Archives

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’s Perseverance Mars Rover Surveys ‘Crocodile Bridge’ May 5, 2026
  Description NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover used its Mastcam-Z camera system to capture this 360-degree panorama of a region nicknamed “Crocodile Bridge” on Jezero Crater’s rim. The panorama is made up of 980 images, 971 of which were taken on Dec. 18, 2025, the 1,717th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. An additional nine were […]
• Curiosity Blog, Sols 4879-4885: Struggle at Atacama May 5, 2026
  Written by William Farrand, Senior Research Scientist, Space Science Institute Earth planning date: Friday, May 1, 2026 Chile’s Atacama desert is the driest mid-latitude desert in the world, receiving only 15 millimeters (0.59 inches) of precipitation per year. Only the dry valleys of Antarctica receive less precipitation. These environmental conditions have made the Atacama a […]
• 650 NASA Volunteers Have Co-Authored Scientific Papers May 5, 2026
  After a recent count, NASA Citizen Science is proud to report that more than 650 people who have volunteered to participate in NASA citizen science projects have co-authored peer-reviewed research papers with scientists on those project teams. These volunteers made incredible contributions like: And all of them saw their passion and dedication translated into lasting […]

Sky & Telescope

• Meet the Constellations: Leo, the Lion May 5, 2026
  Leo, the Lion, is one of the most recognizable of the spring constellations, with its large size, distinctive shape, and plentiful bright stars. The post Meet the Constellations: Leo, the Lion appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  Daniel Johnson
• Astronomers Find Atmosphere Around a Pluto-like World May 4, 2026
  Observations — including from an amateur astronomer — show that the Plutino 2002 XV93 has a thin wisp of air around it. The post Astronomers Find Atmosphere Around a Pluto-like World appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  Colin Stuart
• 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

Phil’s Astronomy Blog