink’s <a href="https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4600887/meink-offers-blueprint-for-modernizing-air-space-forces-affordably/">keynote address at the 2026 Air and Space Cyber Conference</a> focused on plans to modernize the Air Force against AI-powered weapons and capabilities wielded by adversaries — capabilities that, in his view, have outpaced the Air Force’s current budget process, and are moving faster than he imagined when he took the job 18 months ago. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Air Force, according to Meink, will look “radically different” by 2032. Part of that change involves weapons placed in orbit to defend the United States against what Meink calls “existing threats” from its adversaries. It’s an unsurprising announcement given President Trump’s space policy over the last several years — but one that could reshape the geopolitical landscape for years to come as the U.S. finds itself in the midst of what some experts have called a second space race.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“We are increasing readiness against existing threats, and the United States has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action,” said Meink during his address.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Transparency without details</h2>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Michelle Hanlon, executive director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi, tells <em>Astronomy</em> that she appreciates the announcement and the increased transparency. “The United States depends enormously on space-based capabilities, and publicly acknowledging that it has capabilities to protect its access to space and its space assets sends an important deterrent signal. It also reflects the reality that space is already a military domain and that the United States is taking the protection of its space infrastructure seriously.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Of course, there is always a risk that one State’s deterrent is another State’s justification for increasing its own capabilities,” Hanlon acknowledges. “That is why I think the transparency here is important. Acknowledging the existence of a capability does not make space less peaceful. Done carefully, transparency can reduce uncertainty, strengthen deterrence and create a more realistic foundation for discussions about norms and limits on conduct in space.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That risk is exactly what worries other observers. Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association — a nonpartisan organization dedicated to supporting arms control policies — told <a href="https://www.techtimes.com/articles/327520/20260915/pentagon-admits-space-weapons-exist-deter-attack-experts-say-move-may-invite-it.htm">TechTimes</a> that statements like Meink’s carry “far-reaching consequences” that could create an unstable international space environment. Victoria Samson, chief director at the Secure World Foundation, put it more bluntly to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/15/weapons-in-space-us-air-force-meink.html">CNBC</a>: “In general this is a very destabilizing statement by the United States.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Whether the announcement will do more harm than good aside, it is transparent only to a point. Meink did not disclose the particulars of the so-called “on-orbit space control weapons,” and it remains unclear what the weapons are, how they operate, or when they were placed in orbit.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But according to space security expert Juliana Suess of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, the lack of information was intentional. “It’s a strategic consideration to not disclose what exactly this is,” she said, according to reporting from <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/15/weapons-in-space-us-air-force-meink.html">CNBC</a>. “This could be anything. The only thing that we know is that it is based in space, so this is not a sort of missile based on Earth that could hit a satellite in orbit.”</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">China and Russia’s counterspace programs</h2>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Depending on who you ask, the announcement can be seen as a defensive response to Chinese and Russian counterspace development, or as the latest move in a cycle the U.S. set in motion. A Space Force spokesperson told <a href="https://abcnews.com/Politics/air-force-secretary-acknowledges-us-weapons-space/story?id=136437923">ABC News</a> that “the U.S. has warned about Russian and Chinese weapons testing since 2007,” and that “due to their actions, it is no longer a question that space is a warfighting domain.” Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear policy scholar at Stanford, argued in a <a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/">Sept. 1 Foreign </a><a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/powder-keg-outer-space" type="link" id="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/powder-keg-outer-space">Affairs</a><a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/"> piece</a> published before Meink’s announcement that the causality may run the other way. He says Russian and Chinese investment can be viewed as a reaction to the U.S. withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and the more recent development of the Golden Dome program.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">According to the <a href="https://www.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Display/Article/4297159/space-threat-fact-sheet/">Space Force</a>, both China and Russia have spent the last several years developing space and counterspace capabilities for military use — China through ground-based lasers capable of disrupting satellite sensors and a growing constellation of surveillance satellites, and Russia through antisatellite missile tests, including a 2021 strike on a defunct Soviet satellite that scattered roughly 1,500 pieces of trackable debris.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Hanlon says the disclosure matters most in the context of that competition with China. “We are in a second space race, but this one is not simply about who reaches a destination first,” she says. Rather, it is about “access, infrastructure, resources, commercial activity and the rules that will govern all of them. The ability to protect U.S. and allied space assets is part of maintaining that access.”</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">China responds</h2>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">China responded quickly to the announcement, condemning the militarization of space. “China stands for the peaceful use of outer space and opposes any attempts to weaponize it or turn it into a war zone and any arms race in outer space,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun <a href="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-09-15/China-urges-US-to-stop-weaponization-of-outer-space-1QsSi6y11h6/p.html">said in a press release</a>. “We urge the U.S. to stop expanding its military build-up in outer space, and uphold global strategic stability with concrete actions.