All articles tagged with #stargazing
The peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower occurs overnight, but the bright full moon may overshadow the display, making only the brightest meteors visible, especially from northern latitudes.
Image-stabilized binoculars significantly enhance stargazing by providing shake-free views, making them ideal for observing deep space objects, wildlife, and for travelers. They are especially useful for beginners and those without telescopes, though they tend to be more expensive and heavier due to their stabilization systems. High-quality models from brands like Canon, Fujifilm, and Nikon offer varying degrees of stabilization and magnification, catering to different needs and budgets.
Winter is an ideal season for binocular stargazing in the Northern Hemisphere, offering spectacular sights such as Sirius with its rainbow colors, Jupiter at opposition with its moons, the first quarter moon with shadows, the Owl Cluster in Cassiopeia, a supermoon rise, star clusters in Auriga, the winter Milky Way, Caroline’s Rose, Earthshine on the moon, and more, all visible with good binoculars and clear, dark skies from November 2025 to January 2026.
The Ursid meteor shower peaks overnight on December 21-22, 2025, coinciding with the winter solstice, offering a great opportunity for stargazing under dark skies, especially before dawn on December 22 when the radiant point is highest in the northern sky. The shower, caused by debris from Comet 8P/Tuttle, usually produces 5-10 meteors per hour but can have outbursts exceeding 25, with historical peaks of 100 meteors per hour.
A remote telescope farm in Texas, created by amateur astronomer Bray Falls, allows global customers to control telescopes remotely and observe the night sky despite increasing light pollution, helping to preserve the wonder of stargazing and facilitate space discoveries.
This week features the peak of the Beaver moon, a supermoon, and the Taurid meteor shower, offering prime opportunities for stargazing. The Beaver moon, the second of three supermoons this year, will be at its closest approach to Earth, appearing larger and brighter. The Taurid meteor shower, known for fireballs, peaks early on November 5th, but visibility may be affected by the full moon. Best viewing spots are dark, open areas away from city lights, with the moon visible in the eastern sky.
This article provides a guide for observing Comet Lemmon and Comet SWAN on October 29, 2025, highlighting the best viewing times and locations, and noting that the moonlight will make viewing more challenging. It also offers tips on how to find these comets using binoculars and star charts, emphasizing their positions in the sky relative to well-known stars.
On October 26, 2025, viewers have their last chance in over a millennium to see Comet Lemmon and Comet SWAN with binoculars shortly after sunset, as they move away from Earth and dim. Comet Lemmon appears in the northwest near Arcturus, while Comet SWAN is visible in the south near the Summer Triangle, with optimal viewing about 90 minutes after sunset.
This weekend is the last chance to see Comet Lemmon and Comet SWAN before they fade in the brightening moonlight, with optimal viewing on Saturday night about 90 minutes after sunset using binoculars or a telescope, in the northwest and southwest sky respectively.
The 2025 Orionids meteor shower peaks on the night of October 21-22, coinciding with a New Moon, making it an ideal time for stargazing. Under optimal conditions, viewers could see 10-20 meteors per hour, especially after midnight, from dark, clear skies away from light pollution. The meteors originate from debris left by Halley's Comet and appear to radiate from the constellation Orion. To enjoy the show, find a dark, safe spot, allow your eyes to adjust to the dark, and be patient.
The October 2025 new moon will coincide with the peak of the Orionid meteor shower and will occult the red star Antares for observers in South America and the Falklands, offering a rare celestial event alongside visible planets like Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus.
Tuesday night marks the peak of the Orionid meteor shower, with the best viewing conditions after midnight before dawn, especially since the moon won't interfere, making it an ideal night for stargazing and possibly spotting meteors and Comet Lemmon.
South Carolinians have a rare opportunity to see the green Comet Lemmon, visible in the night sky on October 21-22 for the first time in 1,350 years, along with other celestial events like the Orionids meteor shower and the Andromeda Galaxy, with tips for optimal viewing away from city lights.
The Orionid meteor shower, originating from Halley's Comet, will be visible over Los Angeles next week, with peak viewing on Monday and Tuesday due to a new moon. Best viewing spots include Malibu Creek State Park, Topanga State Park, Angeles Crest Highway, Anza-Borrego State Park, and Joshua Tree National Park, with the most meteors visible away from light pollution. Patience is key, as the shower can produce 10 to 20 meteors per hour.
On October 19, 2025, Comet Lemmon and Comet SWAN will be visible in the night sky, with Lemmon visible before dawn and after sunset, and SWAN visible after sunset in binoculars, offering a rare opportunity for stargazers to observe these comets with the help of finder charts and dark sky locations.