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25 astronomer astronomy news items found

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...

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...

Astro Weather Station by Astro-Smart launches

Astro Smart has announced the introduction of a purpose built meteorological monitor designed for backyard observers and small observatories. The product combines environmental sensing with software interfaces that support automation and remote alerting. It is intended to give astronomers continuous reliable readings to help protect instruments and to make scheduling ob...

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...

AM7 mount from ZWO

Oh, the joys of dragging a heavy rig outside… said no astronomer ever. For years, getting into astrophotography came with an unspoken requirement: you didn't just need patience and curiosity - you also needed to be a bit of a bodybuilder. The moment a newcomer realized that their dream hobby involved hauling around 50-pound equatorial heads and s...

What is a FITS astrophotography file

When I first started out in astrophotography, I remember squinting at a folder of strange .fits files and wondering what on Earth I had gotten myself into. After a long night under the stars with my telescope and camera, these files were the fruits of my labor - yet if you clicked on one, it looked like an almost black, empty image. In spite of their unas...

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...

AstroFiler 1.2 Calibration Automation Update

AstroFiler has quietly built a reputation as a practical utility for astronomers who find themselves managing more data than their original folder structures ever anticipated. As modern capture software and smart telescopes lower the barrier to collecting deep sky data, the challenge increasingly shifts toward organization, verification, and long term preservation. Vers...

Automatic polar alignment for telescopes just got real

Polar alignment is a nuts-and-bolts procedure - an unglamorous but unavoidable step if we want precise tracking of the night sky with our telescopes. There’s nothing particularly elegant or mysterious about it. You’re simply aligning the polar axis (RA) of your mount as accurately as possible with the celestial pole of the planet you’re standing on...E...

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&#...

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...

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...

Collimate your scope with an Aline iPhone iPad method

That dirty little word we all love to hate - collimation. I’ve met plenty of astronomers who never truly learn to collimate their scopes, choosing instead to live with the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) artifacts of misaligned optics. Yet collimation remains one of the most critical steps in squeezing the best possible performance out of a reflecting telesco...

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...

Preorder Dwarf Mini a lightweight powerful smart telescope

The new Dwarf Mini smart telescope from DWARFLAB introduces a compact, lightweight, and feature-rich approach to portable astrophotography. Designed for travelers, backyard observers, and astronomy enthusiasts, it combines imaging, tracking, and on-device processing into a single unit weighing under one kilogram. With a preorder price of $399, the Dwarf Mini aims to mak...

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 ...

Astronomy in November 2025

This month offers a bit of everything: a once-in-a-lifetime interstellar visitor passing through, a brilliant supermoon lighting up the sky, two bright comets fading out after their October glory, planets dancing in interesting ways, and even a couple of meteor showers (plus the promise of the auroras glimmering for those far north). It&rsq...

Honoring Al Nagler in our November 2025 issue

This month's issue bridges the past and future of astronomy with heartfelt stories, exciting product releases, and a celebration of innovation in every corner of the night sky. From a moving farewell to one of the greatest optical minds of our time, to the unveiling of Celestron’s next-generation smart telescope, it's an edition that belongs on every starg...

ASCOM Platform 7.1 released

The ASCOM Platform 7.1 update is another big step forward for backyard astronomers and observatory users alike. It offers smoother performance, wider compatibility with different gear, and better communication between your telescope, camera, and dome. As the platform continues its march toward better support and smarter automation, this release makes it even easier for ...

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...

Daystar Filters Sol 100mm dedicated solar telescope lands

Before I ever owned a real telescope, I was building makeshift ones out of whatever lenses, tubes, and mirrors I could scrounge up. Newton would’ve been proud, or maybe concerned. And solar projection was the only way I could safely look at the Sun back then; anything more sophisticated was completely out of reach. My official astronomy adventure real...

ZuluAlpha remote observatory phase 1 reservation now open

The newly launched ZuluAlpha remote observatory near Sutherland, South Africa, is now accepting reservations for Phase 1 of its remote hosting facility. Built on a high plateau under some of the darkest skies on Earth, the observatory allows astronomers, astrophotographers, and research institutions to operate telescopes and instruments remotely. The site has been desig...

CXB astro imaging filters exclusively at Farpoint

The introduction of CXB Astro Imaging Filters marks a continuation of a well-established tradition in advanced astronomical optics. Distributed exclusively through Farpoint Astro, these narrowband filters are designed for astrophotographers seeking precision and stability in data acquisition. The CXB filters represent the same engineering lineage as the renowned Astrodo...

Cloudy Nights still has major issues after website upgrade

For over two decades, Cloudy Nights has been a bit of a  gathering place for amateur astronomers worldwide, along side Astromart, Astrobin, Stargazers lounge, and others. But recently this popular forum has experienced an unplanned “eclipse” of its own, it went largely dark starting just about a week ago following a major software upgrade. What was supp...

ScopeTrader Users Found

AncientAstronomer Member since 10/17/2005 OFFLINE

SmithLakeAstronomer Member since 5/18/2008 OFFLINE

Moopy_The_Astronomer Member since 9/21/2008 OFFLINE

ASTRONOMER Member since 9/17/2025 OFFLINE

ASTRONOMER 1 Member since 9/17/2025 OFFLINE

urbanastronomer Member since 9/17/2025 OFFLINE

Lindastronomer Member since 10/15/2024 OFFLINE   Last active 3/6/2026 8:23:24 AM

astronomertogo Member since 2/6/2025 OFFLINE

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Southern Maine Astronomers

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SMA is a community. View more about Southern Maine Astronomers

Astronomers Without Borders

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We all share the same sky and Astronomers Without Borders brings the world together to share our passion of astronomy and the wonders of the Universe. View more about Astronomers Without Borders

Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club

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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

Conneticut River Valley Astronomers Conjunction CRVAC

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The annual Astronomers Conjunction astronomy convention held every summer in Northfield, MA. View more about Conneticut River Valley Astronomers Conjunction CRVAC

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