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Jiakun’s statement echoes the language of the <a href="https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.html">1967 Outer Space Treaty</a>, which requires that the Moon and other celestial bodies be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and bars any nation from placing nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is this legal?</h2>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Meink’s disclosure is the latest step in a broader space policy the Trump administration has been building since 2019 — one aimed squarely at establishing U.S. dominance in orbit.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">President Trump signed the Space Force into law in December 2019, creating a branch charged with securing freedom of operation for the U.S. “in, from, and to space.” <a href="https://uclawreview.org/2021/05/19/the-force-awakens-the-legality-of-the-u-s-space-force/">Legal scholars have since debated</a> whether the service squares with the Outer Space Treaty at all — the treaty bars weapons of mass destruction and weapons testing in space but says nothing about placing other weapons there, a gap critics argue leaves plenty of room for the kind of capability Meink just confirmed.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“From a legal perspective, the announcement does not itself cross a line established by the Outer Space Treaty,” explains Hanlon. “Article IV prohibits placing nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but it does not impose a comparable prohibition on conventional weapons in Earth orbit.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“The Outer Space Treaty was never a complete demilitarization treaty,” Hanlon adds. “Military uses of Earth orbit have existed since the beginning of the Space Age. The legal question is not simply whether the United States may possess a conventional capability in orbit — deployment and use are different questions. The circumstances in which such a capability is actually used would determine whether that use is lawful.”</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trump’s broader space policy</h2>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump’s administration further clarified its intentions in orbit with a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/ensuring-american-space-superiority/">2025 executive order</a>, “Ensuring American Space Superiority,” which directed the Pentagon to detect and counter adversary threats from low-Earth orbit through cislunar space (the area of space extending in three dimensions from Earth to the Moon’s orbit).</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There is also the Pentagon’s proposed <a href="https://www.astronomy.com/science/heres-how-trumps-golden-dome-would-work-and-why-some-call-it-a-fantasy/">“Golden Dome” missile-defense system</a> — a constellation of sensors and interceptors meant to shoot down ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles before they reach the U.S. — <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/ensuring-american-space-superiority/">scheduled</a> for its first major test in the fourth quarter of 2028, just months ahead of the presidential election. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Part of that system is the Space Force’s Space-Based Interceptor program, which Meink said has already moved from initial contract to flight-ready hardware in under a year, backed by as much as $3.2 billion in agreements across a dozen companies. Meink also pointed to progress on the Space Data Network, a satellite backbone designed to keep sensors and weapons systems linked in real time.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, who served as Chief of Space Operations until Sept. 3, 2026, told the AFA Warfare Symposium in March 2025 that “space control encapsulates the mission areas required to contest and control the space domain — employing kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect adversary capabilities, from disruption to degradation to destruction.” In military terms, kinetic means involve physical destruction and violence, like conventional weapons, while nonkinetic means cause only psychological or technological damage. In short, Saltzman was signaling that for the U.S. to maintain dominance in space, weapons would need to be part of the equation — a statement that hinted at the very capabilities Meink has now confirmed.</p>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em><strong>Brooks Mendenhall </strong>is a staff writer at Astronomy, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, fueled by an unending curiosity about the universe. A former classroom teacher, he has a knack for breaking down complex concepts for a wide audience.</em></p>
</div><!-- .entry-content -->
</article>
<div class="related-posts glide " tabindex="0" aria-label="Related posts">
<h3 class="related-posts__heading">
Up Next </h3>
<div class="related-posts__slides">
<div class="js-glide-carousel" data-carousel_config="related-posts-carousel">
<div class="glide__arrows glide__arrow-left" data-glide-el="controls[nav]">
<button class="glide__arrow" data-glide-dir="<">
<span class="screen-reader-text">Previous</span>
</button>
</div>
<div class="glide__arrows glide__arrow-right" data-glide-el="controls[nav]">
<button class="glide__arrow" data-glide-dir=">">
<span class="screen-reader-text">Next</span>
</button>
</div>
<div class="glide__track" data-glide-el="track">
<ul class="glide__slides">
<li class="related-posts__slide js-carousel__slide glide__slide">
<article id="post-176477" class="wp-block-kb-post-card agency-ui-card post-176477 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-robotic-spaceflight tag-artemis-program tag-magazine tag-nasa tag-robotic-spaceflight tag-spacex issues-september-2026 entitlements-free entry">
<a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/why-we-need-in-orbit-refueling-to-return-to-the-moon/" class="card-image" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Why we need in-orbit refueling to return to the Moon">
<img width="768" height="429" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ASY-NX0926_05.webp?w=768" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ASY-NX0926_05.webp 5376w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ASY-NX0926_05.webp?resize=1200,670 1200w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ASY-NX0926_05.webp?resize=768,429 768w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ASY-NX0926_05.webp?resize=1536,857 1536w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ASY-NX0926_05.webp?resize=2048,1143 2048w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ASY-NX0926_05.webp?resize=1568,875 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> </a>
<div class="card-content">
<div class="card-content-type"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/features/" rel="tag">Features</a>, <a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/robotic-spaceflight/" rel="tag">Robotic Spaceflight</a></div>
<h3 class="card-title"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/why-we-need-in-orbit-refueling-to-return-to-the-moon/" >Why we need in-orbit refueling to return to the Moon</a></h3>
</div>
</article>
</li>
