Asian Games: Torch-lighting ceremony

Asian Games: Torch-lighting ceremony

Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui lights the torch for the Asian Games at the "flame of peace" at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Aug. 20, 2026, ahead of the Sept. 19-Oct. 4 games that will mainly be held in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan.

Asian Games: Torch-lighting ceremony

Asian Games: Torch-lighting ceremony

Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui lights the torch for the Asian Games at the "flame of peace" at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Aug. 20, 2026, ahead of the Sept. 19-Oct. 4 games that will mainly be held in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan.

[Breaking News]Asian Games torch-lighting ceremony

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 18 Kyodo - Japanese sprinter Yoshihide Kiryu lights the torch for the Asian Games at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on Aug. 18, 2026. The torch relay is set to begin at Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Aug. 22 for the Sept. 19-Oct. 4 games being held mainly in the central Japan prefecture. (Kyodo)

Asian Games torch-lighting ceremony

Asian Games torch-lighting ceremony

Japanese sprinter Yoshihide Kiryu (back) lights the torch for the Asian Games at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on Aug. 18, 2026. The torch relay is set to begin at Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Aug. 22 for the Sept. 19-Oct. 4 games being held mainly in the central Japan prefecture.

Asian Games torch-lighting ceremony

Asian Games torch-lighting ceremony

Japanese sprinter Yoshihide Kiryu (back) lights the torch for the Asian Games at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on Aug. 18, 2026. The torch relay is set to begin at Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Aug. 22 for the Sept. 19-Oct. 4 games being held mainly in the central Japan prefecture.

Asian Games torch-lighting ceremony

Asian Games torch-lighting ceremony

Japanese sprinter Yoshihide Kiryu lights the torch for the Asian Games at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on Aug. 18, 2026. The torch relay is set to begin at Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Aug. 22 for the Sept. 19-Oct. 4 games being held mainly in the central Japan prefecture.

US: Meteor Fireball Lights Up Pacific Northwest Sky 2

A massive fireball streaked across the sky over the Pacific Northwest just after midnight on Friday, dazzling witnesses in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and British Columbia, Canada.

US: Meteor Fireball Lights Up Pacific Northwest Sky

A massive fireball streaked across the sky over the Pacific Northwest just after midnight on Friday, dazzling witnesses in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and British Columbia, Canada.

Japan: Record Rain Submerges Vehicles as Fatalities Reported in Chiba

Six people have been confirmed dead in Chiba Prefecture after record rainfall hit the greater Tokyo area through early Friday, August 14. Nearly 7,000 people were stranded overnight at Narita Airport as trains and buses were suspended, while about 23,000 homes remained without power across the area. This video shows the hazard lights of several nearly fully submerged cars flashing.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 5

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 4

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 3

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 2

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Venezuela: Candilazo Phenomenon Turns Sky Red Days After Twin Quakes

Days after powerful twin earthquakes battered the country, residents of Venezuela witnessed the sky turn a deep crimson red at sunset on Tuesday, June 30, with videos of the phenomenon spreading rapidly on social media and fueling speculation of a link to the recent seismic activity. Atmospheric scientists said the display, known locally as a candilazo, was a well-understood optical phenomenon caused by sunlight interacting with airborne particles, rather than evidence of "earthquake lights" or other seismic-related causes.

Venezuela: Skies Over Caracas Turn Red at Sunset Days After Deadly Earthquakes 2

Days after powerful earthquakes devastated parts of Venezuela, residents of Caracas witnessed the sky turn a deep crimson red at sunset on Tuesday, June 30, with videos of the phenomenon spreading rapidly on social media and fueling speculation of a link to the recent seismic activity. Atmospheric scientists said the display, known locally as a candilazo, was a well-understood optical phenomenon caused by sunlight interacting with airborne particles, rather than evidence of "earthquake lights" or other seismic-related causes.

