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AstroBackyard

• I Captured The Same Nebula with a DSLR, Astro Camera, & Smart Telescope May 23, 2026
  Recently, I captured the same deep-sky object using three very different camera systems. A full-frame mirrorless DSLR-style astrophotography setup. A dedicated astronomy camera rig with autoguiding. And a smart telescope that handled almost everything on its own. The target was the Elephant’s Trunk Nebula, a beautiful emission nebula in the constellation Cepheus. Each setup collected... […]
  Trevor Jones
• ToupTek StellaVita Review: Better Than Ever, But Not Perfect May 15, 2026
  The ToupTek StellaVita is a control box that can run an entire astrophotography setup from your phone or tablet.   It supports a wide range of cameras and accessories, so you’re not locked into a single ecosystem, and that alone makes it one of the more interesting alternatives to systems like the ASIAIR.   After... […]
  Trevor Jones
• 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

NASA Solar System & Beyond

• The Battle for Sullivan’s Island June 26, 2026
  Marshy, sandy terrain and an impassable inlet helped colonial forces repel British forces during a pivotal battle on the barrier island near Charleston, South Carolina, on June 28, 1776.
• Expedition 73 Crew Reflects on Science, Teamwork, and Life in Orbit  June 25, 2026
  On June 16, astronauts and cosmonauts gathered at Space Center Houston to share stories from their missions aboard the International Space Station and recognize the teamwork and people on the ground that made their missions possible.  The Expedition 73 Welcome Home Ceremony brought together members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10, Soyuz MS-27, and NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 missions. […]
  Sumer Loggins
• NASA, US Small Business Administration to Announce Partnership June 25, 2026
  NASA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will sign a memorandum of agreement during a ceremony at 1 p.m. EDT, Monday, June 29, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The agreement will create a new interagency initiative that directly responds to President Donald J. Trump’s National Space Policy and supports the growth of the American space […]
  Jessica Taveau

Sky & Telescope

• This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 26 – July 5 June 26, 2026
  The almost-full Moon steps past orange Antares between Friday and Saturday evenings, June 26th and 27th. The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 26 – July 5 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  Alan MacRobert
• Into the Void: Investigating the Heart of a Giant Elliptical Galaxy June 24, 2026
  The core of the brightest galaxy in the cluster Abell 402 contains a curious void. New observations suggest that an ultra-massive black hole could have excavated this feature. The post Into the Void: Investigating the Heart of a Giant Elliptical Galaxy appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  AAS Nova
• Exploding Stars Sprinkled Ancient Earth With Radioactive Iron and Plutonium June 23, 2026
  Exploding stars have left their radioactive mark on our planet. Now scientists have found more evidence of a particularly violent event in Earth’s more ancient past. The post Exploding Stars Sprinkled Ancient Earth With Radioactive Iron and Plutonium appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  Jan Hattenbach

Phil’s Astronomy Blog