Welcome

AstroBackyard

• 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
• The Best Weather Apps for Astronomy March 12, 2026
  A good weather app can save you a lot of frustration when you’re planning a night under the stars. The best weather apps for astronomy go beyond a basic clear-or-cloudy forecast, helping you check things like cloud cover, seeing, transparency, wind, humidity, and even smoke before you drag all your gear outside. If you spend... […]
  Trevor Jones
• Smart Telescope vs Traditional Telescope: Which is Better? March 5, 2026
  If you’ve been researching telescopes lately, you’ve probably noticed something: a lot of people are skipping the classic eyepiece route and jumping straight into smart telescopes. Smart telescopes can find targets for you, track them, and build a bright, detailed image on your phone or tablet using live stacking (a technique that steadily improves the... […]
  Trevor Jones

NASA Solar System & Beyond

• Drought Parches Florida April 7, 2026
  The state was unusually dry for much of 2025, but the intensity of the drought has ratcheted up since January 2026.
• NASA’s Artemis II Crew Eclipses Record for Farthest Human Spaceflight April 6, 2026
  Editor’s note: This release was updated at 7:28 p.m. EDT on April 6, 2026, to reflect Orion’s final closest approach to the lunar surface from about 4,070 miles to about 4,067 miles. NASA also updated the farthest distance Orion will travel. Finally, NASA also made changes at 10 p.m. to the statements about crew firsts. […]
  Jessica Taveau
• NASA’s Northrop Grumman CRS-24 Mission Overview  April 6, 2026
  NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 mission, or Northrop Grumman CRS-24, will deliver approximately 11,000 pounds of science and supplies to the International Space Station. This mission will be the second flight of the Cygnus XL, the larger, more cargo-capable version of the company’s solar-powered spacecraft. 
  Mark A. Garcia

Sky & Telescope

• This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 3 – 12 April 3, 2026
  Arcturus, the Spring Star, is on its way up in the east. Vega, the Summer Star, rises later in the evening. Jupiter shines high toward the southwest. The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 3 – 12 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  Alan MacRobert
• Do the Moon’s Poles Hold Less Water Than We Thought? April 3, 2026
  New observations reveal that permanently shadowed regions at the lunar poles might contain less water ice than astronauts were hoping for. The post Do the Moon’s Poles Hold Less Water Than We Thought? appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  Javier Barbuzano
• Dawn Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) May Hold a Surprise April 2, 2026
  If we're lucky, we'll soon have bright comets at both dawn and dusk. The post Dawn Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) May Hold a Surprise appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  Bob King

Phil’s Astronomy Blog