Telescopes & Astrophotography
Telescopes and mounts, astrophotography equipment and software, practical reviews, night-sky events and astronomy discoveries for amateur observers.
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This reading list brings together items from the sources selected for Telescopes & Astrophotography. Open each item at its original source for the complete article, episode or video. This is a selection of current coverage, not a complete archive.
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Planetary systems fall into 2 distinct families, astronomers say
Astronomers studying planetary systems in the Milky Way have found they can be sorted into two families. These families are largely determined by the host star. The post Planetary systems fall into 2 distinct families, astronomers say first appeared on EarthSky.
What star in the northeast flashes colorfully? It’s Capella!
If you see a bright star in the northeast on October evenings, twinkling with red and green flashes, it's probably Capella. See sky charts here. The post What star in the northeast flashes colorfully? It’s Capella! first appeared on EarthSky.
NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars sets off-world driving record
The Mars Perseverance rover has set a new distance record on Mars. It has driven 28.10 miles (45.22 km) across the surface of the red planet. The post NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars sets off-world driving record first appeared on EarthSky.
Weirdest cloud on Mars formed via ‘exotic physics’
The weirdest cloud on Mars has a funny-sounding name. Scientists call it the Arsia Mons Elongated Cloud. Come find out what's weird about it! The post Weirdest cloud on Mars formed via ‘exotic physics’ first appeared on EarthSky.
Meet Aquarius the Water Bearer and its stars
Aquarius lies in a “watery” part of the sky, near Pisces the Fish, Cetus the Whale, Eridanus the River and Piscis Austrinus the Southern Fish. The post Meet Aquarius the Water Bearer and its stars first appeared on EarthSky.
Another satellite breakup raises concerns about space junk
An inactive Soviet weather satellite has broken apart above Earth. The satellite breakup has added tens of debris fragments to an already crowded low-Earth orbit. The post Another satellite breakup raises concerns about space junk first appeared on EarthSky.
Did formaldehyde on ancient Mars help kickstart life?
Formaldehyde in the ancient rains on Mars might have provided crucial chemical reactions needed for life to begin on the red planet billions of years ago. The post Did formaldehyde on ancient Mars help kickstart life? first appeared on EarthSky.
Smile mission releases its stunning 1st aurora footage!
This mesmerizing ultraviolet footage of Earth’s aurora is the 1st release from the Smile mission. The mission is a collaboration of the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In this image, we see the full ring of northern lights circling Earth’s North Pole, as stars drift behind Earth. Notice how the ring ripples and brightens. That’s the signature of a substorm, a sudden release of energy stored in Earth’s
Mercury is farthest from the sunset on October 12
The innermost planet, Mercury, will be 25 degrees from the sun at greatest elongation at 10 UTC on October 12. Look for it shortly after sunset. The post Mercury is farthest from the sunset on October 12 first appeared on EarthSky.
Black holes could have planets, new simulations suggest
New simulations by 2 astrophysicists suggest that supermassive black holes could have planets orbiting them, much like planets orbit stars. The post Black holes could have planets, new simulations suggest first appeared on EarthSky.
The ghost of Biela’s Comet: It created a storm and disappeared
November's Andromedid meteor shower is from the ghost of Biela’s Comet. It stunned observers in the 1800s, breaking up and producing meteor storms. The post The ghost of Biela’s Comet: It created a storm and disappeared first appeared on EarthSky.
Martian dawn pic from Curiosity rover highlights cliffs and crags
On October 6, 2026, NASA released an image of Martian dawn from the Curiosity rover. The image captures a pale light illuminating distant cliffs and crags. The post Martian dawn pic from Curiosity rover highlights cliffs and crags first appeared on EarthSky.
Find the Andromeda Galaxy using Cassiopeia
Leave the city behind this weekend, and go galaxy-hunting! Cassiopeia - one of the easiest constellations to identify - points the way to the Andromeda Galaxy. The post Find the Andromeda Galaxy using Cassiopeia first appeared on EarthSky.
Moon and Jupiter pics here! A cosmic hide-and-seek
On Tuesday morning, the moon slid in front of Jupiter, blocking it from view. Our EarthSky community shared their moon and Jupiter pics. The post Moon and Jupiter pics here! A cosmic hide-and-seek first appeared on EarthSky.
Flashing star in autumn? Here are 3 candidates
Flashing star in October? Discover 3 bright stars that shimmer in red, green and other colors, and find out why they put on this dazzling show. The post Flashing star in autumn? Here are 3 candidates first appeared on EarthSky.
How a helium leak in an exoplanet atmosphere hints at life
A tentative helium detection may offer the 1st glimpse of this exoplanet atmosphere, but we'll need more evidence to know if LHS 1140b could host life. The post How a helium leak in an exoplanet atmosphere hints at life first appeared on EarthSky.
World Space Week is October 4 to 10. Find events here
Happy World Space Week! It runs October 4 through 10. The dates were chosen in honor of the October 4, 1957, launch of Sputnik 1 — world’s first Earth-orbiting satellite — who unassuming beep beep in orbit sent shock waves around the world. And the ending date relates to the October 10, 1967,
Is this an alien radio signal from a super-Earth exoplanet?