<li class="related-posts__slide js-carousel__slide glide__slide">
<article id="post-166241" class="wp-block-kb-post-card agency-ui-card post-166241 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-robotic-spaceflight category-today-in-the-history-of-astronomy tag-robotic-spaceflight tag-saturn entry">
<a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-15-2017-cassinis-grand-finale/" class="card-image" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Sept. 15, 2017, Cassini’s Grand Finale">
<img width="768" height="766" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/1061_Enceladus-2.png?w=768" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="A pale yellow, smoothly textured sphere fills the bottom half of the frame, slanting downward to the right. A thin, vivid blue outline traces its curved edge against a solid black space background. A tiny, dim grey crescent moon peeks out from directly behind the blue horizon near the center." decoding="async" srcset="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/1061_Enceladus-2.png 1006w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/1061_Enceladus-2.png?resize=300,300 300w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/1061_Enceladus-2.png?resize=768,766 768w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> </a>
<div class="card-content">
<div class="card-content-type"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/robotic-spaceflight/" rel="tag">Robotic Spaceflight</a>, <a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/" rel="tag">Today in the History of Astronomy</a></div>
<h3 class="card-title"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-15-2017-cassinis-grand-finale/" >Sept. 15, 2017, Cassini’s Grand Finale</a></h3>
</div>
</article>
</li>
<li class="related-posts__slide js-carousel__slide glide__slide">
<article id="post-166238" class="wp-block-kb-post-card agency-ui-card post-166238 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-robotic-spaceflight category-today-in-the-history-of-astronomy tag-robotic-spaceflight tag-the-sun entry">
<a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-13-1994-ulysses-at-the-suns-south-pole/" class="card-image" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Sept. 13, 1994: Ulysses at the Sun’s south pole">
<img width="768" height="432" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ulysses-e1757716259633.jpg?w=768" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="An illustration shows a boxy, gold-foil-wrapped spacecraft with a large black dish antenna on the left, positioned in front of a glowing, fiery sphere on the right against a solid black space background. The central sun-like orb ranges in color from dark, swirling reddish-browns to intense, bright yellow flare-like bursts around its edges. Several thin, metallic booms and antenna rods extend outward diagonally from the main body of the satellite, creating strong geometric contrast with the soft, fiery texture behind it." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ulysses-e1757716259633.jpg 1000w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ulysses-e1757716259633.jpg?resize=768,432 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> </a>
<div class="card-content">
<div class="card-content-type"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/robotic-spaceflight/" rel="tag">Robotic Spaceflight</a>, <a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/" rel="tag">Today in the History of Astronomy</a></div>
<h3 class="card-title"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-13-1994-ulysses-at-the-suns-south-pole/" >Sept. 13, 1994: Ulysses at the Sun’s south pole</a></h3>
</div>
</article>
</li>
<li class="related-posts__slide js-carousel__slide glide__slide">
<article id="post-166223" class="wp-block-kb-post-card agency-ui-card post-166223 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-robotic-spaceflight category-today-in-the-history-of-astronomy tag-robotic-spaceflight tag-the-moon entry">
<a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-12-1959-luna-2-launches/" class="card-image" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Sept. 12, 1959: Luna 2 launches">
<img width="768" height="555" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kansas_Cosmosphere_Luna_2_Pennant_2013-1-scaled-e1757603899757.jpeg?w=768" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="A metallic grey sphere made of interlocking pentagonal and hexagonal tiles sits centrally against a bright, plain white background. Each brushed-metal tile is engraved with Cyrillic text, numerals, and small crest emblems, resembling a soccer ball structure. Overhead display lighting creates soft reflections on the upper hemisphere and subtle shadows along the lower curves." decoding="async" loading="lazy" /> </a>
<div class="card-content">
<div class="card-content-type"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/robotic-spaceflight/" rel="tag">Robotic Spaceflight</a>, <a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/" rel="tag">Today in the History of Astronomy</a></div>
<h3 class="card-title"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-12-1959-luna-2-launches/" >Sept. 12, 1959: Luna 2 launches</a></h3>
</div>
</article>
</li>
<li class="related-posts__slide js-carousel__slide glide__slide">
<article id="post-166165" class="wp-block-kb-post-card agency-ui-card post-166165 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-robotic-spaceflight category-today-in-the-history-of-astronomy tag-comets tag-robotic-spaceflight entry">
<a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-11-1985-the-ice-probe-encounters-comet-giacobini-zinner/" class="card-image" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Sept. 11, 1985: The ICE probe encounters Comet Giacobini-Zinner">
<img width="673" height="507" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/isee-3_0.jpeg?w=673" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="An illustration shows a cylindrical spacecraft floating centrally against a dark, painted background of deep purple and blue space speckled with white stars. The main metallic body features blue solar panels along its sides and a bright teal circular end, with numerous thin antennas and booms extending outward in all directions like spiky spokes. Even, bright lighting highlights the satellite's intricate shape against the dark starfield backdrop." decoding="async" loading="lazy" /> </a>
<div class="card-content">
<div class="card-content-type"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/robotic-spaceflight/" rel="tag">Robotic Spaceflight</a>, <a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/" rel="tag">Today in the History of Astronomy</a></div>
<h3 class="card-title"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-11-1985-the-ice-probe-encounters-comet-giacobini-zinner/" >Sept. 11, 1985: The ICE probe encounters Comet Giacobini-Zinner</a></h3>
</div>
</article>
</li>
<li class="related-posts__slide js-carousel__slide glide__slide">
<article id="post-166160" class="wp-block-kb-post-card agency-ui-card post-166160 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-robotic-spaceflight category-today-in-the-history-of-astronomy tag-alien-life tag-asteroids tag-robotic-spaceflight entry">
