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25 program 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...

MOTHRA telescope 1,140-lenses to map the cosmic web

A new astronomical instrument is being developed to capture the faint glow of the cosmic web with a scale and simplicity that set it apart. Built as an array of 1,140 individual objective lenses working together, the system trades a single large mirror for many smaller optics, enabling exceptional sensitivity to low surface brightness structures across a wide field of v...

The Universe, Live: Rubin Observatory Flips the Switch on Real-Time Space Monitoring

The NSF DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory has turned on a new capability for astronomy by issuing its first stream of scientific alerts that report what is changing across the night sky. This is the start of a real time discovery service at observatory scale. NSF DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory launches real-time discovery machine for monitoring the night sky. In an initial h...

ASCOM Platform 7.1 Update 2 Released

The ASCOM community announces an update to the widely adopted interoperability platform that connects astronomy software with a broad range of observatory devices. ASCOM Platform 7.1 Update 2 expands the platform’s reputation for stability and compatibility, bringing refinements that help imagers, visual observers, and research teams run sessions with greater conf...

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...

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...

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 ...

JTW special offer for introducing the Trident GT

The JTW Astronomy workshop has unveiled a new pricing and customization program for its Trident GT telescope mount, part of the company’s well-known Trident series. Designed for astrophotographers who demand both precision and affordability, the latest offer makes it easier for users to configure a mount that fits their technical needs and budget, while maintainin...

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...

43rd annual Deep South Star Gaze event

The Deep South Star Gaze, one of the oldest continuous star parties in the United States, is preparing for its 43rd consecutive gathering. Since its first event in 1983, the star gaze has brought together amateur astronomers and enthusiasts for a week of dark skies, shared observations, and community. It has not missed a year, making it the nation’s longest-runnin...

JMI focuser now supports Pegasus FocusCube 3

JMI has expanded compatibility for its Crayford-style electronic focuser by adding direct support for the Pegasus FocusCube 3. The integration allows users to attach the FocusCube directly to the JMI focuser using the brackets, screws, and couplers included with the FocusCube 3 package. This approach eliminates the need for extra adapters and simplifies setup for astron...

Night Sky Festival 2025 event details

The Night Sky Festival is an annual celebration at Joshua Tree National Park organized by Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center (STL) in partnership with the Joshua Tree National Park Association. The event raises funds for both nonprofits and provides an opportunity for the public to experience astronomy, natural science, and desert culture through lectur...

Under One Sky 2025 DarkSky event details

Under One Sky 2025 is DarkSky International’s annual global conference focused on light pollution, night sky preservation, and the impact of artificial lighting on ecosystems and human health. The event will take place virtually over 24 continuous hours on November 7–8, providing access to participants across time zones. Structured around regional session...

Unistellar anniversary promotion 10 percent off telescopes

Unistellar telescopes is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a global promotion offering 10 percent off its smart telescope lineup. The milestone reflects a decade of innovation in augmented optics, as well as the development of citizen science programs in partnership with NASA and the SETI Institute. Founded in Marseille in 2015, Unistellar has grown into a compan...

The end of servocat

BRC Astro, LLC, which acquired the ServoCAT product line from RXDesign in 2023, has announced the winding down of its support and sales operations. Beginning October 1, 2025, the company will no longer accept support or repair requests for ServoCAT units outside of warranty, directing customers instead to the Groups.IO message board for community-based assistance. One m...

Astro image processing software update Tria Image Pro 4 released

Quarktet has announced the release of Tria Image Pro Version 4.0, the latest iteration of its image processing and analysis software. Known for its robust set of tools and unique blind deconvolution technology, Tria continues to carve out a niche for both professional and amateur users working with complex image data. The new version builds on a long history of enhancem...

WR 102 image by Richard Harris displayed at the INTUITIVE Planetarium

Richard Harris, ScopeTrader founder and editor, astrophotographer, and operator of the Ozark Hills Observatory, has earned a unique honor in the astronomical community. Recently, the INTUITIVE Planetarium at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama — home to the world-famous Space Camp — invited Harris to present one of his as...

Under One Sky 2025 information and registration

Under One Sky is a 24-hour virtual conference hosted by DarkSky, the organization leading the fight against light pollution worldwide. The event brings together advocates, scientists, students, and people who care about preserving dark skies. Taking place entirely online, it follows the path of night across the globe, linking people from many time zones into one continu...

Stellarvue SVX152T Apo triplet refractor

The Stellarvue SVX152T is a 6-inch apochromatic triplet refractor telescope designed for both visual observing and astrophotography. Built around a precision 152 mm objective lens, the SVX152T is the result of years of refinement at Stellarvue. It's hand-figured and tested using interferometry to achieve a Strehl ratio of .97 to .98 in red light, making it one of th...

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 ...

Gemini North telescope reveals Betelgeuse companion

Astronomers have discovered a companion star in an incredibly tight orbit around Betelgeuse using the NASA and U.S. National Science Foundation-funded ‘Alopeke instrument on Gemini North, one half of the International Gemini Observatory, partly funded by the NSF and operated by NSF NOIRLab. This discovery answers the longstanding mystery of the star’s varyin...

Open source software from NASA released

NASA recently released its latest open Software Catalog, featuring over 1,200 downloadable software codes developed by agency engineers. These tools are designed to accelerate solutions that support the space economy and stimulate innovation across industries. The catalog is part of NASA’s broader effort to place advanced technologies — including software, i...

Grand Canyon Astronomer in residence: Call for proposals

The Grand Canyon Astronomy Residence Program offers a unique opportunity for astronomy professionals, educators, and night sky enthusiasts to live and work at Grand Canyon National Park. Located on the South Rim in Arizona, the program invites selected residents to engage the public through astronomy-based programs while promoting education, conservation, and appreciati...

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 ...