Science ❯ Astronomy ❯ Observation Techniques

Stargazing

Viewing Conditions Visibility Conditions Light Pollution Meteor Observation Best Practices Meteor Watching Binoculars and Telescopes Telescope Use Binoculars Equipment

Mars and Uranus Form an Unusually Close Predawn Pairing on July 4

This optical appulse will let observers use bright Mars as a guide to find the faint ice giant Uranus before sunrise.

Lyrids Meteor Shower Nears Peak Over France With Favorable Skies

Comet Pan‑STARRS Reaches Perihelion Sunday, Closing a Brief Pre‑Dawn Viewing Window

Six-Planet Alignment Visible Tonight Across U.S. and Mexico

Potential 'Great Comet of 2026' Set for April 20 Sun Flyby and April 27 Earth Approach

Quadrantids Peak Tonight in a Short Burst, Muted by a Full Moon

Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peaks Under Bright Supermoon

Ursid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight Into Early Monday Under New-Moon, Solstice Skies

Ursid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight With Best Viewing Before Dawn

Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks Dec. 13–14 With Dark Skies and Up to 150 Meteors an Hour

Geminids Set to Peak Dec. 13–14 With Favorable Dark Skies

New Moon Early Nov. 20 to Bring November’s Darkest Night

Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks Predawn Nov. 17 Under Dark, Moonlight-Free Skies

Orionids Peak Lights Up Brazil’s Night Sky Under Favorable New Moon

Twin Comets Lemmon and SWAN Light Up Northern Skies as Brief Viewing Window Peaks

Comet Lemmon Reaches Peak Visibility, A Bright Binocular Target in the Evening Sky

Comet Lemmon Makes Closest Approach Oct. 20–21 With Prime Viewing Under New Moon

Twin Green Comets Enter Prime Viewing Week Before Closest Approaches

Draconid Meteor Shower Peaks Wednesday With Best Views After Dusk in Northern Skies

October Meteor Showers: Draconids Peak Oct. 8 Under Bright Moon, Orionids Favor New-Moon Peak Oct. 21–22