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

• Picturing Earth in a New Light May 15, 2026
  A recent analysis revealed where artificial light at night has intensified, as well as where it has diminished.
• NASA Draws on Industry for Mars Telecommunications Network May 14, 2026
  On Thursday, NASA issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), seeking industry collaboration for the Mars Telecommunications Network. Reliable, high bandwidth communications is necessary to relay science data, high-definition imagery, and critical information during Mars missions. The network will use high-performance Mars telecommunications orbiters at the Red Planet to support future surface, orbital, and human exploration. […]
  Lauren E. Low
• NASA, Industry Prepare Cryogenic Fuel Technology Demo May 14, 2026
  NASA is collaborating with Eta Space of Rockledge, Florida, on an in‑orbit technology demonstration to advance a key capability for future deep space missions. The Liquid Oxygen Flight Demonstration, or LOXSAT, will test cryogenic fluid management technologies necessary for creating in-space propellant depots, essentially gas stations in space, that could support long-term exploration. During a […]
  Lee Mohon

Sky & Telescope

• Webb Telescope Reveals Brown Dwarfs Masquerading as Early Galaxies May 14, 2026
  Two objects that appeared to be galaxies residing in a universe about 150 million years old turn out to be brown dwarfs in the Milky Way. The post Webb Telescope Reveals Brown Dwarfs Masquerading as Early Galaxies appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  Deepa Jain
• Moon and Planets to Gather in Twilight Spectacle on May 18–20 May 13, 2026
  Watch the crescent Moon dance with the planets when it returns next week. The post Moon and Planets to Gather in Twilight Spectacle on May 18–20 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  Bob King
• A Black Hole’s Puzzling X-Ray Bursts May 11, 2026
  In 2019, a supermassive black hole in a galaxy 300 million light-years away woke up. Now, it’s puzzling astronomers with an unexpected slowdown in its X-ray bursts. The post A Black Hole’s Puzzling X-Ray Bursts appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  AAS Nova

Phil’s Astronomy Blog