Tag

Telescopes

All articles tagged with #telescopes

April 2026 Stargazing Gear Guide: Cameras, Binoculars, and Telescopes for Lyrids and Comets
space14 days ago

April 2026 Stargazing Gear Guide: Cameras, Binoculars, and Telescopes for Lyrids and Comets

Live Science’s April 2026 stargazing gear guide suggests the best cameras, binoculars, and telescopes to enjoy this month’s sky events, including the Full Pink Moon, the Lyrid meteor shower, and two bright comets (C/2026 A1 MAPS and C/2025 R3 PanSTARRS). It highlights a dark-sky window around the new moon on April 17 for deep-sky observing and astro-photography, and offers practical gear picks and tips for lunar, planetary, and galaxy observing.

Spring Galaxy Season: 7 Must-See Deep-Sky Targets
space23 days ago

Spring Galaxy Season: 7 Must-See Deep-Sky Targets

Live Science highlights a spring galaxy season with seven top deep-sky targets to observe: Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) with its companion NGC 5195; Bode’s Galaxy (M81) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82); Pinwheel Galaxy (M101); the Leo Triplet (M65, M66, NGC 3628); the Whale and Hockey Stick (NGC 4631 and NGC 4656); Markarian’s Chain in the Virgo/Coma region; and the Sombrero Galaxy (M104). The piece notes this is a prime time for galaxy hunting, recommends using a GoTo or smart telescope to ease finding faint targets, and mentions the Messier Marathon as a spring observing challenge, with dark skies and a bit of patience yielding dramatic views even from modest gear.

Amazon Spring Sale 2026 Sparks Stargazing Gear Discounts
deals26 days ago

Amazon Spring Sale 2026 Sparks Stargazing Gear Discounts

Live Science highlights early deals in Amazon's Spring Sale 2026 for stargazing gear, including telescopes, binoculars and astrophotography cameras, with notable discounts on models like Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ, NexStar Evolution 9.25, SkyMaster binoculars and Sony A7R V; the sale runs March 25–31, 2026, with editors tracking deals across retailers.

Elite skywatching gear for 2026: smart telescopes, stabilized binos, and AI-powered mounts
space1 month ago

Elite skywatching gear for 2026: smart telescopes, stabilized binos, and AI-powered mounts

Space.com’s premium skywatching gear guide for 2026 highlights high-end, automation-rich equipment—from image-stabilized binoculars (Canon 18x50 IS UD; Fujifilm TS-L 16x40; Canon 10x42 L IS WP) to smart telescopes (Unistellar Envision, eVscope 2, Odyssey Pro, Vaonis Vespera Pro, Celestron Origin Mark II) and GoTo mounts (Celestron StarSense DX 130AZ, Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi, Benro Polaris Astro)—emphasizing how better optics and software let you find, capture, and share celestial targets, albeit at premium prices.

Comet 3I/ATLAS Nears Earth: How to Spot It This Friday
science3 months ago

Comet 3I/ATLAS Nears Earth: How to Spot It This Friday

Comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered in July 2025, reached its closest point to Earth last night and is now moving away. It can be viewed via a live webcast or with backyard telescopes, though it appears as a tiny star-like point at magnitude 11. The comet offers a rare opportunity to observe an interstellar object, with additional images released by NASA from the Europa Clipper spacecraft.

Scientists Develop Method to Detect Supernovas Hours After Explosion
science7 months ago

Scientists Develop Method to Detect Supernovas Hours After Explosion

Scientists have developed a new protocol using the Gran Telescopio de Canarias to identify supernovae within hours of explosion, enabling detailed early observations that can reveal crucial information about the star's structure and explosion mechanics. This method involves specific criteria to distinguish young supernovae from other transient objects, and the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory will further enhance early detection capabilities, potentially allowing routine observation of supernovae within 24 hours of explosion.

Saturn Returns to Night Sky: How to Spot It This Week
science9 months ago

Saturn Returns to Night Sky: How to Spot It This Week

Saturn will return to the Northern Hemisphere's late night sky this week after months as a morning star, becoming increasingly visible in the evening sky until its opposition on September 21, when it will be observable throughout the night. Stargazers can enhance their viewing with telescopes, and should check local timings for optimal observation. Saturn's reappearance marks an exciting period for skywatchers until it passes close to the sun in March 2026.

Exploring the Secrets of Galactic Archaeology
science1 year ago

Exploring the Secrets of Galactic Archaeology

The podcast episode discusses the concept of galactic archaeology, which allows scientists to reconstruct the history of the Milky Way and the universe by analyzing data from various telescopes, both large and small. By examining different wavelengths of light and rare star species, researchers can piece together the galaxy's past, including its merger history. The episode highlights the contributions of smaller telescopes in this field, emphasizing their significant impact alongside major observatories.

Astronomers Capture Record-Breaking Image of Tiny Asteroid
science1 year ago

Astronomers Capture Record-Breaking Image of Tiny Asteroid

Astronomers, led by Teddy Kareta, raced to observe the smallest asteroid ever tracked, 2022 WJ1, before it entered Earth's atmosphere and became a fireball. Discovered on November 19, 2022, the asteroid was only 16 to 27 inches wide and was observed using the Lowell Discovery Telescope in Arizona. Despite its small size, the event provided valuable data on asteroid characteristics and behavior. Although most of the asteroid vaporized, recovery efforts for any remaining fragments were unsuccessful. The event highlights the potential for future advancements in asteroid detection and observation.