<a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-8-2016-osiris-rex-launches/" class="card-image" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Sept. 8, 2016: OSIRIS-REx launches">
<img width="768" height="768" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/arrival-bennu-full-rotation.webp?w=768" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="A monochrome, close-up photograph shows a diamond-shaped asteroid with a rough, gravel-like surface centered against a solid black background. Bright, direct lighting highlights thousands of tiny, reflective grey and white specks interspersed with dark, pitted shadows and scattered boulders. High contrast emphasizes its jagged, rounded perimeter and uneven, rubble-covered terrain." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/arrival-bennu-full-rotation.webp 1100w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/arrival-bennu-full-rotation.webp?resize=300,300 300w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/arrival-bennu-full-rotation.webp?resize=768,768 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> </a>
<div class="card-content">
<div class="card-content-type"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/robotic-spaceflight/" rel="tag">Robotic Spaceflight</a>, <a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/" rel="tag">Today in the History of Astronomy</a></div>
<h3 class="card-title"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-8-2016-osiris-rex-launches/" >Sept. 8, 2016: OSIRIS-REx launches</a></h3>
</div>
</article>
</li>
<li class="related-posts__slide js-carousel__slide glide__slide">
<article id="post-166158" class="wp-block-kb-post-card agency-ui-card post-166158 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-human-spaceflight category-robotic-spaceflight category-today-in-the-history-of-astronomy tag-human-spaceflight tag-robotic-spaceflight entry">
<a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-7-1914-the-birth-of-james-van-allen/" class="card-image" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Sept. 7, 1914: The birth of James Van Allen">
<img width="460" height="592" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/James_van_Allen.jpg?w=460" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="A medium portrait shows a man in a grey suit jacket, collared shirt, and red-and-blue striped tie standing in the center foreground. Directly above him, a large white dish antenna suspended from overhead metal trusses dominates the upper background, alongside a slender, rocket-shaped object mounted horizontally to the left. Warm indoor lighting illuminates the subject, casting soft shadows across his face and the tan-colored walls behind him." decoding="async" loading="lazy" /> </a>
<div class="card-content">
<div class="card-content-type"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/human-spaceflight/" rel="tag">Human Spaceflight</a>, <a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/robotic-spaceflight/" rel="tag">Robotic Spaceflight</a>, <a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/" rel="tag">Today in the History of Astronomy</a></div>
<h3 class="card-title"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-7-1914-the-birth-of-james-van-allen/" >Sept. 7, 1914: The birth of James Van Allen</a></h3>
</div>
</article>
</li>
<li class="related-posts__slide js-carousel__slide glide__slide">
<article id="post-166146" class="wp-block-kb-post-card agency-ui-card post-166146 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-robotic-spaceflight category-today-in-the-history-of-astronomy tag-milky-way tag-robotic-spaceflight entry">
<a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-5-2001-the-milky-way-has-a-black-hole/" class="card-image" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Sept. 5, 2001: The Milky Way has a black hole">
<img width="504" height="504" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/0204flare_xray.jpg?w=504" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="An abstract, brightly glowing cloud shape sits centered against a solid black background. The core of the formation glows bright white and yellow, surrounded by a greenish layer that diffuses into a larger, deep red outer haze. Tiny, multicolored pinpricks of light—mostly yellow, green, and white—are scattered across the central core and the dark space surrounding it." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/0204flare_xray.jpg 504w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/0204flare_xray.jpg?resize=300,300 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 504px) 100vw, 504px" /> </a>
<div class="card-content">
<div class="card-content-type"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/robotic-spaceflight/" rel="tag">Robotic Spaceflight</a>, <a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/" rel="tag">Today in the History of Astronomy</a></div>
<h3 class="card-title"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/sept-5-2001-the-milky-way-has-a-black-hole/" >Sept. 5, 2001: The Milky Way has a black hole</a></h3>
</div>
</article>
</li>
<li class="related-posts__slide js-carousel__slide glide__slide">
<article id="post-176254" class="wp-block-kb-post-card agency-ui-card post-176254 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-robotic-spaceflight tag-news tag-robotic-spaceflight tag-satellites entitlements-free entry">
<a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/scientists-watch-as-two-satellites-burn/" class="card-image" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Scientists watch as two satellites burn">
<img width="768" height="767" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Cluster_pillars.jpg?w=768" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Cluster_pillars.jpg 1920w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Cluster_pillars.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Cluster_pillars.jpg?resize=1200,1198 1200w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Cluster_pillars.jpg?resize=768,767 768w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Cluster_pillars.jpg?resize=1536,1534 1536w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Cluster_pillars.jpg?resize=1568,1566 1568w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> </a>
<div class="card-content">
<div class="card-content-type"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/robotic-spaceflight/" rel="tag">Robotic Spaceflight</a></div>
<h3 class="card-title"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/scientists-watch-as-two-satellites-burn/" >Scientists watch as two satellites burn</a></h3>
</div>
</article>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<aside id="sidebar" class="sidebar-area">
<div class="google-ad " id="29154dd8-12d5-4fe9-9e76-09bad4c6e0bc" data-gpt-ad="true" data-account-id="3004818" data-slot-code="ASY-MedRect2" data-sizes="[{"width":300,"height":250}]" style="min-width:300px;min-height:250px"><script>
window.googletag = window.googletag || { cmd: [] };
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
googletag
.defineSlot(
'/3004818/ASY-MedRect2',
[[300,250]],
'29154dd8-12d5-4fe9-9e76-09bad4c6e0bc'
)
.addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();
googletag.enableServices();
});
document.addEventListener(
"DOMContentLoaded",
function() {
