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Follow the Big Dipper to Arcturus This Spring Night
12 days ago•Source: Space
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Moon and Jupiter Light Up Gemini Tonight
Tonight, March 26, 2026, the night sky features a 57%-illuminated Moon near Jupiter in Gemini after dark, with Sirius below and Castor and Pollux nearby—an accessible, binocular-friendly skywatching highlight.
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Nearly 70 Hours Unveil Orion’s Delicate Blue Reflection Nebula
Astrophotographer Emil Andronic spent 69 hours 15 minutes gathering HaLRGB data from the UK to photograph the blue Cederblad 51 reflection nebula near Orion’s head, revealing intricate dust structures amid the surrounding red emission. Using two 8-inch telescopes with RGB and H-alpha filters and cooled cameras, he stacked and processed the data with PixInsight and Adobe Photoshop to produce a detailed image of the nebula and its stellar backdrop.
Spring galaxy parade lights up northern skies for backyard astronomers
Spring skies reveal a lineup of galaxies visible from the northern hemisphere, including the Leo Triplet and bright targets like the Sombrero and Whirlpool galaxies. The piece guides readers on star-hopping to locate these faint objects in regions such as Leo, Virgo, and Canes Venatici, and notes that a telescope (6 inches or more) or large binoculars is typically needed for rewarding views under dark skies.
Nine U.S. States Could See the Northern Lights Tonight
Space.com reports that a fast solar wind is expected to sweep past Earth tonight (March 13), potentially triggering a minor geomagnetic storm and making the northern lights visible across nine U.S. states (Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Idaho, Washington, and Maine) if skies are clear. Best viewing is tonight into Saturday, with auroras possibly reaching farther south if conditions strengthen, per NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.
Weekend Stargazing: Lynx, a Delicate Moon, and the Summer Triangle
This weekend’s night-sky highlights include Friday’s Lynx constellation with Jupiter nearby, Saturday’s pre-dawn view of a 22% crescent Moon beneath the Summer Triangle (Deneb, Vega, Altair), and Sunday’s pre-dawn sighting of a 14% crescent Moon showing Earthshine, with Mercury coming into view the following week.
Last Quarter Moon Sets the Stage for Moonless Skies on March 11
March 11 features the Moon at its last quarter, rising around 3 a.m. for U.S. observers, yielding dark, moonless evenings ideal for stargazing for the next week. The guide also flags an upcoming pre-dawn view of the Winter Milky Way on March 12 and notes that auroral activity may be more likely as nights stay dark into mid‑March.
Predawn Moon Dances Close to Antares in March Sky
A waning gibbous Moon (about 60% lit) will pass within roughly one degree of the bright star Antares in Scorpius in the predawn sky, offering a close conjunction for skywatchers in North America before sunrise.
Twilight Duet: Venus and Saturn Align in the Western Sky This Weekend
This weekend (March 6–8) features a twilight conjunction as Venus passes Saturn in the western evening sky, with the closest approach about one degree on March 7. Look roughly 45 minutes after sunset to the west to see the pair, and there’s a second conjunction on March 8 as Venus rises above Saturn. A telescope or binoculars helps, but the duo can be spotted with the naked eye in dark skies. The guide also notes the zodiacal light may be visible after sunset at dark sites over the next couple of weeks.
Crimson Moon Across Continents: Stunning Global Photos of the 2026 Total Lunar Eclipse
The March 3, 2026 total lunar eclipse produced a dramatic blood-red Moon visible across the Americas, Asia and Oceania as Earth’s shadow swept across the lunar disk. Space photographers worldwide captured a sprawling gallery of partial and total phases, from orange-red eclipses over city skylines to turquoise-lit edges and cloud gaps, illustrating the science of how the Moon turns red during totality and offering a global visual record of the event. The piece also points to upcoming eclipses later in the year, including a solar eclipse on Aug. 12.
First Glimpses of the 2026 Blood Moon as Total Lunar Eclipse Ends
Space.com reports that the March 3, 2026 total lunar eclipse produced dramatic blood-moon visuals with totality ending but partial phases continuing, as photographers across North America, Oceania, and the Philippines captured stunning images. The article notes the Worm Moon name for March, encourages readers to follow the live blog and streams for real-time milestones, and reminds that this is the last total lunar eclipse visible over North America until 2028.
Worm Moon Goes Blood Red During March 3, 2026 Lunar Eclipse
On March 3, 2026, the full Moon—the Worm Moon—will pass through Earth’s shadow, turning coppery-red for about 58 minutes during a total lunar eclipse. The event lasts from 08:44 to 14:22 UTC, with totality from 11:04 to 12:02 UTC, and will be visible across western North America and parts of Europe, the Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and east Asia (Europe won’t see it). No eye protection is needed to view the eclipse itself, though a clear sky helps. The piece also notes a pre-eclipse moon-Regulus close approach on March 2 and links to live blogs and viewing tips; this will be the last total lunar eclipse visible in North America until 2029.