Anthony Wood

Anthony Wood

Skywatching Writer

Anthony Wood joined Space.com in April 2025 after contributing articles to outlets including IGN, New Atlas and Gizmodo. He has a passion for the night sky, science, Hideo Kojima, and human space exploration, and can’t wait for the day when astronauts once again set foot on the moon.

Latest articles by Anthony Wood

An illustration of an asteroid passing close to Earth.

Watch an asteroid the size of an airliner speed toward Earth live online Sept. 2 (video)

By Anthony Wood last updated

On Wednesday (Sept. 3), the asteroid 2025 QDB will come to within just over half the distance between Earth and the moon, and you can watch its progress live online.

Stargazing

Mercury makes an elusive appearance with the bright star Regulus on Sept. 2

By Anthony Wood published

Mercury will be close to Regulus embedded among the stars of the constellation Leo.

Stargazing
A graphic showing the positions of planets in the predawn sky on Sept. 1. Mercury is visible close to the horizon, with Venus positioned diagonally to its right among the stars of the constellation Cancer, with Jupiter in a line beyond.

Don't miss Venus line up with Jupiter and Mercury before sunrise on Sept. 1

By Anthony Wood published

Jupiter, Venus and Mercury move into line formation predawn on Sept. 1

Stargazing
A meteor is pictured streaking the a starry night sky above a silhouetted horizon. The bright band of the Milky Way can be seen tumbling vertically through the centre of the image towards the horizon.

Try to spot a rare Aurigid meteor as the shower peaks overnight on Aug. 31

By Anthony Wood published

The Aurigid meteor shower hails from debris of the comet C/1911 N1 Kiess, which last visited the inner solar system 2,000 years ago.

Stargazing
An orange-red full moon is pictured against a black night sky. The upper left of the lunar disk is relatively bright. Vast basaltic plains known as lunar maria can be seen dominating the left half of the moon's surface.

One week until the blood moon total lunar eclipse lights up September's sky

By Anthony Wood published

A total lunar eclipse will take place on Sept. 7-8, creating a spectacular blood moon effect.

Lunar Eclipses
A picture of the moon against a black sky with its right side lit by direct sunlight and its left side bathed in shadow. Dark basaltic plains are visible marking the lunar surface, while numerous large craters can be seen sling the line separating night from day.

See the half-lit first quarter moon shine in the grasp of a celestial scorpion tonight

By Anthony Wood published

The moon will appear in the constellation Scorpius at sunset on Aug. 30-31.

Stargazing
An image of a half-lit moon against a dark blue sky, with its right half lit by direct sunlight and its left shrouded in shadow. Dark plains called lunar maria can be seen covering swathes of the lit side and a large cloud dominates the right side of the image.

Don't miss the moon ride close to red supergiant star Antares on Aug. 30

By Anthony Wood published

The half-lit moon will appear close to Antares in the constellation Scorpius later this week.

Stargazing
A trio of bright stars can be seen forming a triangle in the night sky framed by the dark silhouettes of trees. The glowing band of the Milky Way can be seen passing through the formation, as can countless dimmer stars.

Don't miss the stars of the 'Summer Triangle' twinkle with the Milky Way after sunset

By Anthony Wood published

Altair, Vega and Deneb can be seen shining with the Milky Way throughout August.

Stargazing

Don't miss the crescent moon meet up with blue star Spica tonight

By Anthony Wood last updated

Stargazers will need a clear view of the western horizon to spot the moon near Spica as the sun sets on Aug. 27.

Stargazing

Don't miss Mars close to the slender crescent moon at sunset tonight

By Anthony Wood last updated

The crescent moon will be positioned close to Mars soon after sunset on Aug. 26

Stargazing

Black Moon darkens August skies — here's how to hunt sparking wonders in the Milky Way this weekend

By Anthony Wood published

The Double Cluster, Wild Duck open Cluster, and Coathanger asterism are on display in August.

Stargazing
An image showing the country of Japan as seen from orbit at night, with the Korean peninsula visible to the left. The land masses are silhouetted by city lights.

Watch a bright fireball explode above Japan, turning night to day (video)

By Anthony Wood published

A fireball exploded into life in the skies above Japan on Aug. 19, briefly turning night to day before fragmenting close to the horizon.