googletag.cmd.push(function() {
googletag.display('29154dd8-12d5-4fe9-9e76-09bad4c6e0bc');
});
}
);
</script></div>
<div class="google-ad " id="47493286-f82c-4a25-820a-92ff51f5e86d" data-gpt-ad="true" data-account-id="3004818" data-slot-code="ASY-MedRectHouse" data-sizes="[{"width":300,"height":250}]" style="min-width:300px;min-height:250px"><script>
window.googletag = window.googletag || { cmd: [] };
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
googletag
.defineSlot(
'/3004818/ASY-MedRectHouse',
[[300,250]],
'47493286-f82c-4a25-820a-92ff51f5e86d'
)
.addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();
googletag.enableServices();
});
document.addEventListener(
"DOMContentLoaded",
function() {
googletag.cmd.push(function() {
googletag.display('47493286-f82c-4a25-820a-92ff51f5e86d');
});
}
);
</script></div>
<div class="wp-block-cover" style="padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0" id="right-rail-email-block"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="800" class="wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-61520" alt="" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/bg-image-footer-newsletter-mobile.png" data-object-fit="cover"/><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow">
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Astronomy Newsletter </h4>
<p class="has-x-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph">Get newsletters, updates and special offers via email from Astronomy.com!</p>
<form data-kserv-newsletter-form data-kserv-newsletter-optin="ASY" data-kserv-newsletter-source="SIDEBAR" data-kserv-newsletter-success="Thanks — you're subscribed." data-kserv-newsletter-error="We couldn't sign you up. Please try again." data-kserv-recaptcha-site-key="6LfcV-osAAAAAHnDSwR0vsTMVSe4LmFHze273xzC" data-kserv-recaptcha-action="newsletter" class="kserv-newsletter-form kserv-newsletter-form--stacked" novalidate>
<div class="kserv-newsletter-form__field">
<label for="kserv-newsletter-email-1" class="screen-reader-text">Email address</label>
<input type="email" id="kserv-newsletter-email-1" data-kserv-newsletter-email name="email" placeholder="Email address" autocomplete="email" required />
<span class="kserv-newsletter-form__field-error" data-kserv-newsletter-email-error hidden>Please enter a valid email address.</span>
</div>
<input type="hidden" data-kserv-recaptcha-token name="recaptcha_token" value="" /><script src="https://www.recaptcha.net/recaptcha/api.js?render=6LfcV-osAAAAAHnDSwR0vsTMVSe4LmFHze273xzC" async defer></script>
<button type="submit" class="kserv-newsletter-form__submit" data-kserv-newsletter-submit style="background:#fff;color:#000;">Subscribe</button>
<div class="kserv-newsletter-form__message" data-kserv-newsletter-message role="status" aria-live="polite" hidden></div>
</form>
</div></div>
<div class="wp-block-group has-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="748" height="872" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/3-Issue-Image@2x.png?w=620" alt="" class="wp-image-61513"/></figure>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color">Astronomy magazine: 50 years and counting</h4>
<p class="has-white-color has-text-color has-x-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph">Astronomy leads the astronomy hobby as the most popular magazine of its kind in the world. Get information about subscriptions, digital editions, renewals, advertising and much, much more.</p>
<p class="has-arrow-cta has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-small-font-size wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://firecrown.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=ASY_New&pk=ACB61A1"><strong>Count me in </strong></a></p>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-cover" style="padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;min-height:50px;aspect-ratio:unset;"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-20 has-background-dim"></span><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="800" class="wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-48246" alt="" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/bg-image-footer-newsletter-mobile.png" data-object-fit="cover"/><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow">
<div class="wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="600" height="788" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ProjectApolloCC_768.jpg?w=600" alt="" class="wp-image-43686" srcset="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ProjectApolloCC_768.jpg 600w, https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ProjectApolloCC_768.jpg?resize=228,300 228w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></figure>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow">
<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-x-small-font-size">FREE DOWNLOAD</h3>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">All About the Apollo Mission</h4>
</div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/the-apollo-program/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get it now</a></div>
</div>
</div></div>
</aside>
</main><!-- #main -->
</section><!-- #primary -->
</div><!-- #content -->
<footer id="colophon" class="site-footer" role="contentinfo" aria-label="Footer">
<div class="footer-main">
<div class="default-max-width">
<div class="footer-main-inner">
<div class="site-logo">
<a href="https://www.astronomy.com/" class="custom-logo-link" rel="home"><img width="236" height="64" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cropped-Logo-white@2x.png" class="custom-logo" alt="Astronomy Magazine logo" decoding="async" /></a> </div>
<div class="footer-main-menus">
<ul class="social-list inline-list">
<li>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AstronomyMagazine/">
<svg width="10" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M6.595 4.401c0-.78.556-.962.947-.962h2.403V.012L6.635 0c-3.674 0-4.51 2.556-4.51 4.192v2.284H0v3.531h2.125V20h4.47v-9.993H9.61L10 6.476H6.595V4.401z" fill="#FFF" fill-rule="evenodd"/></svg>
<span class="screen-reader-text">
Facebook </span>
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/astronomy-magazine">
<svg width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M19.843 19.435H15.59v-7.017c0-1.762-.616-2.965-2.155-2.965-1.175 0-1.875.81-2.182 1.595-.113.28-.14.67-.14 1.063v7.324H6.86s.056-11.885 0-13.114h4.255v1.856c.564-.893 1.574-2.165 3.833-2.165 1.398 0 2.622.468 3.497 1.44.875.973 1.399 2.45 1.399 4.464v7.519zM2.379 4.53H2.35C.923 4.53 0 3.523 0 2.264 0 .98.952 0 2.407 0c1.454 0 2.35.98 2.378 2.264 0 1.26-.924 2.266-2.406 2.266zM.25 19.435h4.253V6.32H.251v13.114z" fill="#FFF" fill-rule="evenodd"/></svg>
<span class="screen-reader-text">
LinkedIn </span>
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/astronomymagazine">
