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25 amateur astronomy news items found

Back to the Moon

I never get tired of the Moon. Not because it is mysterious or because it needs a story to make it worth looking at. I get tired of plenty of things. The Moon is not one of them. If you have ever pointed a telescope at the terminator line and watched craters snap into contrast, you already know what I mean. The Moon is close enough to be personal and detailed enough ...

The Al Nagler Saturnday interview with Eli Goldfine

Editor’s Note: Albert “Al” Nagler, founder of Tele Vue Optics and one of the most beloved figures in amateur astronomy, passed away on October 27, 2025, at the age of 90, fittingly with a telescope in hand. For more than half a century, Al’s innovations transformed backyard observing, from the immersive Nagler eyepiece to the finely crafted refr...

Turning discarded astrophotography data into discoveries with SpacePixels

As astrophotographers, we spend so much time using rejection algorithms during stacking to perfectly erase anything that moves across our frames. But I started thinking about all the dynamic data we are throwing away, like faint asteroids, satellites, comets, streaks and other slow moving objects that happen to drift through our target fields. It turns out those so call...

Astrophoto processing: when you've gone too far

I have two truths rattling around in my head every time I sit down to process a deep sky target. The first is that we are standing on a pile of new tools that really do make this hobby easier. The second is that the same tools can quietly move us from astrophotography into something closer to digital illustration if we do not keep a hand on the wheel. "Should th...

How to use a telescope

So you’ve just unboxed your brand-new telescope. Maybe it’s a sleek refractor, a sturdy Dobsonian, or one of those smart telescopes that runs on an app. Now you’re standing there asking what just about everyone asks the first time they look at a telescope and think seriously about using it - what now? Telescopes come in all kinds - big ones, small o...

Video of 3I ATLAS comet is more than amazing

The title captures a feeling many viewers share when they see the object glide against a star field, its path traced by simple persistence and good planning. The video by DudeLovesSpace on YouTube, does not shout. It shows. Frame by frame, you watch an object from beyond our solar system move in a way that star maps cannot quite prepare you for. The subtle shift of the ...

The astronomical observatories in Chile

High in the Chilean Andes, beneath some of the darkest skies on Earth, world-leading observatories are reshaping our understanding of the universe - each in their own unique way. I had the amazing opportunity travel to Chile as an ACEAP Ambassador. The Astronomical Observatories in Chile (above) The Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassador Program (ACEAP) is a colla...

Vaonis Hyperia telescope re-launches with a $99,000 starting price tag

Vaonis just announced Hyperia, positioned as an all-in-one "smart observatory" aimed more at institutions/outreach than typical consumer smart telescopes. As the smart telescope war heats up, with ZWO pretty clearly leading the charge on pure value proposition, Vaonis has stepped forward with an insanely priced “smart” telescope they're posi...

Texas Star Party 2026

Registration for the 2026 Texas Star Party is open, and if you have been waiting for a clean excuse to get your gear under genuinely dark skies, this is it. Texas Star Party 2026 runs May 10 through May 17, 2026 at Prude Ranch in Fort Davis, Texas, and you can register at texasstarparty.org while picking lodging and add on options. I have watched a lot of events over...

Planet and moon image stacking gets easier with LuckyStackWorker 7

LuckyStackWorker - a free, open-source desktop application for astrophotographers that automates the post-processing (sharpening, denoising) of stacked solar system images (planets, Moon, Sun) captured with techniques like lucky imaging, has updated to a new release of version 7.0.0. The application has taken a noticeable step forward, not by reinventing planetary workf...

Astrobiscuit: The nerd who made the universe fun

In 2017, Rory Griffin—better known as Astrobiscuit—asked his wife for a telescope. She rolled her eyes. “It’ll just gather dust,” she said. But the first night he pointed that Sky-Watcher Mak 90 into the London sky, Jupiter floated into view. Its moons lined up like tiny pearls, and Rory was hooked. Suddenly, astrophotography wasn’t j...

Astrophotography burnout

Astrophotography Burnout is something many beginners (and even seasoned astrophotographers) encounter at some point. One night you're full of excitement, marveling at the galaxies and nebulae appearing on your laptop screen. The next, you're dreading another tedious battle with your equipment or feeling disappointed by a lackluster image. I've been ther...

Yuri Petrunin: The man behind TEC Telescopes

When you sit down with Yuri Petrunin, founder of Telescope Engineering Company, the first thing you notice is his strong Russian accent. The second is how little he seems to care whether or not you’re impressed by it. He speaks modestly, carefully, and without pretense. He’s not trying to sell you something. He’s just telling you what he knows. And wha...

Five lies about smart telescopes

In a recent article I wrote, published on the ZWO website, I take a hard, honest look at some of the most persistent myths surrounding smart telescopes - and why those myths no longer hold up. It's a piece I believe anyone interested in modern astronomy should read, whether you're just starting out or you've been under the stars for decades. Not because it&#...