Meteors & Meteor Showers
The Milky Way galaxy glows over the rock structure of Stonehenge.

The Milky Way brightens the moonless summer sky this week: Here's where to look

By Anthony Wood last updated

Our galaxy will make for a particularly splendid sight on the dark nights surrounding the new moon phase on Aug. 23.

Stargazing

See a razor-thin crescent moon join Jupiter and Venus in the predawn sky on Aug. 20

By Anthony Wood published

See the waning crescent moon rendezvous with Jupiter and Venus in the eastern sky on Aug. 20.

Stargazing
A picture of a grey, rocky, cratered planet against a black background. The left extreme of the world is bathed in shadow and white spots are visible on the surface where bright material has been thrown out by recent asteroid impacts.

Look for Mercury in the morning sky as it hits peak distance from the sun on Aug. 19

By Anthony Wood published

Mercury is farthest from the sun in Earth's morning sky on Aug. 19.

Stargazing
A mass of gold and blue stars are pictured shining against the blackness of space.

See a trio of spectacular star clusters brighten the summer sky in August 2025

By Anthony Wood published

The Hyades, Pleiades and Hercules star clusters make for excellent targets in the late summer months.

Stargazing
A simulation of the gas giant Saturn fully illuminated by direct sunlight. The planet's sweeping rings are positioned almost edge on to the observer, and a dark circular shadow is visible on the banded cloud surface above the ring line.

Titan darkens Saturn in rare shadow transit on Aug. 19: Here's how to see it

By Anthony Wood published

The second largest moon in the solar system will cast its shadow over Saturn on Aug. 19.

Stargazing

Don't miss the moon rendezvous with the Pleiades in the early morning sky Aug. 16–17

By Anthony Wood published

The moon will drift towards the Pleiades and Uranus in the early hours of Aug. 16-17.

Stargazing

Perseid meteor shower 2025 outshines moon to put on a spectacular show (photos)

By Anthony Wood published

The Perseid meteor shower 2025 peaked Aug. 12-13, delighting skywatchers worldwide.

Meteors & Meteor Showers
A man wearing glasses is pictured holding a small stony meteorite between his thumb and pointer finger.

Meteorite that punched a hole through Georgia roof may be older than Earth itself

By Anthony Wood published

"This particular meteor that entered the atmosphere has a long history before it made it to the ground of McDonough".

Meteors & Meteor Showers
Two meteors are pictured racing through a starry night sky parallel to the Milky Way. Light pollution is visible above a silhouetted horizon and trees.

Don't miss Perseid meteor shower 2025 peak Aug. 12-13: Here's what you need to know

By Anthony Wood published

The Perseid meteor shower takes place each year as Earth travels through the debris shed by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.

Meteors & Meteor Showers

August full moon 2025 captivates skywatchers worldwide as Sturgeon Moon lights up the sky (photos)

By Anthony Wood published

The 2025 full 'Sturgeon Moon' graced the night sky on Aug. 9.

Stargazing
The positions of Jupiter and its four largest moons are shown for the night of August 8. Europa is closest to the gas giant, followed by Io, Ganymede and Callisto.

Jupiter and its largest moons will line up in the sky on Aug. 8. Here's how to see the 'parade.'

By Anthony Wood published

Jupiter's four Galilean moons will line up in front of Jupiter in the early morning sky on Aug. 8.

Stargazing
A full moon is pictured rising against a black sky, with the silhouettes of trees visible blocking its lower disk. Dark patches known as lunar seas can be seen covering swathes of the moon's surface.

August full moon 2025 rises this weekend: Here's how to see the stunning 'Sturgeon Moon'

By Anthony Wood published

August's full Sturgeon Moon rises this weekend, days before the Perseid meteor shower hits its peak.

Stargazing
A bright meteor is pictured streaking across a starry night sky over a rocky landscape, as clouds lie low on the horizon.

The Perseid meteor shower 2025 peaks Aug. 12-13: Here's what to expect from the dazzling cosmic light show

By Anthony Wood published

The Perseids are one of the most visually spectacular meteor showers of the year and are known for spawning impressive fireballs that light up the night sky.

Meteors & Meteor Showers
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