2 July 2026
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Latest News
  • [ 10 June 2026 ] Caught in the act: the wind that could kill a galaxy News
  • [ 4 June 2026 ] Europe’s Mars rover may land in the remains of a vast ancient water system News
  • [ 14 April 2026 ] Moon dust preserves record of life’s building blocks News
  • [ 11 April 2026 ] Dark matter may come in multiple forms, new model suggests News
  • [ 2 April 2026 ] Witness to history: Artemis II, lunar exploration and hope News
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Live coverage: Europe’s Mars mission launches

14 March 2016 Stephen Clark

Live coverage of the countdown and launch of a Proton rocket with Europe’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and the Schiaparelli entry, descent and landing demonstrator module to Mars. Text updates will appear automatically below; there is no need to reload the page. Follow us on Twitter.

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Related Articles

Observing

See the Moon get close to Saturn and Mars in the early morning sky

4 May 2018 Ade Ashford

Although Jupiter close to opposition may be stealing the other naked-eye planets’ thunder, there’s lots more to see if you’re an early riser on the weekend of 5–6 May. About an hour before sunrise finds Mars and Saturn less than the span of an outstretched hand at arm’s length apart in the UK southern sky, with the waning gibbous Moon acting as a convenient guide to each planet on successive mornings.

News

In major milestone, James Webb Space Telescope testing complete

30 August 2021 Astronomy Now

Engineers have completed testing of the James Webb Space Telescope and are preparing the observatory for shipment to Kourou, French Guiana, for launch.

Observing

See the Moon meet Saturn and Mars in the evening sky

8 September 2016 Ade Ashford

A hundred days have passed since Mars was closest to Earth this year, but the Red Planet can still be seen in the early evening sky close to the jewel of the solar system, Saturn. If you wish to identify this pair of planets, then a convenient celestial marker in the form of the waxing crescent Moon passes by on the evenings of 8—9 September in the UK and Western Europe.

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News Headlines

  • Caught in the act: the wind that could kill a galaxy
    10 June 2026
  • Europe’s Mars rover may land in the remains of a vast ancient water system
    4 June 2026
  • Moon dust preserves record of life’s building blocks
    14 April 2026
  • Dark matter may come in multiple forms, new model suggests
    11 April 2026
  • Witness to history: Artemis II, lunar exploration and hope
    2 April 2026

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