Skywatching

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

Latest

Celestron Advanced VX 8 EdgeHD Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope

Save £400 on the Celestron Advanced VX 8 Edge HD telescope

By Alexander Cox published

Deal This Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is the complete night sky-viewing package and you can now save £400 on it.

Deal
Two people with headlamps looking out at the night sky from atop a rocky cliff at night

Best headlamps 2022: best lights for stargazing and general lowlight scenes

By Tantse Walter published

A guide to the best headlamps that keep your hands free and won't ruin your night vision when stargazing or taking astrophotographs.

meteor streaks above tree silhouettes

Perseid meteor shower 2022 webcast: Watch the 'shooting stars' live online tonight!

By Samantha Mathewson published

The annual Perseid meteor shower is approaching its peak, and you can enjoy the event live online.

Several meteors can be seen streaking across a starry night sky.

Perseid meteor shower peaks this week, but don't expect much

By Samantha Mathewson published

The peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower shares the sky with August's full moon this week, meaning it will be difficult to view the iconic shooting stars.

Best cameras for astrophotography: Image shows Milky Way behind durdle door in Dorset

Best cameras for astrophotography 2022

By Jason Parnell-Brookes published

Shoot amazing photos of the solar system and beyond with one of the best cameras for astrophotography.

The Scagell against a seascape at dusk

Vaonis Stellina Observation Station Smart telescope review

By Robin Scagell published

Review The Stellina is a combination of a telescope and camera, and brings the Universe to the palm of your hand in minutes.

Review
Tent under stars in night sky

Best stargazing tents: keep warm and dry when skywatching

By Jason Parnell-Brookes published

We round up the best stargazing tents for all situations, from solitary travelers to hosting parties.

streaking meteors

Perseid meteor shower generates early 'shooting stars' (video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

If you're worried about the full moon washing out the Perseid meteor shower peak Aug. 12, go out now. NASA cameras have already spotted 'shooting stars.'

Auroras can be generated when the sun belches out particles that hit the Earth's upper atmosphere.

Stunning Northern Lights shine amid solar storm (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

Earth was zapped by a solar storm on Sunday (Aug. 7) and the activity generated enormous auroras, or northern lights, across a swath of the planet.

The Nickon Action 12x50 Binocular laying on a bench.

Nikon Action EX 12x50 binoculars review

By Jamie Carter published

Review Although heavy, the Nikon Action EX 12x50 binoculars offer clear, crisp and bright views from within a tough, waterproof body.

Review
Photo of the Celestron Nature DX ED resting on a wall

Celestron Nature DX ED 12x50 binoculars review

By Jamie Carter published

Review The Celestron Nature DX ED 12x50s are compact and portable, but some high-end glass makes these binoculars a serious step-up option.

Review
Large, bright full moon to the upper right of the image above a red and white lighthouse with water in the foreground.

Sturgeon Supermoon: August's Sturgeon Full Moon will be the last of 4 in a row

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

The final supermoon of the year will rise this week (Aug. 11). The full Sturgeon moon with likely outshine the Perseid meteor shower which peaks Aug. 11-12.

A turtle crossing a road.

Artificial light at night can change the behavior of all animals, not just humans

By Therésa Jones, Kathryn McNamara published

Nocturnal behaviors have been evolved to take advantage of the darkness of night. Yet today, they are under an increasing threat from the presence of artificial lighting.

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

Skywatchers can see debris from spectacular comet outburst this month

By Tereza Pultarova published

Debris produced by the most spectacular comet outburst ever observed will be visible from Earth later this month even to amateur telescopes. Here is how to look for it.

The Petzl Actik Core with the red lamp turned on

Petzl ACTIK CORE 450 headlamp review

By Tantse Walter published

Review Might this be the perfect headlamp for sky watchers, and everyone else? We put it to the test.

Review
The Perseid meteor showers are reflected in a lake.

Damage control for the Perseid meteor shower: 2022 dark sky opportunities

By Joe Rao published

Because of the brightness of the moon, the best times to see the Perseid meteor shower this year will be during the predawn hours several mornings before the night of full moon.

Best tripods for astrophotography: Image shows person using camera and tripod at night

Best tripods: For astrophotography, landscape, and more

By Diana Jarvis published

Here's our round-up of the best tripods on the market, and we think every astrophotographer should have one.

Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescope

Save $70 on the powerful Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ telescope

By Alexander Cox published

Deals The powerful Newtonian reflector telescope is 22% off on Amazon and is a great choice for those without much experience.

Deals
Best zoom lenses: Image shows camera with telephoto lens attached

Best zoom lenses

By Dave Stevenson published

These are the best zoom lenses you can get right now for Canon, Nikon, Sony and other cameras.

An outburst of Perseid meteors lights up the sky in August 2009 in this time-lapse image.

August's full moon likely to outshine Perseid meteor shower this year, NASA astronomer says

By Samantha Mathewson published

The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most anticipated and popular night-sky shows of the year, is likely to be upstaged by August’s full moon.