Venezuela: Skies Over Caracas Turn Red at Sunset Days After Deadly Earthquakes

Days after powerful earthquakes devastated parts of Venezuela, residents of Caracas witnessed the sky turn a deep crimson red at sunset on Tuesday, June 30, with videos of the phenomenon spreading rapidly on social media and fueling speculation of a link to the recent seismic activity. Atmospheric scientists said the display, known locally as a candilazo, was a well-understood optical phenomenon caused by sunlight interacting with airborne particles, rather than evidence of "earthquake lights" or other seismic-related causes.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan+

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan+

Photo taken at JR Morioka Station in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture shows the interior of a Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train car after the lights went out following an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 that struck northeastern Japan on June 25, 2026.

US: Dazzling Green Meteor Lights Up Mid-South Night Sky

A bright fireball meteor lit up the night sky Sunday, June 14, across the Mid-South, generating hundreds of reports from skywatchers across the region.

China: Towering Wall of Dust Engulfs Highway as Driver Passes Through Sandstorm in Qinghai

Filmed in Haixi, Qinghai, on September 19, 2025, this video shows a driver entering a massive sandstorm on a remote desert highway. A towering wall of dust engulfs the road, reducing visibility to near zero and turning the surroundings orange as vehicles proceed slowly with their lights on. After several minutes inside the storm, the driver emerges beneath clear blue skies, capturing the dramatic contrast between the sandstorm and the calm conditions beyond.

US: Fireball Lights Up Western New York Sky, Producing Loud Sonic Boom

A bright fireball streaked across the sky over Western New York and Southern Ontario early Wednesday, May 27, producing a loud sonic boom that shook homes across the region. Scientists confirmed the phenomenon was a bolide, an exceptionally bright meteor that exploded as it burned up entering Earth's atmosphere.

US: Double Rainbow Lights Up the Sky Over Abita Springs, Louisiana

A beautiful double rainbow was spotted over Abita Springs, Louisiana on Friday, May 22.

Japan: Noctiluca Lights Up Aichi Coastline in Glowing Blue After Red Tide

A rare red tide was confirmed off the coast of Aichi Prefecture on Friday, May 22, caused by a bloom of bioluminescent plankton known as Noctiluca, or sea sparkle. While the red tide turned the sea surface crimson during the day, the same plankton lit up the shoreline in glowing blue at night.

US: Stunning Rainbow Lights Up Sky Over McKinney, Texas

A stunning rainbow lit up the sky over McKinney, Texas, on Friday evening, May 15.

China: Glowing White Object Spotted Moving Across Sky in Hangzhou

On May 10, 2026, in Hangzhou, eastern China, a video captured a mysterious white glowing object moving across the sky. The object appeared similar to a UFO, with a bright ring-like glow that seemed to expand and shrink as it traveled overhead.

China: Mysterious Glowing Objects Flash Across Night Sky Over Jinan

On May 7, 2026, in Pingyin County, Jinan, a video captured bright unidentified objects flashing across the dark sky above the city. The glowing light appeared to move rapidly while emitting a strong white and bluish glow, instantly attracting the attention of people on the ground. The footage showcased the object hovering or streaking through the night sky as nearby residents watched in surprise.

US: Giant Green Fireball Lights Up Night Sky in Billings, Montana

A giant green fireball lit up the skies across five western states on Wednesday, April 8, before exploding over northeastern Wyoming. The American Meteor Society received over 30 eyewitness accounts from Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Japan: Sea Sparkle Lights Up Ocean Surface in Blue, Signaling the Arrival of Spring 2

Noctiluca scintillans, known as sea sparkle, a type of bioluminescent plankton, lit up the ocean surface with a vivid blue glow, signaling the arrival of spring. This video was filmed on Monday, March 30 in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture.

Japan: Sea Sparkle Lights Up Ocean Surface in Blue, Signaling the Arrival of Spring

Noctiluca scintillans, known as sea sparkle, a type of bioluminescent plankton, lit up the ocean surface with a vivid blue glow, signaling the arrival of spring. This video was filmed on Sunday, April 5 at Suma Beach in Kobe.