<svg width="24" height="16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M5.667.13A145.11 145.11 0 0116.852.088c1.23.04 2.496.088 3.62.178 2.532.202 3.173 1.738 3.406 4.154.04.408.057.836.071 1.2v.023c.054.066.008.228.024.333v.132c.054.134.008.363.023.535v2.932c-.015.104.031.266-.023.333v.133c-.016.104.03.267-.024.334v.11c-.014.082.031.223-.023.267-.016.098.03.252-.024.31-.1 1.433-.234 2.683-.893 3.534-.748.967-2.053 1.224-3.83 1.222-.032.05-.163.008-.236.02h-.235c-.04.053-.178.01-.258.024h-.282c-.047.05-.195.008-.282.023h-.328c-.025.02-.067.025-.114.025l-.148-.006-.068.003h-.376a.287.287 0 01-.141.025l-.176-.006-.082.003h-.423c-.126.05-.352.006-.517.022h-.563c-.174.052-.447.007-.659.023h-.846c-.745.037-1.653.037-2.397 0h-.799c-.235-.016-.533.029-.728-.023h-.61c-.182-.016-.424.029-.566-.022H7.83a.846.846 0 00-.095-.003l-.205.006a.417.417 0 01-.17-.025h-.424c-.125-.015-.313.028-.398-.022h-.352c-.104-.015-.268.029-.33-.023h-.306c-.086-.013-.234.029-.28-.023h-.237c-.079-.013-.218.03-.258-.021-1.725-.056-3.086-.27-3.807-1.266-.622-.86-.784-2.064-.87-3.49-.054-.058-.008-.212-.023-.31-.055-.044-.009-.185-.023-.267v-.11c-.055-.067-.009-.23-.024-.334v-.133c-.054-.067-.009-.23-.024-.333V6.642c.015-.172-.03-.401.024-.535v-.132c.015-.105-.03-.267.024-.333v-.023C.123 3.268.421 1.238 2.26.509 3.13.162 4.497.184 5.667.13zm3.854 4.468v6.332c.237-.08.42-.211.658-.29.044-.062.128-.085.211-.111a58.734 58.734 0 011.95-.955c.081-.057.176-.101.282-.134.112-.065.214-.14.353-.177.097-.065.206-.117.33-.157 0-.02.028-.016.046-.022a34.578 34.578 0 011.998-.977c.044-.062.128-.086.211-.111.117-.081.27-.131.4-.2-.04-.125-.228-.111-.307-.2-.082-.025-.167-.048-.21-.111a1.324 1.324 0 01-.33-.156c-.082-.024-.168-.048-.212-.11a1.344 1.344 0 01-.328-.156c-.083-.026-.168-.048-.212-.111-.044-.003-.078-.015-.093-.045-.16-.063-.327-.121-.447-.223-.044-.001-.079-.013-.094-.042-.16-.065-.326-.123-.446-.223-.044-.003-.079-.015-.095-.045-.159-.064-.325-.121-.446-.222-.087-.013-.138-.062-.212-.09-.104-.063-.25-.088-.329-.176-.086-.015-.137-.063-.21-.09-.106-.064-.25-.09-.33-.177-.087-.015-.138-.062-.21-.09-.106-.062-.252-.09-.33-.177-.038.006-.04-.02-.07-.022-.153-.086-.345-.134-.47-.244-.039.006-.04-.022-.072-.023-.152-.087-.344-.133-.469-.245-.039.007-.04-.02-.07-.021-.153-.064-.283-.15-.447-.2z" fill="#FFF" fill-rule="evenodd"/></svg>
<span class="screen-reader-text">
YouTube </span>
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/astronomy.magazine/">
<svg width="24" height="24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M11.477.002c1.393.004 2.786-.015 4.178.02a72.8 72.8 0 011.044.037c.33.015.662.032.992.066.492.05.977.134 1.454.264 1.169.321 2.182.9 3.01 1.794a6.191 6.191 0 011.319 2.23c.243.709.37 1.439.427 2.185.037.495.053.991.07 1.487.01.304.013.609.018.913l.002.67c0 .007.006.013.01.02v4.625c-.004.007-.01.014-.01.021l-.002.669c-.004.194-.003.388-.01.582-.008.363-.022.725-.037 1.088a14.06 14.06 0 01-.116 1.419 8.372 8.372 0 01-.352 1.497 6.149 6.149 0 01-1.92 2.796c-.697.585-1.5.965-2.37 1.213a8.95 8.95 0 01-1.787.303c-.488.037-.978.052-1.467.069-.31.012-.618.013-.926.019-.07-.001-.136-.004-.204-.002-.025 0-.054-.016-.073.013H9.275c-.006-.02-.023-.014-.036-.014l-.252.002c-.192-.002-.384-.003-.576-.008-.365-.01-.73-.023-1.094-.039a16.46 16.46 0 01-1.11-.077 8.805 8.805 0 01-1.485-.292 6.191 6.191 0 01-3.193-2.123C.864 20.616.482 19.656.266 18.624a10.603 10.603 0 01-.198-1.712 74.99 74.99 0 01-.05-1.337c-.01-.369-.014-.739-.015-1.108C0 13.79 0 13.113.002 12.436c.003-1.363-.014-2.726.02-4.09.009-.352.023-.704.038-1.056.017-.402.04-.803.09-1.203a8.538 8.538 0 01.366-1.641 6.132 6.132 0 012.07-2.945C3.18 1.031 3.85.709 4.566.477 5.323.232 6.104.121 6.895.079A59.594 59.594 0 018.422.018 41.38 41.38 0 019.535.003C10.182 0 10.83 0 11.477.002zm2.04 2.166l-.94.001c-1.16.003-2.318-.009-3.477.008-.485.008-.971.017-1.457.039-.36.015-.72.027-1.08.063a6.735 6.735 0 00-1.135.203c-.456.128-.895.299-1.288.569a4 4 0 00-1.584 2.13 7.178 7.178 0 00-.31 1.791c-.027.494-.044.988-.06 1.481-.01.365-.014.73-.016 1.096-.003.732-.003 1.465-.001 2.199v2.1l.009 1.05c.008.593.025 1.185.05 1.777.017.36.04.719.089 1.077.059.427.154.846.305 1.251.389 1.04 1.085 1.797 2.094 2.259.667.306 1.379.429 2.105.482.418.03.837.045 1.256.058.42.014.842.02 1.263.026.397.005.794.006 1.19.005h3.057l1.529-.012c.409-.007.817-.018 1.226-.035.437-.02.874-.034 1.309-.089a6.16 6.16 0 001.274-.29c1.12-.399 1.92-1.14 2.386-2.236.296-.696.403-1.431.446-2.178.02-.356.035-.712.046-1.068a76.756 76.756 0 00.03-2.493v-1.409c.002-.94.004-1.879-.01-2.819-.003-.25-.004-.5-.011-.751-.01-.362-.025-.725-.04-1.088-.016-.46-.05-.919-.128-1.374a4.93 4.93 0 00-.457-1.437 3.89 3.89 0 00-2.06-1.884c-.676-.275-1.385-.384-2.107-.424-.491-.028-.983-.044-1.474-.06a44.01 44.01 0 00-1.09-.016c-.626-.003-1.253-.003-1.88-.001zm-1.4 3.668c3.31.058 6.076 2.777 6.048 6.222a6.165 6.165 0 01-6.23 6.106C8.56 18.133 5.83 15.374 5.839 12c-.014-3.398 2.785-6.226 6.279-6.165zm-.04 2.168C9.816 7.963 7.994 9.803 8.007 12c-.01 2.179 1.764 3.978 3.96 3.996a4 4 0 004.03-3.958 4.004 4.004 0 00-3.918-4.034zm6.311-3.852a1.434 1.434 0 011.459 1.399 1.44 1.44 0 01-1.441 1.488 1.44 1.44 0 01-1.444-1.41 1.434 1.434 0 011.426-1.477z" fill="#FFF" fill-rule="evenodd"/></svg>
<span class="screen-reader-text">
Instagram </span>
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://twitter.com/AstronomyMag">
<svg width="21" height="16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M20.333.295a8.3 8.3 0 01-2.606.98A4.123 4.123 0 0014.732 0c-2.265 0-4.103 1.809-4.103 4.039 0 .317.037.625.107.92A11.704 11.704 0 012.277.739a3.974 3.974 0 00-.554 2.032c0 1.4.723 2.637 1.825 3.36a4.156 4.156 0 01-1.859-.504v.052c0 1.956 1.415 3.589 3.292 3.96a4.159 4.159 0 01-1.855.068 4.102 4.102 0 003.833 2.806 8.315 8.315 0 01-5.095 1.728c-.33 0-.658-.02-.979-.056A11.752 11.752 0 007.175 16c7.55 0 11.674-6.154 11.674-11.493 0-.174-.003-.35-.01-.522a8.28 8.28 0 002.046-2.09 8.28 8.28 0 01-2.356.635A4.068 4.068 0 0020.333.295" fill="#FFF" fill-rule="evenodd"/></svg>
<span class="screen-reader-text">
Twitter </span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="menu-footer-navigation-container"><ul id="menu-footer-navigation" class="inline-list"><li id="menu-item-122377" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-122377"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/about-us/">About Us</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-125576" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-125576"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/contact/">Contact Us</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-125574" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-125574"><a href="https://firecrown.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=ASY_New_Premium&pk=ACD62A1">Subscribe</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-125575" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-125575"><a href="https://firecrownmedia.dragonforms.com/FCM_mstr_custserv">Customer Service</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-47836" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-47836"><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/advertise-with-us/">Advertising</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-47837" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-47837"><a href="https://firecrown.com/terms-of-use/">Terms of Use</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-47838" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-47838"><a href="https://firecrown.com/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-167834" class="cky-consent-link menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-167834"><a href="#trigger-cky-consent" data-cky-consent-trigger="true" class="cky-consent-link">Do Not Sell</a></li>
