Skywatching

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

Latest

Venus Passes Uranus

See Venus meet up with Uranus in the sky tonight (March 31)

By Robert Lea published

The solar system's hottest planet (Venus) and its coldest one (Uranus) will be in conjunction tonight (March 31), offering a rare opportunity for skywatchers.

The celestron nexstar 4se set up outside in a field

We've discovered the Celestron Nexstar 4SE is now $180 off

By Alexander Cox published

Deal This is a fantastic deal on a telescope we rate as one of the very best on the market.

Deal
An illustration of the night sky on March 29 showing the moon next to the twins of the Gemini constellation, Castor and Pollux.

Spot the half-lit moon between the Gemini twins Castor and Pollux tonight

By Brett Tingley published

On Wednesday (March 29), the gibbous moon will appear alongside the twin stars of the Gemini constellation, Castor and Pollux.

Planetary alignment on Mar. 27, 2023.

Watch a 5 planet parade today with this free telescope livestream

By Brett Tingley published

The Virtual Telescope Project will be streaming "Five Planets at a glance" on March 28, offering a view of this planetary parade from Rome.

The Moon and Mars in the Winter Hexagon

Watch Mars near the first quarter moon in the night sky tonight

By Stefanie Waldek published

This month's first quarter moon occurs today, March 28, meaning it will appear half-full in the night sky.

A man looks up at the dawn sky with a pair of binoculars.

5 planets will align tonight and you won't want to miss it. Here's where to look.

By Joe Rao last updated

On March 27, a cosmic parade of five planets, the moon and a star cluster will line up in the night sky. Here's how to see the special event.

Night vision binoculars against a white background.

We've spotted 56% off these Hexeum night vision binoculars

By Alexander Cox published

Deals That discount means you save nearly $170 on a product that we rate as one of the best night vision binoculars on the market.

Deals
Man uses binoculars to look at the night sky as the sun sets and telescopes are on tripods around him

What equipment do you need to see and photograph the planets

By Gemma Lavender published

Reference How to achieve the very best views and images of the neighboring worlds in our solar system.

Reference
The BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve on a table next to it's packaging and power cable

BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve Galaxy Star Projector review

By Tantse Walter published

Review The third generation of BlissLights Sky Lite star projectors now boasts voice control, a new spherical design and features patented color-blending technology.

Review
A preview of the dwarf planet Ceres "meeting" spiral galaxy Messier 100 in the night sky

How to watch Ceres, a dwarf planet 14 times smaller than Pluto, photobomb a spiral galaxy this weekend

By Jamie Carter published

Watch live online as the dwarf planet Ceres swoops in front of the 'grand design' spiral galaxy Messier 100 this weekend.

graphic illustration showing the crescent moon shining to the lower left of the Pleiades star cluster, the scene is encompassed by an orange circle.

See the moon shine next to the Pleiades star cluster tonight (March 25)

By Robert Lea published

The waxing crescent moon will visit the Pleiades tonight (March 25) passing this densely packed bright star cluster also known as "the Seven Sisters" in the evening.

The Virtual Telescope Project will livestream views of the asteroid 2023 DZ2 on March 25, 2023, beginning at 7:30 p.m. EDT (2330 GMT).

Watch skyscraper-sized asteroid zoom near Earth tonight (March 25) in free livestream

By Mike Wall published

The near-Earth asteroid 2023 DZ2 will pass within 107,500 miles (173,000 kilometers) of Earth today (March 25), and you can watch the flyby live online.

a red moon backdropped by black night

See the moon turn blood red in this stunning lunar eclipse video

By Miguel Claro published

A new time lapse showcases the incredible view during a lunar eclipse, which will help us wait out the two-year drought until a new blood moon appears in our skies.

the annular eclipse will be visible from Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. The image at dawn shows the sun rising off the ride side of the image, bathing the impressive rock structures in the canyon in a golden red light.

'Ring of fire' from US national parks: 7 great places to see the annular solar eclipse 2023

By Jamie Carter published

The annular solar eclipse 2023 will be visible in over a dozen U.S. national parks. Here are the best scenic spots to catch the spectacular 'ring of fire'.

The Northern Lights appear in the sky on March 23, 2023 in Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada.

Skywatchers enjoy surprise auroras as strongest solar storm in years hits Earth (photos)

By Tereza Pultarova published

A surprise solar storm supercharged auroras across the U.S. and Europe last night (March 23), with sightings of the colorful displays reported from as far south as New Mexico and Arizona.

Green band of aurora light in the sky above a rural building.

Strongest solar storm in nearly 6 years slams into Earth catching forecasters by surprise

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

A stealthy solar storm surprised forecasters, causing spaceflight delays and incredible aurora displays as far south as New Mexico.

graphic illustration showing the thin crescent moon to the lower left of Uranus. Both are encompassed in a large circle which represents the field of view with a backyard telescope.

Want to see Uranus? The crescent moon points the way tonight (March 24)

By Robert Lea published

The duo should be visible with binoculars or a small telescope.

two scenes side by side. one shows the new moon high in the sky above a lake and pergolas. the second scene is a timelapse photo of the new moon rising in a glowing sky with mountains and a lake

New moon glows with 'Earthshine' in incredible time-lapse photo series

By Miguel Claro published

The new moon glows in the sky above Turkey with the reflected light of Earth shining upon it in gorgeous photos by astrophotographer Miguel Claro.

Solar eclipse photographed in Chon Buri, Thailand. The red hue image shows a distinct 'ring of fire' glowing in the sky, slightly obscured by a cloud.

Annular solar eclipse 2023: Everything you need to know about North America's 'ring of fire' eclipse

By Jamie Carter published

Reference The annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023, will be visible from eight states in the U.S. Southwest. Find out how and where to see the 'ring of fire' eclipse in our ultimate guide.

Reference
graphic from Starry Night software showing the faintly illuminated young moon below Venus shining brightly.

Look up! See Venus shine next to the young moon tonight

By Joe Rao published

On Thursday, March 23, Venus will shine close to the slender slither of the young moon, providing an eye-catching sight in the night sky.