Skywatching

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

Latest

moon passing in front of sun

NASA sun mission spots stunning solar eclipse in space

By Elizabeth Howell published

A sungazing spacecraft captured the moon passing in front of the face of the sun Wednesday (June 29).

Best beginner cameras: Image shows person in woolly hat taking picture with water and mountains behind them

Best beginner cameras 2022

By Jacob Little published

To help you make the right buying decision, here are our top picks of the best beginner cameras.

Orion StarMax 90 Tabletop

Amazon Prime Day 2022: The best space deals to watch

By Space.com Staff published

Amazon.com's annual Amazon Prime Day megasale begins on Monday, July 12 with deals in telescopes, binoculars, Star Wars and other space gear.

Skywatcher dobsonian telescope product images

What are Dobsonian Telescopes?

By Damian Peach published

Discover what Dobsonian telescopes are as we take you through their design and widespread popularity among astronomers.

A composite image of a bull elk is silhouetted against a full moon rise in Yellowstone National Park.

July full moon 2022: 'Buck supermoon' passes Saturn

By Jesse Emspak published

The full moon of July also called the "Buck Moon" or "Thunder Moon," will occur July 23 at 10:36 p.m. EDT (0236 GMT on July 24).

Graphic showing Neptune's change of course as it moves across the night sky.

Planet Neptune will go into reverse as it moves in the sky on Tuesday

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

Neptune will enter retrograde on Tuesday (June 28) and will appear to 'reverse its course' as it moves across the sky. Here's how to see it.

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 Hanneke Weitering 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
Graphic showing the moon and Mercury close together in the predawn sky.

See the moon shine near Mercury before dawn on Monday as it concludes its planet tour

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

The moon will pass close to Mercury in the predawn sky on Monday (June 27). Find out how and where to see this skywatching event.

A view of 5 planets aligned in the morning sky with labels.

You can watch the rare 5-planet alignment in a live webcast for free today

By Elizabeth Howell published

You can watch the five naked-eye planets align for free on a livestream that will be running Sunday (June 26).

A Celestron advanced vx 8-inch edge hd telescope in front of a brick wall

Celestron Advanced VX 8 Edge HD telescope: Full review

By Michael Covington published

Review This portable telescope setup is ideal for intermediate amateur astronomers who want to get serious.

Review
Graphic showing Venus close to the slim crescent moon in the predawn sky.

Don't miss Venus meet the moon before dawn on Sunday in gorgeous photo opportunity

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

A gorgeous photo opportunity will greet skywatchers on Sunday (June 26) when the slim crescent moon meets Venus in the early morning sky.

Wright Dobbs took this image of the five naked-eye planets from St. Cloud, Florida on June 24, 2022.

See the rare alignment of 5 planets and the moon in this stunning night sky photo

By Elizabeth Howell published

The rare sight of five bright planets lining up with the moon wowed skywatchers around the world Friday and you can still see it this weekend.

Telescope Deals: Image shows man with telescope against twilight background.

Telescope deals: Top picks from Celestron, Sky-Watcher and others

By Ruth Gaukrodger published

Deals We keep this best telescope deals guide up to date all year round — so keep checking back for the best discounts today.

Deals
Best photo editing apps for astrophotography: Image shows milky way over stream

Best photo editing apps for astrophotography 2022

By Ian Evenden published

Make your night sky images shine brighter by using one of the best photo editing apps for astrophotography.

Mirrorless camera in the hands of a photographer

Is a mirrorless camera worth the cost?

By Kimberley Lane published

Mirrorless cameras are rapidly rising in popularity, but are they actually worth the hefty price tag?

sky diagram of moon and venus

Venus and the crescent moon get together in dazzling dance early Sunday

By Joe Rao published

Get up early Sunday to see a celestial rendezvous between the two brightest objects in the night sky: Venus and the moon.

Graphic showing a line of planets and the moon across the predawn sky.

Rare alignment of 5 planets peaks Friday as crescent moon joins the parade

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

A rare planetary alignment will peak predawn on Friday (June 24) when the crescent moon joins the party. An alignment like this will not occur again until 2040.

fish-eye images of purple and orange skies

Blood-red aurora transforms into 'STEVE' before stargazer's eyes

By Brandon Specktor published

New footage shows the mysterious auroral phenomenon called STEVE emerging from a blood-red arc of light in New Zealand in 2015.

Side profile of the Sigma 150-600mm

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 OS HSM lens review

By Dave Stevenson published

Review Big, brutal, comparatively slow but this lens has world-beating zoom capabilities.

Review
Graphic showing where the moon will be located in the night sky with respect to Uranus on both June 24 and June 25.

See the moon 'jump' over Uranus in the predawn sky this week

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

The moon will appear to hop over Uranus in the predawn sky as it continues its planetary tour. The event will occur between Friday (June 24) and Saturday (June 25).