Skywatching

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

Latest

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.

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 photographs shine even brighter when you use one of the best photo editing apps for astrophotography.

A young child holds binoculars in awe with mouth agape and roses in the background

Best binoculars for kids: lightweight and compact models to view the stars

By Jamie Carter published

Buying Guide Use the best binoculars for kids to enjoy stargazing, wildlife and more with these compact and lightweight models suited to young astronomers.

Buying Guide
Observing through beginner telescope

Best telescopes for beginners: Top budget-friendly picks for viewing the planets, galaxies and more

By Gemma Lavender published

Buying Guide Our selection of the best entry-level telescopes available for beginner budding astronomers and astrophotographers.

Buying Guide
solar flare glowing on sun in green filter

Sizzling solar storm puts planet Earth on aurora watch (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

Auroras have been swirling through the skies already this week as the sun awakens from slumber.

Best telescopes for skywatching

Best telescopes 2022: Top picks for viewing planets, galaxies, stars and more

By Gemma Lavender published

Buying Guide Looking for the best telescopes available in 2022? We've listed them here in one handy guide for you.

Buying Guide
Gskyer 600x90mm AZ Refractor Telescope

Save over 20% and grab this kids telescope for under $100

By Alexander Cox published

The 23% saving comes on a best selling refractor telescope, ideal for any young scientist or budding astronomer.

An illustration of the night sky on Aug. 25, 2022.

See the old moon and Venus conjunction tonight

By Samantha Mathewson published

A close encounter, or conjunction, between August's waning crescent moon and Venus occurs tonight when the two objects share the same right ascension.

The near side of the moon, as seen by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft.

Photographers capture 'ridiculously detailed image' of the moon for NASA's Artemis 1 launch

By Tariq Malik published

Two astrophotographers have captured a spectacular photo of the moon with a mind-blowing resolution of 174 megapixels to honor NASA's Artemis 1 mission.

Leica Trinovid 10x25 BCA Binoculars

UK binoculars deal: Save £48 on a pair of Leica Trinovid binoculars on Wex

By Alexander Cox published

That's a big saving on some a pair of Leica binoculars that will serve you well for a rang of different outdoor activities.

Silhouette of a telescope pointing towards a full moon.

Moon viewing guide: What to look for on the lunar surface

By All About Space magazine published

Reference Our ultimate guide to observing the moon will help you plan your next skywatching venture whether it be exploring the lunar seas or the many craters that blanket the landscape.

Reference
An illustration of the night sky on Aug. 24

Uranus will reverse its path in the sky on Wednesday (Aug 24). Here's how to see it

By Samantha Mathewson published

Uranus will reverse its eastward movement Wednesday (Aug. 24) and begin its westward path across the night sky.

An illustration of the night sky on Aug. 25 including Venus in close proximity to the moon.

The moon and Venus will make one last morning dance on Thursday (Aug. 25)

By Joe Rao published

On Thursday Aug. 25 we will have an opportunity to catch sight of the two brightest objects in the night sky, Venus and the moon, engaged in a final morning dance.

After the sudden outburst in 2007, the coma of comet 17/P Holmes became temporarily wider than the sun.

Debris from most spectacular comet outburst may explain its perplexing behavior — and be visible in telescopes

By Tereza Pultarova published

Debris from the most spectacular comet outburst ever is visible from Earth this month and astronomers hope the observations might shed light on the puzzling event that brightened up the sky in 2007.

Astronomer Don Machholz looking into a telescope

In Memoriam: Famed 'Comet Hunter' Don Machholz dies at 69

By Joe Rao published

Donald Edward Machholz was an American amateur astronomer who was the leading visual comet discoverer, credited with the visual discovery of 12 comets that bear his name.

flare emerging from sun at bottom right

Storm-boosted auroras dazzle skywatchers around the world (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

Auroras shone in many polar regions last night following a moderate-sized solar storm. And more might be coming after a more recent sun eruption.

green aurora waves over earth

Astronaut spots bright aurora storm from the International Space Station (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

A moderate-sized aurora glowed eerily green within view of the International Space Station crew, following a burst of activity from the sun.