Skywatching

Learn about skywatching, astronomy, star gazing, and comets in the night sky at space.com. View astrophotography and images of celestial bodies.

Latest

The planet Saturn seen through a telescope

Saturn is at opposition. See it shine at its best for 2022 in a free webcast tonight.

By Tariq Malik published

The ringed planet Saturn is often hailed as the jewel of the solar system and you have a chance to see why in a free webcast tonight.

There's a lot going in space this year. Check out our up-to-date space launch schedule and calendar here!

Space calendar 2022: Rocket launches, sky events, missions & more!

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

Reference Here's a guide to all the rocket launches and astronomical events in 2022, as well as milestones for space missions, anniversaries and conferences.

Reference
Someone hoding a camera pointing towards a sunlit forest

Should you buy a DSLR camera?

By Kimberley Lane published

With mirrorless cameras rapidly gaining popularity, is it still worth investing in a DSLR camera?

Perseid meteors streak over a striking landscape in China with a person holding a flashlight

Perseid meteor shower of 2022 thrills stargazers despite bright moon (photos)

By Tariq Malik published

Stargazers around the world captured some dazzling views of the Perseid meteor shower as it peaked overnight Friday and Saturday (Aug. 12-13)

Camera in box with styrofoam packing

Best time to buy a camera: shop smart and save

By Kimberley Lane published

Are you thinking of buying a camera? Here are some tips and tricks to help you save money on your next purchase.

software map of mars in august 14, 2022 sky

Mars enters the evening sky tonight, here's how to find the Red Planet

By Elizabeth Howell published

Look for Mars low on the eastern horizon Saturday (Aug. 13) as the Red Planet comes into the evening sky, shining with Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus.

jupiter with the shadow of a moon on its atmosphere

Moon and Jupiter get together late Sunday night

By Joe Rao published

Check out the king of the planets meeting up with the moon on Aug. 14, throughout most of the night.

moon rising behind building

Sturgeon supermoon of 2022 stuns viewers around the world (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

The last of four supermoons in a row rose Aug. 11, 2022 and generated gorgeous pictures.

A Perseid meteor viewed from roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) outside of Las Vegas in 2021.

Perseid meteor shower peaking now, but bright moon will get in the way

By Samantha Mathewson published

The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak overnight on Aug. 12 and 13, unfortunately coinciding with this month’s full Sturgeon Moon.

Geminid meteor shower occurring above a large lake surrounded by hills. The shooting stars streak across a star-studded sky.

Meteor showers and shooting stars: Formation and history

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

Reference Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through a trail of dust from asteroids or comets, the dust burns up in Earth's atmosphere resulting in shooting stars.

Reference
comet streaking in sky

Bright fireball over Madrid traced back to comet of origin

By Robert Lea published

A meteor that erupted in a fireball at the end of July has been traced back to the debris of a comet that formed 4.6 billion years ago.

large full moon rises up behind a hill.

The last supermoon of the year rises tonight: Watch it online for free

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

Watch the last supermoon of the year rise over Rome with the Virtual Telescope Project's free livestream, which starts on Aug. 12 at 1:30 a.m. ET.

The Nikon Z fc in the sun

Nikon Z fc camera review

By Jacob Little published

Review The Nikon Z fc combines throwback styling with modern mirrorless camera technology in a neat APS-C package that we rate highly.

Review
Large orange full moon in the sky above a row of houses, its reflection is seen in the water below.

Supermoon alert: The last supermoon of the year rises tonight!

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

August's full moon will occur tonight (Aug. 11) and is the last supermoon of the year. The dazzling Sturgeon supermoon will outshine many Perseid meteors.

The night sky light phenomenon called STEVE lights up a sky filled with stars over a lake.

'STEVE' descends on North America after surprise solar storm

By Brandon Specktor published

A surprise solar storm bashed Earth on Aug. 7 and 8, triggering an appearance of the mysterious glowing phenomenon called STEVE.

Image of new moon

August new moon 2022: Planet Mercury reaches greatest elongation

By Jesse Emspak published

Reference The new moon of August occurs on Aug. 27 at 4:17 a.m. EDT (0817 GMT). Our guide describes which planets and constellations are visible during August's new moon 2022.

Reference
Best mirrorless cameras

Best mirrorless cameras

By Jason Parnell-Brookes published

We've scoped out the best mirrorless cameras available to buy in 2022 to cover any budget and skill range.

A bird is silhouetted in front of the moon

Best Night Vision Binoculars 2022

By Russ Swan published

Buying guide In the dark, these are the best night vision binoculars, monoculars, and goggles for seeking out subjects.

Buying guide
The Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ set up outside

Celestron Powerseeker 127 EQ review

By Russ Swan published

Review The flagship of Celestron's entry-level telescope range, the Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ's five-inch aperture and equatorial mount make it tempting to beginner astronomers.

Review
A close-up of Saturn and its rings.

Saturn at opposition: See the Lord of the Rings at its best this month

By Joe Rao published

On Sunday night (August 14th), Saturn arrives at opposition, when it lies on the opposite side of the sky from the sun.