Skywatching

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

Latest

Gskyer 600x90mm AZ Refractor Telescope

Get 25% off a Gskyer refractor telescope, ideal for kids and beginners

By Alexander Cox published

Deal Get a saving of nearly $80 on a Gskyer refractor telescope that's a more affordable model for those wanting to get into stargazing.

Deal
Male photographer in a wheelchair taking photos in a city street

Best used DLSR cameras: save money on discounted gear

By Jacob Little published

Shop used and save money by buying one of the best DSLRs for a deep camera discount when you buy preowned.

An image of the quarter moon

See the first quarter moon on Saturday (Sept. 3)

By Robert Lea published

During the first quarter moon on Saturday (Sept. 3) the sun will illuminate half of the lunar surface.

An illustration of the night sky on Friday (Sept. 2) with the moon visible in the claws of the Scorpion constellation.

Catch the moon near the claws of the Scorpius constellation Friday

By Samantha Mathewson published

See the moon shine near the claws of the Scorpius constellation just after dusk tonight (Sept. 2).

Shot of the Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 next to its box

Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S wide-angle prime lens review

By Andy Hartup published

Review The Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S is an uncompromising, wide prime lens that's perfect for landscape astrophotography. As you'd expect, though, this lens isn't cheap.

Review
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102 AZ

Save $70 on the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ telescope

By Alexander Cox published

Deal That's a $70 saving on an excellent telescope that we rate as one of the best budget telescopes for under $500.

Deal
An illustration of the new moon on Sept. 25, 2022.

September new moon 2022: Jupiter at opposition

By Jesse Emspak published

Reference The new moon occurs September 25, at 5:54 p.m. EDT (2154 GMT). The new moon happens a day before Jupiter reaches opposition, when the planet is visible all night.

Reference
Female photographer holding camera inside home office and smiling

Best Budget Cameras: Picks from Canon, Olympus, Sony and more

By Jacob Little published

Buying a camera doesn't need to break the bank. Save money by picking up one of the best bargain cameras on the market.

The full moon rises over the Bondi Beach in Sydney on September 21, 2021.

September full moon 2022 guide: the Harvest Moon

By Jesse Emspak published

September's full moon will be bracketed by close approaches to Saturn on Sept. 8 and Jupiter on Sept. 11.

Woman and child viewing night sky with a telescope.

The brightest planets in September's night sky: How to see them (and when)

By Joe Rao published

Reference Our viewing guide tells you which planets are visible in September's night sky and how you can see them.

Reference
An image of the night sky on Sept. 1, 2022 showing several clusters of stars in the Milky Way.

See Milky Way star clusters shine in Thursday night's sky

By Brett Tingley published

The moon sets early on Thursday (Sept. 1), making the sky extra dark for viewing clusters of stars throughout the Milky Way galaxy with a backyard telescope.

A bird is silhouetted in front of the moon

Best Night Vision Binoculars 2022

By Russ Swan published

Buying guide These are the best night vision binoculars, monoculars, and goggles for seeking out subjects and moving around in the dark.

Buying guide
A woman uses a monocular

Best monocular 2022: Quality optical gear you can use for stargazing

By Jamie Carter published

Buying Guide Monoculars aren't just for observing wildlife; they can enhance your stargazing experience too.

Buying Guide
Celestron astromaster 70az telescope side profile view

Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ telescope review

By Jamie Carter published

Review A good value, though limited, telescope for observing the moon and planets, suited toward beginner astronomers.

Review
Astrophotographer Anthony Lynch sent in this photo of the Harvest Moon, September 2013, taken at Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland.

Harvest Moon 2022: When and how to see September's full moon

By Jesse Emspak published

Reference The full moon of September 2022 also carries the title of the Harvest Moon for those living in the Northern Hemisphere.

Reference
The night sky is more than just the moon and stars, if you know when and where to look.

Night sky, September 2022: What you can see tonight [maps]

By Chris Vaughan published

Reference Find out what to see in your night sky during September 2022 and how to see it in this Space.com stargazing guide.

Reference
An illustration of the night sky on Aug. 31 depicting the summer triangle.

See the Summer Triangle asterism after dusk Wednedsay (Aug. 31)

By Samantha Mathewson published

The Summer Triangle asterism consists of three bright, white stars: Vega, Altair and Deneb. Starting just after dusk, these three stars will be visible high overhead all night.

4M create a night sky projection kit laid out on a table

4M Create a Night Sky Projection Kit star projector review

By Tantse Walter published

Review We see if the Create A Night Sky Projection Kit is worth the cash as a build-your-own star projector.

Review
An illustration of the night sky on Aug. 29.

Watch the young moon rise above Mercury tonight

By Samantha Mathewson published

See the young moon over Mercury in the evening sky just after sunset tonight (Aug. 29).

Photographer taking images of the northern lights

Best cameras for photos and videos 2022

By Jason Parnell-Brookes published

Here are the best cameras for photography and video shooting on the market today.