</ul></div> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subfooter">
<div class="default-max-width">
<div class="subfooter-inner">
<p class="copyright-info">
@ 2025 Firecrown Media. All Rights Reserved. </p>
<div class="publisher-info">
<a href="https://firecrown.com/">
More Sites from Firecrown Media </a>
<img src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cropped-Logo-white@2x.png" alt="Publisher logo">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<a class="scroll-to-top js-scroll-top-button" href="#page">
<span class="screen-reader-text">Scroll to</span>
<span>Top</span>
</a>
<div data-kserv-modal="sign-in" class="kserv-modal hidden" aria-hidden="true" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="kserv-sign-in-title">
<div class="kserv-modal__backdrop" data-kserv-modal-close></div>
<div class="kserv-modal__content" role="document">
<button type="button" class="kserv-modal__close" data-kserv-modal-close aria-label="Close sign-in dialog">×</button>
<h2 id="kserv-sign-in-title" class="kserv-modal__title">Sign In</h2>
<p class="kserv-modal__register-row">New User? <a href="/register" class="kserv-modal__register-link">Create an Account</a></p>
<p class="kserv-modal__message">Why Sign In? Subscribers can access their digital magazine issues, and registered users can participate in our Community forums and galleries.</p>
<form class="kserv-modal__form" data-kserv-login-form novalidate>
<div class="kserv-modal__field">
<label for="kserv-login-email">Email</label>
<input type="email" id="kserv-login-email" data-kserv-login-email autocomplete="email" required />
<span class="kserv-modal__field-error" data-kserv-login-email-error hidden>Please enter your email.</span>
</div>
<div class="kserv-modal__field">
<label for="kserv-login-pass">Password</label>
<input type="password" id="kserv-login-pass" data-kserv-login-pass autocomplete="current-password" required />
<span class="kserv-modal__field-error" data-kserv-login-pass-error hidden>Please enter your password.</span>
</div>
<button type="submit" class="kserv-modal__submit" data-kserv-login-submit>Sign In</button>
<div class="kserv-modal__error" data-kserv-login-error hidden></div>
</form>
<p class="kserv-modal__forgot"><a href="https://firecrown.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=kalmbach_ForgotPass" class="kserv-modal__link kserv-modal__link--forgot">Lost your password?</a></p>
<div class="kserv-modal__links"><a href="https://firecrown.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=ASY_custserv" class="kserv-modal__link kserv-modal__link--account">Manage My Account</a><a href="https://firecrown.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=ASY_custserv" class="kserv-modal__link kserv-modal__link--support">Customer Support</a></div>
</div>
</div> </footer><!-- #colophon -->
</div><!-- #page -->
<script type="speculationrules">
{"prefetch":[{"source":"document","where":{"and":[{"href_matches":"/*"},{"not":{"href_matches":["/wp-*.php","/wp-admin/*","/wp-content/uploads/*","/wp-content/*","/wp-content/plugins/*","/wp-content/themes/astronomy/*","/wp-content/themes/seedlet/*","/*\\?(.+)"]}},{"not":{"selector_matches":"a[rel~=\"nofollow\"]"}},{"not":{"selector_matches":".no-prefetch, .no-prefetch a"}}]},"eagerness":"conservative"}]}
</script>
<script>
(function() {
var d = document, h = d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0], s = d.createElement('script'),
sc = 'https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://' : 'http://';
s.type = 'text/javascript';
s.async = true;
s.src = sc + 's.dpmsrv.com/dpm_1784f0e37c1fdd6200c1e8b28e8caae5402e74e0.min.js';
h.appendChild(s);
})();
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
var relevanssi_rt_regex = /(&|\?)_(rt|rt_nonce)=(\w+)/g
var newUrl = window.location.search.replace(relevanssi_rt_regex, '')
history.replaceState(null, null, window.location.pathname + newUrl + window.location.hash)
</script>
<script>
/(trident|msie)/i.test(navigator.userAgent)&&document.getElementById&&window.addEventListener&&window.addEventListener("hashchange",function(){var t,e=location.hash.substring(1);/^[A-z0-9_-]+$/.test(e)&&(t=document.getElementById(e))&&(/^(?:a|select|input|button|textarea)$/i.test(t.tagName)||(t.tabIndex=-1),t.focus())},!1);
</script>
<script id="firecrown_kserv_scripts-js-extra">
var kserv_endpoint = {"base_url":"https://www.astronomy.com","domain_code":"ASY","default_product":"","chartbeat_enabled":"1","olytics_enabled":"1","datalayer":{"enabled":false,"schema_version":1},"oauth_providers":["google","microsoft","facebook","linkedin"],"context_debug":"","recurly_enabled":"","recurly_public_key":"","recurly_coupons_enabled":"","recurly_plans":[],"checkout_trigger_map":[],"checkout_default_on_success":"stay","checkout_overlay_redirect_url":"","checkout_overlay_display":"modal"};
var kserv = {"user":{"fullName":"","firstName":null,"lastName":null,"email":null,"birthdate":null,"encryptedCustomerId":null,"entitlements":[],"newsletters":[],"permission":{"isAuthenticated":false,"hasAccess":true,"viewsRemaining":3,"isEntitled":false,"isEntitledIndirectly":false,"meterHasReduced":false,"previouslyMetered":false,"exceedsLimit":false}},"page":{"id":176448,"type":"post","entitlements":["free"]}};
//# sourceURL=firecrown_kserv_scripts-js-extra
</script>
<script id="nexus-analytics-tracker-js-extra">
var nexusAnalytics = {"apiEndpoint":"https://nexus.firecrown.com","siteId":"astronomy","apiKey":"d333b65bfc002afca7c56e913810d2a9","customProperties":[],"authorId":"1750","category":"robotic-spaceflight","authorName":"Brooks Mendenhall","authorSlug":"brooks-mendenhall","authorEmail":"brooks.mendenhall@firecrown.com","isSponsored":""};
//# sourceURL=nexus-analytics-tracker-js-extra
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.astronomy.com/_static/??-eJyFjsEOgkAMRH/ItZoYhIPxW5alYmHpbtoi8vcK6k3jeebNPJiyC4kN2SDHsSVW8GqSOA3zMxGEhtQgUg2dQhupwe1AvO10A1/YS3CWsqs9MwpoEMqmP8skGCRN7HpFub2e/jCM91GdZx9no7DIKpoubiY+9CgfkDjEscE1WoevKfX6dj8Pp/2xrIryUFS77gGzFmFN" ></script><script id="wp-i18n-js" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-includes/js/dist/i18n.min.js?ver=1dfe7db3940c23ea9216"></script>
<script id="wp-i18n-js-after">
wp.i18n.setLocaleData( { 'text direction\u0004ltr': [ 'ltr' ] } );
//# sourceURL=wp-i18n-js-after
</script>
<script id="wp-parsely-loader-js-before">
window.wpParselySiteId = 'astronomy.com';
//# sourceURL=wp-parsely-loader-js-before
</script>
<script id="wp-parsely-loader-js" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wp-parsely-3.24/build/loader.js?ver=ecf94842061bea03d54b"></script>
<script id="parsely-cfg" data-parsely-site="astronomy.com" src="https://cdn.parsely.com/keys/astronomy.com/p.js?ver=3.24.1"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.astronomy.com/_static/??/wp-content/themes/astronomy/dist/frontend.js,/wp-content/themes/seedlet/assets/js/primary-navigation.js?m=1778596081j" ></script><script id="gforms_recaptcha_recaptcha-js-extra">
var gforms_recaptcha_recaptcha_strings = {"nonce":"03b888978d","disconnect":"Disconnecting","change_connection_type":"Resetting","spinner":"https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg","connection_type":"enterprise","disable_badge":"","change_connection_type_title":"Change Connection Type","change_connection_type_message":"Changing the connection type will delete your current settings. Do you want to proceed?","disconnect_title":"Disconnect","disconnect_message":"Disconnecting from reCAPTCHA will delete your current settings. Do you want to proceed?","site_key":"6LeIlgMsAAAAAHTaCqVAhtmPw-8YeLe4_xfJA8Ll","key_type":"","ajaxurl":"https://www.astronomy.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php"};
