Articles
Guides to galaxies, nebulae, telescopes, and the night sky — for curious minds everywhere.
Observing Uranus and Neptune: The Ice Giants in Your Telescope
Uranus and Neptune are the most distant planets visible in amateur telescopes. Finding them is the real challenge — here's how to locate, identify, and observe the ice giants with modest equipment.
Team Visit Astronomy · Oct 1, 2026
Exoplanets: What Backyard Astronomers Can Observe
You don't need a space telescope to detect exoplanets. With a modest telescope and careful technique, you can measure the light dip when a planet crosses its host star.
Team Visit Astronomy · Sep 29, 2026
Narrowband Astrophotography: Ha, OIII, SII Explained
Narrowband filters let you photograph nebulae from light-polluted skies and reveal details invisible in broadband imaging. Here's how Ha, OIII, and SII filters work and how to combine them.
Team Visit Astronomy · Sep 26, 2026
The North America Nebula NGC 7000: A Hidden Giant Near Deneb
The North America Nebula is one of the largest nebulae in the sky — so large that you can't see it through a telescope. Here's how to find, photograph, and appreciate this remarkable emission nebula hiding in plain sight near Deneb.
Team Visit Astronomy · Sep 24, 2026
Star Trail Photography: How to Capture Circles in the Sky
Star trail images turn the Earth's rotation into art — long arcs of light sweeping across your frame. Here's how to plan, shoot, and stack star trail photographs with any camera.
Team Visit Astronomy · Sep 22, 2026
Aquarius Constellation: Ancient Water Bearer in Modern Skies
Aquarius is one of the oldest constellations, home to the Saturn Nebula, the Helix Nebula, and fascinating deep-sky targets. Here's how to find and explore it.
Team Visit Astronomy · Sep 19, 2026
Capella and Auriga: Winter's Bright Beacon
Capella is the sixth brightest star in the sky and the jewel of the constellation Auriga. Here's what makes this golden star special and what to look for in its constellation.
Team Visit Astronomy · Sep 17, 2026
Finding Dark Skies Near You: A Practical Guide to Light Pollution Maps
Light pollution steals the night sky from billions of people. But dark skies are closer than you think. Here's how to use light pollution maps to find the best stargazing spots near you.
Team Visit Astronomy · Sep 15, 2026
How to Build a Backyard Observatory
A backyard observatory transforms your stargazing from occasional hobby to nightly routine. Here's a practical guide to planning, building, and equipping your own.
Team Visit Astronomy · Sep 12, 2026
Star Clusters Explained: Open vs Globular
Open clusters and globular clusters are both collections of stars, but they differ in almost every way. Here's how to tell them apart and why both are essential observing targets.
Team Visit Astronomy · Sep 8, 2026