Science ❯ Astronomy ❯ Observation Techniques

Viewing Conditions

Light Pollution Night Sky Observation Dark Sky Locations Binoculars and Telescopes Binoculars Best Practices for Stargazing Equipment Recommendations Best Practices Best Practices for Comet Observation Naked Eye Observation

13 ARTICLES

2w ago

Blue Micromoon to Peak on May 31

Coinciding with lunar apogee the month's second full moon will appear slightly smaller and dimmer, clarifying that 'Blue Moon' refers to timing rather than color.

9 ARTICLES

4w ago

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

5 ARTICLES

last mo.

Four-Planet Dawn Lineup Peaks Saturday With Mercury, Mars, Saturn and Neptune

7 ARTICLES

2mo ago

Rare Comet Pan‑STARRS Now Glows Before Dawn for a Short Northern Viewing Window

6 ARTICLES

2mo ago

Comet PANSTARRS Now Visible in Germany’s Pre‑Dawn Sky as Viewing Window Closes

14 ARTICLES

3mo ago

Six-Planet Parade Visible After Sunset on Feb. 28

8 ARTICLES

3mo ago

Six-Planet Parade Peaks Feb. 28 After Sunset: When, Where and How to Watch

5 ARTICLES

4mo ago

Six-Planet Evening Alignment Will Peak on February 28

9 ARTICLES

5mo ago

Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peaks Under Bright Supermoon

4 ARTICLES

5mo ago

Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend as Supermoon Cuts Visible Rates

20 ARTICLES

6mo ago

Geminids Peak Overnight Dec. 13–14 With Dark Skies Boosting Views

11 ARTICLES

6mo ago

Geminids Peak This Weekend Under Darker Skies, With Forecasts of 120–150 Meteors Per Hour

18 ARTICLES

6mo ago

Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks Dec. 13–14 Under Moon-Friendly Skies

5 ARTICLES

6mo ago

Leonids Peak Before Dawn With Best Views Early Nov. 18

8 ARTICLES

6mo ago

Leonids Peak Sunday Night Into Monday With Dark Skies

15 ARTICLES

7mo ago

Comet Lemmon Enters Peak Viewing Window for Naked‑Eye Spectacle Oct. 25–31

Viewing Conditions

Blue Micromoon to Peak on May 31

NASA-Backed Maps Fix 2027 Total Solar Eclipse With Rare 6-Minute Totality

Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower Peaks May 5–6 Under Bright Moonlight

Venus Brushes Uranus a Day After Moon-Jupiter Show

Lyrids Peak Overnight Across Latin America With Best Viewing Before Dawn

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

Four-Planet Dawn Lineup Peaks Saturday With Mercury, Mars, Saturn and Neptune

Rare Comet Pan‑STARRS Now Glows Before Dawn for a Short Northern Viewing Window

Comet PANSTARRS Now Visible in Germany’s Pre‑Dawn Sky as Viewing Window Closes

Six-Planet Parade Visible After Sunset on Feb. 28

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Viewing Conditions

Six-Planet Parade Peaks Feb. 28 After Sunset: When, Where and How to Watch

Six-Planet Evening Alignment Will Peak on February 28

Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peaks Under Bright Supermoon

Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend as Supermoon Cuts Visible Rates

Geminids Peak Overnight Dec. 13–14 With Dark Skies Boosting Views

Geminids Peak This Weekend Under Darker Skies, With Forecasts of 120–150 Meteors Per Hour

Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks Dec. 13–14 Under Moon-Friendly Skies

Leonids Peak Before Dawn With Best Views Early Nov. 18

Leonids Peak Sunday Night Into Monday With Dark Skies

Comet Lemmon Enters Peak Viewing Window for Naked‑Eye Spectacle Oct. 25–31

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Viewing Conditions