Observing NGC 5897: A Guide to the Ghost Globular The globular cluster NGC 5897 is a mid-8th-magnitude deep-sky object located in the constellation Libra, positioned approximately 24,000 light-years from Earth. According to Astronomy magazine, the cluster is often referred to as the “Ghost Globular” due to its diffuse appearance and structural similarity to the more … Read more
Observing Saturn’s Moons: Tracking Dione’s Transit Amateur astronomers can observe the moon Dione crossing north of Saturn on the morning of June 19, 2026, using a telescope under dark sky conditions. According to Astronomy magazine senior editor Alison Klesman, the 10th-magnitude moon will reach its closest point to the planet’s north pole shortly before 4:30 … Read more
Comet 220P/McNaught reached its perihelion, or closest point to the Sun, on June 14, 2026, following a rare and massive brightness outburst that increased its magnitude by nearly 10 points. According to Astronomy magazine, the comet jumped from 18th magnitude to nearly magnitude 8 in a single day, marking one of the most significant brightening … Read more
Chasing Asteroids: How Modern Amateur Astronomy is Evolving For centuries, tracking minor planets like 3 Juno was the exclusive domain of professional observatories with massive glass and complex logistics. Today, the landscape of amateur astronomy has shifted dramatically. With the rise of high-precision digital tools and accessible planetarium software, backyard observers are now capable of … Read more
The New Golden Age of Stargazing: How Technology is Changing Our View of the Cosmos For centuries, the beauty of the night sky was a privilege reserved for those with the patience to endure the cold and the luck to find a patch of darkness. We looked up at Jupiter’s belts or Saturn’s rings through … Read more
The Thrill of the Hunt: Why Amateur Astronomy is Booming Tonight, amateur astronomers across the globe are turning their lenses toward the constellation Virgo to track 13 Egeria, a main-belt asteroid. While space agencies like NASA and JAXA launch multi-billion dollar missions to study these rocky bodies, the most rewarding discovery often happens in your … Read more
The New Era of Stargazing: How Technology is Bringing the Cosmos Closer For centuries, the act of gazing at the stars was reserved for those with expensive telescopes or the patience to master complex star charts. But we are currently witnessing a fundamental shift in how humans interact with the night sky. From the sudden … Read more
February’s Celestial Trio: Moon, Mercury and Distant Planets Align Published February 18, 2026 An hour after sunset, Venus has set but Mercury remains above the horizon, with the Moon and Saturn visible above it. Neptune lies near Saturn, viewable with optical aid. Credit: Stellarium/USGS/Celestia/Clementine A Rare Evening Alignment Skywatchers are in for a treat this … Read more
January’s Celestial Alignment: Finding Neptune with Saturn as Your Guide Saturn continues to point the way to Neptune all month; note that Neptune requires optical aid to view. They are best seen in early evening. Credit: Astronomy: Roen Kelly For stargazers in January, a fascinating planetary pairing unfolds in the evening sky. Saturn, a brilliant … Read more
Back to Article List Comets and meteor showers are captivating celestial events, but their increasing visibility alongside galaxies hints at a growing trend: accessible deep-sky observing for enthusiasts. The path of Comet 24P/Schaumasse in late December, showcasing its proximity to galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. Credit: Astronomy: Roen Kelly The Rise of Accessible Deep-Sky Observing … Read more