China: Cat Chases Fish Shadows Cast From Glowing Aquarium

On March 21, 2026, in Yuxi, located in southwestern China’s Yunnan province, a video recorded a dim indoor scene after the room lights had been turned off. Only a soft yellow lamp above the aquarium remained on. Under the light, fish swimming inside the tank cast moving shadows onto the floor. A white cat noticed the shapes and appeared to mistake them for real fish. The cat repeatedly pounced toward the floor, chasing the shifting shadows as they glided across the room. Each time the shadow moved, the cat followed quickly and tried again. The image of the yellow-lit tank, the moving fish shadows, and the white cat’s repeated leaps created a quiet but striking scene.

Qatar: Thunderstorm Lights Up Night Sky Over Doha 2

Stunning lightning illuminated the night sky over Doha, Qatar, on the evening of March 25, 2026, as a thunderstorm rolls through the region.

Qatar: Thunderstorm Lights Up Night Sky Over Doha

Stunning lightning illuminated the night sky over Doha, Qatar, on the evening of March 25, 2026, as a thunderstorm rolls through the region.

US: Spectacular Sunset Lights Up Santa Cruz Coast, CA

A spectacular sunset was reported across Santa Cruz, California, on Saturday, March 7, 2026. According to a social media post, vivid colors illuminated the sky for over 30 minutes, with observers calling it one of the area's finest displays in years. The intense hues were visible from iconic coastal spots, including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Seabright Beach.

February’s Snow Moon Lights Up the Sky 4

The February 2026 Snow Moon reached peak illumination on Sunday, February 1. Known as the Snow Moon due to heavy winter snowfall, it appeared nearly full for several nights, making it visible to skywatchers even after the exact peak passed.

February’s Snow Moon Lights Up the Sky

The February 2026 Snow Moon reached peak illumination on Sunday, February 1. Known as the Snow Moon due to heavy winter snowfall, it appeared nearly full for several nights, making it visible to skywatchers even after the exact peak passed.

February’s Snow Moon Lights Up the Sky 3

The February 2026 Snow Moon reached peak illumination on Sunday, February 1. Known as the Snow Moon due to heavy winter snowfall, it appeared nearly full for several nights, making it visible to skywatchers even after the exact peak passed.

February’s Snow Moon Lights Up the Sky 2

The February 2026 Snow Moon reached peak illumination on Sunday, February 1. Known as the Snow Moon due to heavy winter snowfall, it appeared nearly full for several nights, making it visible to skywatchers even after the exact peak passed.

China: Auroras Glow Over Heilongjiang After Geomagnetic Storm

Residents in Mohe, Heilongjiang, China, witnessed rare red and green auroras lighting up the night sky after a geomagnetic storm on January 20, 2026.

US: Thundersnow Lights Up Sky in Salem, Ohio

Rare thundersnow was captured in Salem, Ohio on Wednesday, January 21.

RECAP: Strongest Solar Storm in Over 20 Years Triggers Widespread Auroras

A powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by one of the strongest solar eruptions in more than 20 years lit up skies across large parts of Europe and North America on Monday, January 19 and Tuesday, January 20. The rare event allowed the northern lights to be seen far south of their usual range, including in parts of the United States, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, according to NOAA.

Rare Solar Storm Triggers Northern Lights Across Europe and North America 7

A powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by one of the strongest solar eruptions in more than 20 years lit up skies across large parts of Europe and North America on Monday night, January 19. The rare event allowed the northern lights to be seen far south of their usual range, including in parts of the United States, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, according to NOAA.

Rare Solar Storm Triggers Northern Lights Across Europe and North America 6

A powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by one of the strongest solar eruptions in more than 20 years lit up skies across large parts of Europe and North America on Monday night, January 19. The rare event allowed the northern lights to be seen far south of their usual range, including in parts of the United States, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, according to NOAA.

Rare Solar Storm Triggers Northern Lights Across Europe and North America 5

A powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by one of the strongest solar eruptions in more than 20 years lit up skies across large parts of Europe and North America on Monday night, January 19. The rare event allowed the northern lights to be seen far south of their usual range, including in parts of the United States, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, according to NOAA.