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Astrophotography

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Sky & Telescope's Pluto globe
Introducing
Sky & Telescope's Pluto Globe
This beautifully detailed 6-inch globe lets you explore the amazing geology revealed by New Horizons during its historic 2015 flyby.
First-quarter Moon
What to See with Your New Telescope
Start out right to get the most from that shiny new scope. There are things you need to know. We tell you them.
Betelgeuse and Rigel in Orion
Did Betelgeuse Swallow Its Companion?
The red supergiant marking Orion's shoulder seems to be spinning too fast. Did it get a boost when merged with a smaller companion star 100,000 years ago?
Orion Nebula
Observing The Great Orion Nebula
As Orion rises in the evening sky, explore its famous nebula with modest equipment.
Sundogs
Swing Low, Sweet Sun: It’s Solstice Time
Daylight ebbs to a minimum on Wednesday's winter solstice, but not for long. The very next day, the Sun turns back north and the cycle of light begins again.
Mike Massimino
Orbital Path Podcast: Warning! Space May Wreak Havoc on Your Body
Would you go into space if you knew your bones would turn into something called “pee brittle”? Dr. Michelle Thaller explores the effects of space on the human body in this podcast.
Choosing a telescope
Expert Tips for Buying Your First Telescope
It's a challenge to pick your first-ever telescope. S&T's editors offer you basic guidelines and expert tips for getting the one that's right for you.

This Week’s Sky At a Glance

  • This Week's Sky at a Glance logo

    This Week’s Sky at a Glance, December 23 – 31
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Astronomy News

  • Sky & Telescope’s Pluto Globe is Here!
  • What to See with Your New Telescope
  • The Year 2016 Will Be One Second Longer
  • Did Betelgeuse Swallow Its Companion?
  • Dawn Result: Water is Everywhere on Ceres
  • Can You Spot December’s Ursid Meteors?
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Explore the Night with Bob King

  • Swing Low, Sweet Sun: It’s Solstice Time
  • Colored Double Stars, Real and Imagined
  • Supermoon and Geminids Duke it Out
  • Comet Campaign Seeks Imagers Worldwide
  • Quasar CTA 102: Historically Bright, Violently Variable
  • Uranus: In Seventh Heaven with Planet Seven
More Posts from Bob King

Let’s Go Stargazing!

Getting Started in Astronomy
Begin Your Journey Here

Editor’s Pick

  • 2016-12-07_58478301bf2e4_M78_Nov16_v2

    M78 in Orion
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New Product Showcase

  • SBIG STXL-16200 Camera

    SBIG’s STXL-16200 Camera
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Featured Observing Resources

Sky & Telescope's 2017 Observing Calendar

Our calendar combines gorgeous astrophotography and special sky scenes that illustrate the positions of the Moon and bright planets. It also highlights the important celestial events of every month, including solar and lunar eclipses, meteor showers, conjunctions, and occultations of bright stars by the Moon.

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Current Issue Highlights

Sky & Telescope Magazine - February 2017
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Table of Contents

  • Two Novae in Sagittarius: The Full Story
  • Find Out More: Dione's Subsurface Ocean
  • Penumbral Lunar Eclipse in February 2017
  • February Lunar Librations and Moon Phases
  • Download a copy of this issue!
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Jan 21

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January 21, 2017 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
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Sky Tour Podcasts

  • Venus is easy to spot throughout December. Mercury starts off challenging but becomes easier to spot by midmonth.

    Tour December’s Sky: Orion Arising
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Interactive Observing Tools

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Sky & Telescope's SaturnMoons app reveals the weird worlds orbiting the ringed giant!
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