Skywatching

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

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An image of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) as seen over Italy on Jan. 24, 2023.

The Comet Interceptor probe could visit a stunning object like the green C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

By Meghan Bartels published

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is tantalizing to spot through a telescope, but what would it look like up close?

Graphic illustration with "space calendar" in large blue neon letters and 2023 below it in smaller white letters. Below the title are four neon images depicting a meteor or comet, a telescope, a rocket launch and an astronaut's helmet. There is a starry background to the entire image.

Space calendar 2023: Rocket launches, skywatching events, missions & more!

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference Keep up with all the rocket launches, astronomical events and mission milestones for 2023 with our space calendar.

Reference
An illustration of the first quarter moon as it will appear in the sky on Saturday (Jan. 28).

Watch the 1st half-lit first quarter moon of 2023 rise tonight

By Stefanie Waldek published

On Saturday, Jan. 28, skywatchers will be able to see the year's 1st first quarter moon, when the moon appears to be half-lit from the perspective of Earth.

Jan28b-2023 at 1130 pm - Half-moon Buzzes Uranus

Watch the moon eclipse Uranus tonight

By Robert Lea published

On Saturday (Jan. 28), the moon will cover Uranus in the night sky during a lunar occultation for some regions of Earth. In other places, the two bodies will share a close approach to one another.

Asteroid 2023 BU during its approach to Earth seen through the eyes of the Virtual Telescope in Italy.

Watch an SUV-size asteroid zoom by Earth in close shave flyby in this time-lapse video

By Tereza Pultarova published

Watch asteroid 2023 BU make a close flyby of Earth in images shared by the Virtual Telescope Project taken when the rock was just 13,670 miles (22,000 kilometers) from the surface.

Celestron SkyMaster 12x60

Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 binocular review

By Tantse Walter published

Review An excellent choice for entry-level astronomers the Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 binos are great for long-range terrestrial observing.

Review
The celestron nexstar 4se set up outside in a field

Celestron NexStar 4SE telescope review

By Jonathan Lansley-Gordon published

Review The NexStar 4SE is a good scope for beginner astronomers — quick to set up and easy to use, automatically finding night sky objects for that instant wow factor.

Review
An illustration of the night sky on Jan. 30 depicting Mars approaching the dark limb of the moon.

See the moon eclipse Mars on Jan. 30 in free telescope webcast

By Brett Tingley published

The moon will eclipse Mars on Monday (Jan. 30), and you can watch the event from the comfort of your own home thanks to a livestream from the Griffith Observatory.

One of the best night vision binoculars in front of birds on a tree branch, silhouetted by a full moon in the background

Best Night Vision Binoculars 2023: Spot subjects in the dark

By Russ Swan last updated

Buying Guide All the best night vision binoculars, monoculars, and goggles for seeing in the dark at night are especially helpful during the longer winter nights.

Buying Guide
An illustration of an asteroid passing close to Earth.

Watch asteroid 2023 BU pass close by Earth today in this free webcast

By Brett Tingley last updated

Asteroid 2023 BU will pass Earth at a distance of 2,178 miles (3,506 kilometers) on Thursday (Jan. 26) — closer than satellites in geostationary orbit.

noctilucent clouds over a black horizon

SpaceX Starlink launch spawns gorgeous dawn clouds in Florida sky

By Elizabeth Howell published

Noctilucent clouds hovered over parts of Florida's Space Coast after SpaceX rocketed 56 Starlink satellites to orbit early Thursday morning (Jan. 26).

Panasonic Lumix G100

Save over $200 on the Panasonic Lumix G100 mirrorless camera

By Alexander Cox published

Deals That's a 27% saving on a 4K mirrorless camera that we rate as one of the very best for beginners on the market, it won't last long though as they're currently low in stock.

Deals
Best DSLR cameras: Image shows man using DSLR next to lake

Best DSLR cameras in 2023: Our top picks of full-frame and crop-sensor bodies

By Jason Parnell-Brookes last updated

Buying Guide Here's our round-up of the best DSLR cameras in 2023 that can still compete with mirrorless models.

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

Best beginner cameras in 2023: Models from Canon, Sony, Nikon and more

By Jacob Little last updated

Buying Guide We've rounded up the best beginner cameras on the market for 2023, so you can buy the right camera for your photography style.

Buying Guide
A photograph of comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) taken by Miguel Claro.

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) shines bright while closest to the sun in gorgeous photo

By Miguel Claro published

The image shows a close-up view of comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) during perihelion, when it was at its closest to the sun on Jan. 12, 2023.

Celestron nexstar 4se telescope on white background

Save $135 on the Celestron NexStar 4SE computerized telescope

By Alexander Cox published

Deal It's the lowest price we've seen on the Celestron NexStar 4SE telescope for a while and you can now get a huge $135 discount.

Deal
An illustration of the night sky over Earth on Wednesday, Jan. 25 when the moon and Jupiter meet in the night sky.

See the moon meet up with Jupiter tonight (Jan. 25)

By Robert Lea published

On Wednesday (Jan. 25) the moon will meet up with Jupiter in the night sky as the two bodies share the same right ascension and make a close approach to each other.

Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 binocular in hand

Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 binocular review

By Jason Parnell-Brookes published

Review Reasonably priced and easy to use, the Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 binocular is suitable for beginners and hobbyists alike who want bright, sharp optics in a compact device.

Review
An illustration of the night sky on Jan. 24 showing Venus and Saturn below the crescent moon.

See Venus and Saturn together beneath the crescent moon tonight (Jan. 24)

By Brett Tingley published

Venus and Saturn will appear close together in the night sky on Tuesday (Jan. 24) beneath a crescent moon.

Skywatching with a Unistellar telescope

Save $1000 on the Unistellar eQuinox computerized telescope

By Alexander Cox published

Deals Get a massive $1000 discount on this highly sophisticated eQuinox telescope and save a ton of money.

Deals