Skywatching

Featured Article: This Month's Night Sky

All

References

Articles

Image Albums

Videos

Night Sky: Visible Planets, Moon Phases & Events, October 2013

night sky watching

September 30th, 2013

This month's night sky is full of cosmic wonders, including the equinox and planets galore. Find out what's up in your night sky and how to see it in this SPACE.com stargazing guide.

Could Comet ISON Still Become the 'Comet of the Century?

Hubble Photo of Comet ISON, Stars and Galaxies

September 30th, 2013

The future of a possible "comet of the century" is still uncertain. With just two months to go before Comet ISON skims less than three-quarters of a million miles above the sun's surface, the comet could brighten or fade away.

Sun Wakes Up - Spits a Powerful Prominence | Video

Sun Wakes Up - Spits a Powerful Prominence | Video

September 30th, 2013

On September 29th, 2013, the Earth's Sun roused itself from the unusual slumber of recent weeks with a massive filament eruption that was partially Earth-directed. NASA's SDO and SOHO spacecraft captured image data of the fireworks.

Meteor Sparks Incredible Fireball Over US Midwest (Video)

A meteoroid traveling at about 114,000 mph, slammed into Earth's atmosphere almost directly over Columbus, Ohio. It was visible from 14 U.S. States. Image captured Sept. 27, 2013.

September 30th, 2013

A brilliant fireball lit up the skies over the Midwest United States, treating bystanders on the ground to an amazing light show last Friday (Sept. 27).

Amazing Space Photos: Royal Observatory's Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2013

Deep Space: Rho Ophiuchi and Antares Nebulae

September 30th, 2013

See winning entries of the Royal Observatory Greenwich's Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2013 features the transit of Venus, comets, nebulas, auroras and more sent from astrophotographers around the world.

Large Fireball Seen Streaking Over Ohio | Video

Large Fireball Seen Streaking Over Ohio | Video

September 28th, 2013

A meteoroid traveling at ~114,000 mph, slammed into Earth's atmosphere almost directly over Columbus, Ohio. It was visible from 14 U.S. States. NASA's all-sky camera in Hiram, Ohio captured the fireworks at 11:33pm EDT on Sept. 27th, 2013. (looped)

Milky Way Galaxy Meets Photographer In Dazzling Space Photo

Astrophotographer Under Milky Way Over Bold Coast Maine

September 27th, 2013

Astrophotographer Mike Taylor sent SPACE.com this stunning image showing the bright band of the Milky Way galaxy over Maine's rugged Bold Coast. The photo captures the Milky Way's brilliance colleague Garrett Evans sets up his gear.

Jaw-Dropping Milky Way Galaxy View Wins Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Earth And Space: Guiding Light to the Stars

September 30th, 2013

An Australian space photographer has won top spot in a global space photography competition, with a spectacular "star-riddled" photo of the Milky Way galaxy, a jaw-dropping image beat out more than 1,200 other entrants in the Royal Observatory's Astronomy

Amateur Astronomer Captures Amazing Photo of Iconic 'Pillars Of Creation'

Pillars Of Creation and Eagle Nebula by Terry Hancock

September 30th, 2013

Astrophotgrapher Terry Hancock sent SPACE.com his new view of the iconic "Pillars of Creation" structure, which is located in the Eagle Nebula. It is the same region immortalized by dazzling images from the Hubble Space Telescope.

How to See Planet Uranus In the Night Sky

Uranus in 2005

September 28th, 2013

Here is a trivia question: Not including Earth, how many planets are visible without using any optical aid, be it binoculars or a telescope? Most people will usually answer five: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. But there's a sixth, Uranus.