You searched for "comet"

25 comet astronomy news items found

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...

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 ...

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...

What was the Star of Bethlehem

As we consider the Star of Bethlehem one of the most endearing and yet mysterious aspects of the Christmas story. I say mysterious because it is only mentioned in one of the four New Testament Gospels, the Gospel of Matthew, and even there, it occupies a mere 8 verses, providing tantalizingly few clues as to its nature. That has not stopped people from speculating on wh...

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...

Interstellar Comet 3I ATLAS observed by NASA as it approaches Mars

A rare celestial visitor from beyond the solar system is offering scientists a brief opportunity to study material that formed around another star. Known as Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS, the object is only the third confirmed interstellar body to pass through our solar system. Discovered in July 2025, it is now being tracked by NASA’s fleet of space-based and groun...

PiFinder software updates to new version

The PiFinder project has introduced a major upgrade to its open-source astronomical navigation software, releasing a new version that refines accuracy, performance, and overall usability. Built on contributions from its active community, this update continues PiFinder’s mission of providing a precise, independent, and fully open system for telescope users who pref...

2025 Tele Vue product anniversaries

Tele Vue products are so expertly designed and finely crafted that they only replace them with new models when they can make a meaningful improvement in performance. Therefore, many products that find their way into our customer’s hands have an ancestry dating back decades. Here they list some anniversaries for products that are still on the market today. 2025 ...

2025 Astrophotography Prize

The 2025 Astrophotography Prize is set to take place over two days, September 13 and 14, 2025. This event invites astrophotographers worldwide to submit their best images for a chance to win part of a $12,000 USD prize pool. It brings together amateurs and experienced photographers, creating a space where images of the night sky can be celebrated, evaluated, and rewarde...

ZWO Astronomy photographer of the year 2025

The shortlist for the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 competition has been unveiled. From a blood moon hanging over Shanghai to a family portrait of the Solar System and a close-up of a comet's streaming tails, distant astronomical wonders are photographed in magnificent detail for all to admire. Now in its 17th year, in 2025 the competition received a r...

IDAS Dusk to Dawn filter

The IDAS DTD, officially known as the Dusk to Dawn filter, represents a unique approach to astrophotography filtering. Unlike many filters that specialize in narrowband isolation or broadband light suppression, this multi-bandpass filter offers a hybrid experience that caters to a wide variety of celestial targets. From comets and emission nebulae to galaxies and the Mi...

All Sky Map

Sky charts have always been a cornerstone of amateur and professional astronomy. From books like Turn Left at Orion to iconic maps by Wil Tirion, they provide orientation and inspiration under the stars. Continuing in that tradition but innovating for real-world usability, Steve Berardi has released the All Sky Map, a rugged, full-sky reference chart designed to be take...

NASA testing AI to make satellites smarter

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California is testing a new artificial intelligence-driven technology known as Dynamic Targeting, which enables satellites to autonomously decide where to focus their scientific observations in real time. This innovation allows spacecraft to analyze their surroundings and respond within seconds, significantly impr...

Deep Sky Dad talks scopes, tech, and the future of astrophotography

We recently caught up with Pavle Gartner—aka DeepSkyDad—the tech-savvy astro gear guru who’s turning stargazing into a full-time gig. In this down-to-earth Q&A, Pavle dishes on everything from backyard stargazing with his brothers to building slick, motorized magic for your rig. He shares how his love of the night sky and a knack for coding fused i...

10Micron GM1000 HPS EP mount arrives

The 10Micron GM1000HPS Enhanced Performance (EP) Equatorial Mount is the latest advancement from 10Micron, a brand that needs no introduction, and is renowned for its precision-engineered astrophotography equipment. Available now, the GM1000HPS EP is not just a minor revision but a meaningful upgrade, aimed at astrophotographers and observatory users who demand increase...

Adirondack Astronomy Retreat 2025

The 2025 David H. Levy Adirondack Astronomy Retreat will take place from July 20 to July 27, 2025, in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. This annual event brings together amateur and professional astronomers for a week of dark-sky observing, shared learning, and time outdoors. Founded by David and Wendee Levy, the retreat offers attendees the chance to observe under ...

What is a Linear Image anyway: A PixInsight overview

Behind that magic of editing astrophotography data is a world of technical know-how that many beginners (and even seasoned imagers) rarely explore deeply. That’s why the latest video series from PixInsight feels like a good refresher - it’s not just another tutorial on pushing buttons, but a really nice guide into the very heart of how light, numbers, and so...

PiFinder update restores Comets menu and equipment deletion crashes

PiFinder version 2.2.1 has been released, and while it's a small update, it fixes a couple of specific issues that were affecting some users. The biggest fix is the return of the Comets menu item, which had gone missing under the “Objects” section. That’s now back in place. This update also fixes several crash scenarios tied to the newer equipment ...

Astrophotography is expensive

I first pointed a telescope at the night sky in 1986, a wide-eyed kid with a Tasco 60mm refractor and my parents’ 35mm film camera. I had no idea what I was doing. The telescope was a humble department-store model on a wobbly tripod, and the camera was loaded with ISO 400 film that I’d push to its limits. Yet, under a crisp night sky, with Halley’...

How Noctourism is redefining nighttime travel experiences

Noctourism, a term that has recently gained momentum, represents a growing fascination with exploring the world after dark. While traditional tourism has long focused on daytime activities—city tours, museum visits, beach lounging—the concept of noctourism challenges that norm by embracing the unique experiences that only the night can offer. This trend is n...

May 2025 astronomy events

As the days grow longer and the air warmer across North America, May 2025 brings a rich tapestry of celestial phenomena for astronomers and seasoned astrophotographers. From planetary alignments and meteor showers to deep-sky marvels in optimal conditions, this month offers both spectacle and opportunity for those with advanced telescope equipment and imaging setups. Pi...

PiFinder software update

The PiFinder project has steadily evolved throughout early 2025, culminating in a significant new release, version 2.2.0, which introduces major improvements to GPS functionality and numerous enhancements to user experience, system reliability, and interface design. This update, alongside a few earlier incremental versions, marks a steady evolution of the PiFinder into ...

Apertura 75Q review

Everyone is chasing aperture with big telescopes, but it’s often forgotten that something smaller, with well-corrected optics, can serve many needs both visually and photographically. The Apertura 75Q is a perfect example of this, offering a compact, high-quality refractor that delivers sharp, wide-field views without the bulk of larger scopes. Its well-...

Star Gazers: Finding Joy in the Night Sky

David H. Levy, a distinguished amateur astronomer and author, has dedicated over six decades to exploring the night sky. His passion for astronomy was ignited by a single streak of light, a meteor, that he observed more than sixty years ago. This profound experience set him on a path of celestial discovery, leading to the co-discovery of twenty-three comets, most notabl...

PUNCH to launch with Tele Vue optical lenses

On Sunday, March 2, 2025, the night sky over California’s south-central coast will be illuminated by the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Along with a small near-infrared observatory named SPHEREx, the NASA payload will include the PUNCH mission, which contains three Tele Vue Optical Lens Assemblies. Tele Vue was honored to be chosen f...

Found in the Forums