Welcome

AstroBackyard

• Dark Sky Camping: RV Lighting Etiquette and Setup April 28, 2026
  Dark sky camping has become a big part of how we travel. Whether we’re heading to a remote site or setting up at a star party, the goal is always the same: get away from artificial light and experience the night sky the way it’s meant to be seen. What we’ve learned, though, is that... […]
  Ashley Northcotte
• Rediscover the Night Sky: 6 Things You’re Missing Because of Light Pollution April 13, 2026
  If you’ve ever stepped outside at night and looked up, it probably felt like you were seeing the night sky. A few bright stars,  maybe a familiar constellation or two, and that’s it.  For most people, that is the night sky they know, but it’s only a small fraction of what’s actually there. Over time,... […]
  Ashley Northcotte
• My Astrophotography Processing Workflow in PixInsight & Photoshop April 2, 2026
  In this guide, I’m going to walk you through my current astrophotography processing workflow from start to finish. The biggest thing I want you to take away isn’t just what tools to use, but when to use them. If you’re looking for a PixInsight processing tutorial that is actually easy to follow, this guide will... […]
  Trevor Jones

NASA Solar System & Beyond

• NASA Kennedy Center Director Announces Plans to Retire May 1, 2026
  NASA announced Friday Janet Petro, center director for the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is retiring. Prior to joining NASA, Petro worked in a variety of military and industry positions, ultimately beginning her career at the agency in 2007 and working her way up to center director, as well as serving as acting administrator […]
  Lauren E. Low
• NASA Artemis II Crew Rings Nasdaq Closing Bell May 1, 2026
  Nasdaq Chair and Chief Executive Officer Adena T. Friedman, left, and NASA’s Artemis II crewmembers CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, and NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Reid Wiseman, right, ring the closing bell of the Nasdaq market session, Thursday, April 30, 2026. NASA’s Artemis II mission took Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and […]
  Monika Luabeya
• Key Support Equipment Arrives at Kennedy for Roman Space Telescope May 1, 2026
  Technicians at NASA’s Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida offloaded eight high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) wall modules and other ground support equipment on April 27. The equipment will support launch processing of the agency’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Each 1,800-pound module enhances the PHSF’s clean room systems, helping meet […]
  Leejay Lockhart

Sky & Telescope

• This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 1 – 9 May 1, 2026
  Venus hangs in place in the western twilight while Aldebaran and the Pleiades continue their downward slide behind it. And if Venus is the Evening Star, then bright Jupiter, high to its upper left, counts as the False Evening Star. The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 1 – 9 appeared first on […]
  Alan MacRobert
• Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Has Cold, Ancient Origins April 30, 2026
  The most recent interstellar visitor was crisscrossing our galaxy for some 10 to 12 billion years before it came near the Sun. The post Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Has Cold, Ancient Origins appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  Monica Young
• May Podcast: The Delightful Dippers April 30, 2026
  This month’s episode showcases the Big and Little Dippers, now placed high in the northern evening sky. We'll also track down all five bright planets and watch for meteors from Halley's Comet. So grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour. The post May Podcast: The Delightful Dippers appeared first on Sky […]
  J. Kelly Beatty

Phil’s Astronomy Blog