DeepSkyStacker new release focuses on field reliability

Ahh - free astronomy software, yes please! While many of us comfortably settle into our subscriptions to Photoshop, PixInsight, TheSkyX, or whatever tool fills that slot in your workflow, it’s genuinely refreshing to see software like DeepSkyStacker remain free. In a hobby where costs have a habit of creeping ever upward, it helps keep the price of ...

ZWO EFW new design for 2026 just arrived

ZWO has released a refresh of its staple electronic filter wheel. At first glance it looks much like the version many astrophotographers already use, which appears to be the intention. Most people are not looking for new habits when a clear night finally arrives. What does stand out is a sturdier body, a more enclosed filter cell, and a shift to USB C. These updates set...

The startup bringing space telescopes to everyone

What if you could schedule your own cosmic observation from space - no clouds, no light pollution, no billion-dollar budget? In a world where most CubeSats stare hungrily back at Earth, a small team is flipping the narrative. Bueche Labs, driven by startup veterans with a restless love for the stars, is on a mission to point affordable telescopes outward, opening the...

ASI585MM Air, ASI4400MC Pro and Seestar Binoculars arrive

ZWO has gone and done it again. Just when you think the landscape of astrophotography gear has settled for a moment, they roll in and break down a few more barriers. This time they are coming at us from every angle. On one side a new full frame camera for deep sky imagers who want to stretch their field of view as far as their optics will allow. On another side an ultra...

Telescope Deals Black Friday 2025

This year's astronomy listings bring a wide range of equipment into the Black Friday cycle, with several manufacturers offering targeted reductions across telescopes, smart imaging devices, cameras, and accessories. Rather than focusing on dramatic markdowns, these collections lean toward practical, equipment-focused savings that give buyers the opportunity to upgra...

Scope Nights updates to 2.6 giving stargazers a faster app

Scope Nights version 2.6 introduces a set of improvements intended to make the stargazing planning experience faster, smoother, and more reliable across iPhones and iPads. The update is available at no cost and brings the app into full compatibility with iOS 26 and current Apple mobile hardware. The developer notes that a considerable portion of the internal logic and i...

OMI Astro remote telescopes are ready for new astrophotography season

OMI Astro remote telescopes offer astronomers and astrophotography enthusiasts the opportunity to conduct imaging sessions using professional-grade telescopes without traveling to observatories. The service provides users with online access to equipment located in optimal viewing locations, allowing for clear and precise celestial observations. Accessing profession...

APM Telescopes introduces new products in Germany

The German optics manufacturer APM Telescopes has introduced a series of new products for its German market, covering refractors, astrographs and binoculars. The move reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to broaden its portfolio in precision astronomy and astrophotography equipment. Above photo credit: APM Telescopes New refractor models broaden the range ...

Pleiades star cluster meets Supermoon in the night sky

You can observe a unique celestial pairing as the Pleiades star cluster aligns closely with the full Moon, commonly referred to as a supermoon. This alignment offers a distinctive visual contrast between the bright lunar surface and the faint blue stars of the cluster. The event provides a natural opportunity for both amateur and professional astronomers to observe and ...

SVBONY SV520 telescope review: A 90mm beginner scope that works

I’ve spent years peering through all kinds of telescopes, from inexpensive bargain-bin refractors to heftier setups costing well into the tens of thousands. When I got my hands on the SVBONY SV520, which is a 90mm aperture, 800mm focal length refractor bundled with an alt-az mount and a slew of accessories - I approached it with cautious optimism. This is a telesc...

Tom Osypowski: Mastering dobsonian tracking hardware for stargazers

Tom Osypowski has significantly impacted the world of Dobsonian telescope tracking through his innovative Equatorial Platforms. In his journey from building his first platform in 1984 to developing cutting-edge designs today, Osypowski has transformed how Dobsonian telescopes are used for both visual observation and astrophotography. His story is not just about crafting...

Found in the Marketplace

Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club

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1954	--	--	--

The Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club is a group of like-minded astronomy enthusiasts who appreciate and observe the wonders of our universe. View more about Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club

Ames Area Amateur Astronomers AAAA

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The Ames Area Amateur Astronomers (AAAA) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 educational organization whose goals are to inform and excite people about the wonders of the night sky. View more about Ames Area Amateur Astronomers AAAA

Skyscrapers, Inc. Amateur Astronomical Society of Rhode Island

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Skyscrapers, Inc. View more about Skyscrapers, Inc. Amateur Astronomical Society of Rhode Island

Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society LVAAS

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1957	--	--	--

Founded in 1957, the Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society (LVAAS) is one of the oldest continuously-operating amateur astronomy organizations in the U. View more about Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society LVAAS