Comet SWAN 25F taken by Chris Shur. Are you an astrophotographer or amateur astronomer looking for your next celestial challenge? Look no further than the captivating Comet SWAN25F! This newly discovered comet has been generating excitement in the astronomical community, and for good reason. With a little planning and the right equipment, you can observe and even photograph this icy wanderer from your own backyard. A Green Guest in the Dawn Sky, Comet SWAN25F, designated C/2025 F2 (SWAN), was discovered in late March 2025 and has quickly become a target of interest for stargazers. It was first identified through images captured by the Solar Wind Anisotropies (SWAN) instrument aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a joint mission between NASA and the European Space Agency. The discovery highlights the important role citizen scientists play in astronomy, with Australian amateur astronomer Michael Mattiazzo credited as the primary discoverer. Currently, Comet SWAN25...

This stunning image, skillfully captured and processed by Brian Puhl, showcases the mesmerizing intricacies of an emission nebula. Taken with the AFIL-40 telescope, located in the breathtaking Rio Hurtado Valley of Chile. Are you an astrophotographer dreaming of capturing breathtaking images of deep-sky wonders? Do you yearn for the pristine dark skies that unlock the universe's hidden beauty? Then prepare to be amazed! A stunning new image set of IC 1274 is now available on Starbase , offering a glimpse into the heart of this captivating nebula. IC 1274: A Celestial Gem IC 1274 is a luminous nebula nestled within the Lynds 227 molecular cloud in the constellation Sagittarius. Located approximately 5,900 light-years from Earth, this stellar nursery is a hotbed of star formation, energized by the intense radiation of the massive B0-class star HD 166033 (Hansonastronomy.com). The nebula's vibrant red hues, characteristic of ionized hydrogen, and intricate dust lane struct...

The Glow of the Solar Corona During the Totality of the February 16, 1980, Total Solar Eclipse from Kenya, Africa. All photos by Harry Hammond. The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, is set to be an awe-inspiring astronomical event that will mesmerize observers throughout North America. Several extraordinary phenomena will be unveiled when the Moon completely blocks out the Sun during the brief period of totality. The Solar Corona:  As the Moon's shadow covers the Sun, the solar corona, a radiant halo of superheated plasma, will become visible. Normally obscured by the Sun's intense brightness, the corona extends millions of kilometers into space. During totality, it will manifest as a delicate and ethereal crown encircling the obscured Sun. Its delicate tendrils, sculpted by the Sun's magnetic field, will extend outward, exposing the Sun's outer layers. Prominences and Filaments:  Watch for solar prominences, massive arches of hot gas, along the edge of the...

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks was imaged by Lukas Demetz and processed by Rolando Ligustri using Insight Observatory's affiliate remote telescope, AFIL-23 located in Nerpio, Spain. Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, a captivating icy traveler named in honor of the remarkable comet hunters Jean-Louis Pons and William Robert Brooks, periodically graces our skies, leaving stargazers in awe. Let's explore the fascinating tale of this celestial phenomenon that has captured the imagination of astronomers and skywatchers alike. In the early 19th century, Jean-Louis Pons, armed with telescopes of his own design, established himself as a legendary astronomer figure by visually discovering an astonishing 37 comets. This record remains unbroken to this day. Among his discoveries was an enigmatic object spotted on July 12, 1812—a comet with no apparent tail. Over the following month, this mysterious celestial body brightened, becoming dimly visible to the naked eye. By August 15, it reached its peak brigh...

A discovery image of the new Uranian moon S/2023 U1 using the Magellan Telescope on November 4, 2023. Photo Credit: Scott Sheppard / Carnegie Institute for Science. Astronomy enthusiasts and stargazers alike have reason to rejoice as recent research has uncovered a trio of hidden gems swirling around the gas giants Uranus and Neptune. In a revelation that adds sparkle to our understanding of the outer solar system, astronomers have unveiled three previously undiscovered moons, each with its own unique story to tell. These newfound moons aren't just celestial bystanders; they represent fragments from a common parent object, adding a layer of complexity to our understanding of moon formation. With irregular orbits and intriguing distances from their host planets, they challenge conventional wisdom and beckon us to reconsider the dynamics of our cosmic neighborhood. Uranus, Shakespeare's inspiration for celestial naming, welcomes two new moons to its retinue: Cressida an...

