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 image captures the movement of Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF over 3 days (Dec. 27, 28, and 29 2022) in the night sky.

See '3 days in the life' of gorgeous green comet as it heads towards Earth (photo)

By Brett Tingley published

A photo taken by Soumyadeep Mukherjee of Kolkata, India depicts what the photographer calls "Three Days in the Life of a Comet," spanning from Dec. 27 to 29, 2022.

The comet appears to have a glowing green/blue nucleus and a long pink/white tail stretch off in one direction as it streaks across a star-studded sky.

Comets: Everything you need to know about the 'dirty snowballs' of space

By Charles Q. Choi, Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Comets are icy leftovers from the formation of the solar system. Explore these 'dirty snowballs' in more detail with our comet guide.

Night vision binoculars against a white background.

Save over 50% on these Hexeum night vision binoculars

By Alexander Cox published

Deals Finding 54% off the Hexeum night vision binoculars in the peak of winter with long, dark nights could be perfect timing.

Deals
Celestron nexstar evolution 9.25-inch telescope on a white background

Save 20% on the Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25 telescope

By Jason Parnell-Brookes published

Deals Grab over $700 off the smartphone-controlled computerized Celestron Nexstar Evolution 9.25 telescope and see the stars in the cosmos at a fraction of the cost.

Deals
Image shows the rear cameras on one of the best camera phones Samsung camera phones

Best camera phone 2023: Smartphones with stargazing capabilities

By Jamie Carter last updated

Buying guide Our top picks for the best camera phones available on the market today including Apple, Google and Samsung.

Buying guide
A NASA/JPL image showing Venus and Saturn moving together in the night sky.

Watch Venus and Saturn begin joining up in the night sky this week

By Stefanie Waldek published

The planets will begin closing in on one another ahead of a conjunction on Sunday (Jan. 22), during which they will appear just one-third of a degree apart.

Celestron astromaster 70az lt telescope objective lens

Save over $70 on this Celestron 70AZ LT telescope kit

By Alexander Cox published

Deals If you're looking to get into stargazing for a bargain, then saving over $70 on this Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ LT telescope kit could be right for you.

Deals
Main with one of the best cameras for photos and videos at a harbour

Best cameras for photos and videos 2023: From beginner to pro level

By Jason Parnell-Brookes last updated

Buying Guide The best cameras for photos and videos from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm and other top brands, ranging from beginner cameras to professional models.

Buying Guide
The National Geographic Children's binoculars laying on a worktop

National Geographic 6x21 children's binoculars review

By Tantse Walter published

Review A 'real' pair of children's binoculars for kids, the National Geographic 6x21 is aimed at ages six and up to enjoy in the daytime.

Review
McNaught's comet over lake

How to view and photograph comets

By Jason Parnell-Brookes published

Reference As comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) nears the sun, get the best sights and images of this celestial encounter with our handy guide.

Reference
Jan22-2023 at 550 pm - Venus Kisses Saturn

See Venus and Saturn snuggle in the sky Sunday (Jan. 22)

By Joe Rao published

Venus and Saturn will be in conjunction on Sunday (Jan. 22), appearing close enough together in the sky to both be seen through a telescope. The close pairing will also be visible to the naked-eye.

Man and telescope against milkyway backdrop

Best telescope mounts in 2023

By Damian Peach last updated

We take a look at a selection of the best telescopes mounts currently on offer.

An illustration of the night sky on Jan. 21 showing the new moon.

January new moon 2023: Venus and Saturn join the moon

By Jesse Emspak last updated

Reference The new moon of January will be at 3:53 p.m. EST on Saturday (Jan. 21), and will soon be followed by a conjunction of Venus and Saturn.

Reference
Best lenses for astrophotography: Image shows camera pointing at sunset

Best lenses for astrophotography in 2023

By Stuart Cornell last updated

Buying Guide Our roundup of the best lenses for astrophotography, from Canon, Sony, Nikon, Sigma and more.

Buying Guide
Image of a blue moon - a full moon colored slightly blue. But a blue moon is not really colored blue.

Blue Moon: What is it and when does it occur?

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference A Blue Moon is a rare occurrence that depends on the timings of full moons during the year. The moon is not blue during a Blue Moon.

Reference
Camera deals: Image shows person pointing camera forwards

Camera deals 2023: Best offers from Nikon, Sony, Canon and more

By Ian Evenden last updated

Deals All the best camera deals on the market this year, including the biggest discounts on Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm and more.

Deals
The best star projectors composited together in front of a starry backdrop

Best star projectors 2023: Transform your room at home with the cosmos

By Jamie Carter last updated

Buying Guide The best star projectors make excellent gifts for space lovers, project accurate night skies or just add some night light ambiance, we explore the top models with the best discounts.

Buying Guide
Best telescopes under $500: Image shows man using telescope at night with blurred city lights in background

The best budget telescopes under $500 2023: Picks from Celestron, Meade and Orion

By Jason Parnell-Brookes last updated

Deals The best budget telescopes on the market, options for telescopes under $500 to sub $100 models, with top names from reputable retailers.

Deals
Two major sunspot groups tracked across the surface of the sun between Dec. 2 and Dec. 27, 2022 in this mosaic created by Şenol Şanlı..

Incredible time-lapse photo captures the sun during an 8-year sunspot peak

By Harry Baker published

A new time-lapse image shows two major sunspot groups moving across the surface of the sun in December 2022, when the number of solar splotches also skyrocketed to an eight-year high.

Phases of a lunar eclipse showing the moon turn progressively red.

Lunar eclipses 2023: When, where & how to see them

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference There are two lunar eclipses in 2023. Our guide tells you how you can see them and when the next lunar eclipse will occur.

Reference