Did China's FAST radio telescope detect an alien radio signal coming from the super-Earth exoplanet K2-155 d? Probably not. The post Is this an alien radio signal from a super-Earth exoplanet? first appeared on EarthSky.
Could an Earthlike planet with 2 stars be nearby?
A new astronomical model has found that an Earthlike planet could have a stable and potentially habitable orbit around a star in a nearby 2-star system. The post Could an Earthlike planet with 2 stars be nearby? first appeared on EarthSky.
We fly between the sun and Saturn. At opposition today
Don't miss Saturn at opposition on and around the night of October 4, 2026. That's when our planet Earth passes between the sun and Saturn. The post Saturn at opposition – brightest for 2026 – on October 4 first appeared on EarthSky.
Stargazing tips! 10 great tips for beginning astronomers
If you're new to observing the night sky, check out our top 10 stargazing tips for beginners. We'll help you explore and expand your love for astronomy. The post Stargazing tips! 10 great tips for beginning astronomers first appeared on EarthSky.
Water systems on early Mars were complex and hot
NASA's Perseverance rover has found evidence of ancient complex water systems on early Mars, including hot hydrothermal activity. The post Water systems on early Mars were complex and hot first appeared on EarthSky.
Mars calendar year begins September 30: Happy New Year, Mars!
Mars calendar year 39 begins on September 30, 2026. If you’re looking for a reason to celebrate, here’s to a Happy New Year ... on Mars. The post Mars calendar year begins September 30: Happy New Year, Mars! first appeared on EarthSky.
Alpha Cephei, or Alderamin, is a fast-spinning star
Meet Alpha Cephei, in the constellation Cepheus the King. It’s spinning so fast that it appears like a slightly flattened beach ball. The post Alpha Cephei, or Alderamin, is a fast-spinning star first appeared on EarthSky.
Starship reaches Earth’s orbit for 1st time
SpaceX's Starship spacecraft finally reached Earth's orbit in its 14th test flight on September 28. Though successful, the flight was not without its flaws. The post Starship reaches Earth’s orbit for 1st time first appeared on EarthSky.
Weather on exoplanets: Decoding the atmosphere of SIMP 0136
Researchers in Ireland have found a new way to decode the weather on exoplanets. They started with the planetary-mass object SIMP 0136. The post Weather on exoplanets: Decoding the atmosphere of SIMP 0136 first appeared on EarthSky.
A black hole jet is aimed at us … and it’s in our galaxy
For the first time, scientists have discovered a microblazar, a black hole system in our own galaxy with a jet pointed at Earth. It lies about 12,000 light-years away. The post A black hole jet is aimed at us … and it’s in our galaxy first appeared on EarthSky.
Watch for the daytime moon after sunrise this week
Watch for the beautiful daytime moon this week, a pale orb floating against a blue sky in the morning hours. Look west! You'll see it! The post Watch for the daytime moon after sunrise this week first appeared on EarthSky.
The September full Moon is the Harvest Moon near Saturn
The September full moon - the Super Harvest Moon - happens overnight on September 26, 2026. It'll be near the planet Saturn. The post The September full Moon is the Harvest Moon near Saturn first appeared on EarthSky.
The Artemis Accords are rules for a new moon era
The Artemis Accords are a set of guidelines for peaceful space exploration. But questions remain about who makes the rules and controls space resources. The post The Artemis Accords are rules for a new moon era first appeared on EarthSky.
Neptune at opposition on September 26, 2026
Neptune at opposition -- when it's opposite the sun on the sky's dome -- comes on September 26, 2026. You'll need optical aid to spot it. The post Neptune at opposition on September 26, 2026 first appeared on EarthSky.
Is there enough water on the moon for future cities?
Is there enough water on the moon for future cities? New estimates say there could be enough for smaller villages or towns, but not larger metropolises. The post Is there enough water on the moon for future cities? first appeared on EarthSky.
Seeing Saturn’s rings: Top tips for beginners
If you want to see Saturn's rings, late September and early October 2026 is a great time to look. Grab a telescope and read the tips found here! The post Seeing Saturn’s rings: Top tips for beginners first appeared on EarthSky.
The red planet shows strange swirls of purple and pink
Mars Express captured this view of the red planet showing it in less familiar purple, pink and blue shades. Read why the red planet looks purplish. The post The red planet shows strange swirls of purple and pink first appeared on EarthSky.
Curiosity rover insights after 5000+ sols on Mars
Curiosity rover has now spent 5,000 sols — the equivalent to 5,000 Martian days, or more than 14 years — on Mars. Here's a look at some of its discoveries. The post Curiosity rover insights after 5000+ sols on Mars first appeared on EarthSky.
Full moon names by the month and by the season
Lists of common full moon names — both by month and by season — for North America. And a word about full moon names in the Southern Hemisphere. The post Full moon names by the month and by the season first appeared on EarthSky.
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