The total solar eclipse will be visible along a narrow track stretching from Texas to Maine on April 8, 2024. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout all 48 contiguous U.S. states. Are you ready for a spectacular celestial show? The 2024 solar eclipse is gearing up to grace North America with its awe-inspiring presence. This rare event promises an unforgettable experience for those fortunate enough to witness it. But hold your horses, eager sky-gazers! To truly savor the magic of this cosmic phenomenon, a little preparation goes a long way. Here's your go-to guide on how to bask in the brilliance of the 2024 solar eclipse: Hunt Down the Perfect Spot: Picture this: Mexico, the United States, and Canada are all in the eclipse's path of totality. The duration of totality? Well, that varies depending on where you're stationed. Luckily, the internet is your trusty sidekick here. Dive into online resources, like the insightful video by NASA Science on YouTube, for a bre...

NGC 6726 - A reflection and emission nebula in the constellation Corona Australis processed by Jon Gascoyne from image data acquired on Insight Observatory's remote telescope, ATEO-3 located at Deep Sky Chile. Image data by Franck Jobard. If you cast your gaze towards the constellation Corona Australis, you might just catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing NGC 6729, affectionately known as Caldwell 68. This celestial spectacle, a reflection/emission nebula, was first discovered by the keen eyes of Johann Friedrich Julius Schmidt in the year 1861. Let's embark on a cosmic journey to unravel the secrets held within the folds of this captivating nebula. NGC 6729 takes center stage as a small yet enchanting segment of the Corona Australis Molecular Cloud positioned approximately 400 light-years away from our vantage point on Earth. Imagine a fan-shaped nebula unfolding its celestial wings, reaching out from the radiant R Coronae Australis to the distant T CrA in the southeast. Th...

SN2024gy imaged on 01/11/2024 by Luis Velasquez is from 2.25 hours of LRGB data from Insight Observatory's affiliate remote telescope AFIL-3 located in Hakos, Namibia. In the vast expanse of the cosmos, an extraordinary event unfolded on January 4, 2024 – the discovery of Supernova 2024gy in the galaxy NGC 4216. This celestial marvel was unveiled to the world by the keen eyes of Koichi Itagaki, a passionate Japanese amateur astronomer. SN2024gy belongs to the exclusive category of Type Ia supernovae, a type that originates in binary star systems. What makes these stellar explosions particularly captivating is their role as "standard candles" in the cosmic distance measurement toolkit. The consistent brightness exhibited by Type Ia supernovae allows astronomers to precisely calculate their distance from Earth, offering a unique window into the mysteries of the universe. The significance of this discovery extends beyond the cosmic spectacle itself; it signifies the c...

The author's artistic rendition of the "Great Fireball of '66". At around 7:15pm, on Sunday, April 24, 1966 – fifty-seven years ago this past April - I was 8 years old, and I just happened to be passing by the open front door to our house, in Falmouth, Massachusetts, facing, due, West...If I had been doing anything else - other, than that – I could not be writing this today… This is my digital painting/impression of the “Fireball”, as I observed it from my front door-step, super-imposed onto a photo of the Mullen-Hall School, in Falmouth, as seen from my perspective. I remember that the sky was still light, and absolutely cloudless (about 30 minutes after sunset) when I noticed a bright ball of light about the size and brightness of the full moon approaching from my left in my field of view (toward the South). I remember being, "frozen", in place, as I watched this bight, "thing” – I first thought it was maybe a burning aircraft, moving parallel wit...