//# sourceURL=gforms_recaptcha_recaptcha-js-extra
</script>
<script data-wp-strategy="defer" defer id="gforms_recaptcha_recaptcha-js" src="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/enterprise.js?render=6LeIlgMsAAAAAHTaCqVAhtmPw-8YeLe4_xfJA8Ll&ver=2.2.1"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/plugins/gravityformsrecaptcha/js/frontend.min.js?m=1778596080g" ></script><script id="jetpack-stats-js-before">
_stq = window._stq || [];
_stq.push([ "view", {"v":"ext","blog":"254136531","post":"176448","tz":"-5","srv":"www.astronomy.com","hp":"vip","j":"1:16.2"} ]);
_stq.push([ "clickTrackerInit", "254136531", "176448" ]);
//# sourceURL=jetpack-stats-js-before
</script>
<script data-wp-strategy="defer" defer fetchpriority="low" id="jetpack-stats-js" src="https://stats.wp.com/e-202638.js"></script>
<script id="wp-emoji-settings" type="application/json">
{"baseUrl":"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/svg/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https://www.astronomy.com/wp-includes/js/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=7.1.1"}}
</script>
<script type="module">
/*! This file is auto-generated */
var e="script#wp-emoji-settings",t=document.querySelector(e);if(!(t instanceof HTMLScriptElement))throw new Error("Element missing: "+e);const r=JSON.parse(t.text),s=(window._wpemojiSettings=r,"wpEmojiSettingsSupports"),o=["flag","emoji"];function i(e){try{var t={supportTests:e,timestamp:(new Date).valueOf()};sessionStorage.setItem(s,JSON.stringify(t))}catch(e){}}function c(e,t,n){e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(t,0,0);t=new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data);e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(n,0,0);const r=new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data);return t.every((e,t)=>e===r[t])}function p(e,t){e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(t,0,0);var n=e.getImageData(16,16,1,1);for(let e=0;e<n.data.length;e++)if(0!==n.data[e])return!1;return!0}function u(e,t,n,r){switch(t){case"flag":return n(e,"\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f","\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200b\u26a7\ufe0f")?!1:!n(e,"\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf6","\ud83c\udde8\u200b\ud83c\uddf6")&&!n(e,"\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f","\ud83c\udff4\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc62\u200b\udb40\udc65\u200b\udb40\udc6e\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc7f");case"emoji":return!r(e,"\ud83e\u1fac8")}return!1}function f(e,t,n,r){let a;const s=(a="undefined"!=typeof WorkerGlobalScope&&self instanceof WorkerGlobalScope?new OffscreenCanvas(300,150):document.createElement("canvas")).getContext("2d",{willReadFrequently:!0}),o=(s.textBaseline="top",s.font="600 32px Arial",{});return e.forEach(e=>{o[e]=t(s,e,n,r)}),o}function a(e){var t=document.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=!0,document.head.appendChild(t)}r.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},new Promise(t=>{let n=function(){try{var e=JSON.parse(sessionStorage.getItem(s));if("object"==typeof e&&"number"==typeof e.timestamp&&(new Date).valueOf()<e.timestamp+604800&&"object"==typeof e.supportTests)return e.supportTests}catch(e){}return null}();if(!n){if("undefined"!=typeof Worker&&"undefined"!=typeof OffscreenCanvas&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&URL.createObjectURL&&"undefined"!=typeof Blob)try{var e="postMessage("+f.toString()+"("+[JSON.stringify(o),u.toString(),c.toString(),p.toString()].join(",")+"));",r=new Blob([e],{type:"text/javascript"});const a=new Worker(URL.createObjectURL(r),{name:"wpTestEmojiSupports"});return void(a.onmessage=e=>{i(n=e.data),a.terminate(),t(n)})}catch(e){}i(n=f(o,u,c,p))}t(n)}).then(e=>{for(const n in e)r.supports[n]=e[n],r.supports.everything=r.supports.everything&&r.supports[n],"flag"!==n&&(r.supports.everythingExceptFlag=r.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&r.supports[n]);var t;r.supports.everythingExceptFlag=r.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&!r.supports.flag,r.supports.everything||((t=r.source||{}).concatemoji?a(t.concatemoji):t.wpemoji&&t.twemoji&&(a(t.twemoji),a(t.wpemoji)))});
//# sourceURL=https://www.astronomy.com/wp-includes/js/wp-emoji-loader.min.js
</script>
<script id="astro-gforms-recaptcha-shim">
(function () {
var POLL_MS = 100;
var TIMEOUT_MS = 15000;
var startedAt = Date.now();
function ready() {
return typeof window.grecaptcha !== 'undefined'
&& window.grecaptcha.enterprise
&& typeof window.grecaptcha.enterprise.execute === 'function'
&& typeof window.grecaptcha.enterprise.ready === 'function'
&& window.gform && window.gform.utils
&& typeof window.gform.utils.addAsyncFilter === 'function'
&& window.gforms_recaptcha_recaptcha_strings
&& window.gforms_recaptcha_recaptcha_strings.site_key;
}
function register() {
if (window.gform.utils.__astroRecaptchaShimRegistered) { return; }
window.gform.utils.__astroRecaptchaShimRegistered = true;
var strings = window.gforms_recaptcha_recaptcha_strings;
var siteKey = strings.site_key;
var connectionType = strings.connection_type;
window.gform.utils.addAsyncFilter('gform/submission/pre_submission', function (ctx) {
return new Promise(function (resolve) {
var submissionTypes = (window.gform && window.gform.submission) || {};
var typeSubmit = submissionTypes.SUBMISSION_TYPE_SUBMIT;
var typeNext = submissionTypes.SUBMISSION_TYPE_NEXT;
var validType = (ctx.submissionType === typeSubmit) || (ctx.submissionType === typeNext);
if (!validType || ctx.abort) { return resolve(ctx); }
var form = ctx.form;
if (!form) { return resolve(ctx); }
var field = form.querySelector('.gfield_recaptcha_response');
if (!field) { return resolve(ctx); }
if (field.value) { return resolve(ctx); }
try {
window.grecaptcha.enterprise.ready(function () {
var action = (connectionType === 'enterprise') ? 'submit' : 'submit';
window.grecaptcha.enterprise.execute(siteKey, { action: action })
.then(function (token) { field.value = token; resolve(ctx); })
.catch(function (err) {
window.console && console.error('[astro-recaptcha-shim] execute failed', err);
resolve(ctx);
});
});
} catch (e) {
window.console && console.error('[astro-recaptcha-shim] grecaptcha call threw', e);
resolve(ctx);
}
});
});
}
var iv = setInterval(function () {
if (Date.now() - startedAt > TIMEOUT_MS) { clearInterval(iv); return; }
if (ready()) { clearInterval(iv); register(); }
}, POLL_MS);
})();
</script>
<script data-kserv-fallback="1">(function(){function k(){if(window.firecrownKservScriptsBooted){return;}var s=document.createElement("script");s.src="https:\/\/www.astronomy.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/firecrown-kserv\/dist\/scripts.js?ver=ef6e54be47772913fccd";s.defer=true;s.setAttribute("data-kserv-fallback-injected","1");document.head.appendChild(s);}if(document.readyState==="complete"){k();}else{window.addEventListener("load",k);}})();</script>
</body>
</html>