Category Archives: Space participation

Astronomy, Education, Space participation

Night sky highlights for October 2026

Check out the night sky during October 2026. Here are videos and links to websites highlighting the month’s top sights, including a bright Saturn, meteor showers, and more.

** What’s Up: October 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA | NASA JPL

Saturn takes center stage, a meteor shower lights up the sky, and the Moon visits the Seven Sisters.

On October 4, Saturn reaches opposition, giving skywatchers one of the year’s best opportunities to see the ringed planet. In addition, learn about a 10-sided atmospheric wave encircling Saturn’s south pole that was recently revealed by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

The Orionid meteor shower peaks October 21-22. Debris from Halley’s Comet produces the meteors, but this year, a bright Moon will obscure some of the fainter streaks. The best viewing chances will likely be the hours before dawn, after the Moon sets.

Then, on October 27-28, look east in the evening for the Moon passing close to the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters. The star cluster is visible to the unaided eye and even more spectacular through binoculars.

0:00 Intro
0:10 Saturn at Opposition
0:30 Saturn’s South Pole Decagon
1:01 The Orionids Peak
1:39 The Pleiades aka Seven Sisters
2:20 Phases of the Moon

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/whats-up/.

— Additional Resources —

Find events and clubs with NASA’s Night Sky Network: https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/…

Skywatching resources from NASA: https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching

Four phases of the Moon in October. Credits: NASA/JPL

See also October’s Night Sky Notes: Spooky Stargazing | NASA Science – Sept.28.2026.

** What to see in the night sky: October 2026 | BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Find out the best things to see in the night sky this month, courtesy of astronomers Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel

[ Update Oct.5.2026: 

** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – February 2026 | Sky & Telescope Youtube

This episode takes you on a tour of the stars and planets that you’ll see overhead during October. The spotlight is on Saturn, which can be seen all night, and a fantastic occultation of Jupiter by the Moon. So grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour.

See also

]

** October 2026 Night Sky: Saturn Closest to Earth, Orionids Meteor Shower Peaks | Late Night Astronomy

Let’s explore the night sky with the return of Saturn and the peak of the Orionids Meteor Shower!

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Timestamps:
0:00 Saturn Opposition
2:58 Orionids Meteor Shower
3:47 SkySafari Ad
4:58 The Moon
6:34 The Planets
7:43 Deep Sky Challenge

** What’s in the Sky this Month | October 2026 | High Point Scientific on Youtube

In this episode of What’s in the Sky this Month, Teagan reviews some of the beautiful celestial objects you can see in October!

Read the full October 2026 Newsletter: https://www.highpointscientific.com/a…

…

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:37 – Nearest Neighbors
02:06 – Saturn at Opposition
03:39 – Mars & the Beehive Cluster
04:42 – Moon Occulting Jupiter
05:47 – Orionid Meteor Shower
06:40 – The Double Cluster
07:44 – Conclusion

** Night Sky Notebook October 2026 | Peter Detterline

** See also:

=== Amazon Associate Ads ===

Telescopes for every budget

—- Books —

Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide, Eighth Edition

Astronomy, Education, Space participation

Night sky highlights for September 2026

Check out the night sky this month, September 2026. Here are videos and links to websites highlighting the top sights to observe.

** What’s Up: September 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA | NASA JPL

The Moon joins a tea party, Venus reaches peak brilliance, the seasons change, and the Harvest Moon meets up with some planetary neighbors.

From September 14 through 20, use the Moon as a guide to spot Antares, the Teapot asterism, and – under especially dark skies – the center of our Milky Way galaxy.

On September 18, look low in the west shortly after sunset as Venus reaches peak brilliance for this evening appearance.

On September 19, celebrate International Observe the Moon Night! People around the world are invited to look up and connect with our nearest celestial neighbor while learning more about lunar science, exploration, and the many ways the moon has shaped cultures around the world.

The September equinox arrives on September 22, marking the start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

Then on September 26, the Harvest Moon rises near Saturn, with faint Neptune completing a wide triangle in the sky. Saturn is visible to the unaided eye, while Neptune requires binoculars or a telescope.

0:00 Intro
0:12 Moon near Antares and the Teapot
1:02 Venus reaches peak brilliance
1:49 September equinox
2:13 Harvest Moon, Saturn and Neptune
2:50 Moon phases

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/whats-up/.

Sky chart view of the west just after sunset on Sept.18.2026. Credits: NASA/JPL

** What to see in the night sky: September 2026 | BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Another stargazing season is upon us!

As the dark skies of autumn return, astronomers Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal the best things to see in the night sky, from the 2026 Harvest Moon to planets, stars, constellations and deep-sky objects.

** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – September 2026 | Sky & Telescope Youtube

This episode takes you on a tour of the stars and planets that you’ll see overhead during September. First, we’ll check out this month’s equinox and Harvest Moon; then we’ll track down the bright planets, explore some lesser-known constellations, and bounce around the Summer Triangle. It’s a great introduction to the late-summer sky. So grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour.

See also

** September 2026 Night Sky: Moon Covers Jupiter & Venus + The Trifid Nebula | Late Night Astronomy

Wondering what you can see in the night sky the September? This monthly guide covers the Moon moving in front of Jupiter and Venus, a pair of comets and the Trifid Nebula.

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Timestamps:
0:00 Lunar Occultation of Jupiter
1:25 Lunar Occultation of Venus
2:23 Comet 220P/McNaught
3:05 Comet Tempel 2
3:35 Wosports Ad
4:54 Lunar Phases
5:34 The Planets
7:15 Deep Sky Challenge

** What’s in the Sky this Month | September 2026 | High Point Scientific on Youtube

In this episode of What’s in the Sky this Month, Teagan reviews some of the beautiful celestial objects you can see in September!

Read the full September 2026 Newsletter: …

…

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:39 – NGC 7635 – The Bubble Nebula
01:56 – Messier 52
02:47 – Delta Cephei
03:57 – Messier 30
04:52 – Neptune at Opposition
05:58 – Nearest Neighbors
07:15 – Conclusion

** Night Sky Notebook September 2026 | Peter Detterline

This is what’s happening in the sky for September 2026.

** See also:

=== Amazon Associate Ads ===

Telescopes for every budget

—- Books —

Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide, Eighth Edition

Astronomy, Education, Space participation

Night sky highlights for August 2026

Check out the night sky this month, August 2026. Highlights include the Perseid meteor shower, a bright Venus in the evening, and both a partial solar eclipse and a partial lunar eclipse. The sights are described in these videos and links to websites:

** What’s Up: August 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA | NASA JPL

A solar eclipse, one of the year’s best meteor showers, Venus at its brightest in the evening sky, and a partial lunar eclipse to close out the month.

On August 12, a total solar eclipse crosses northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and a small corner of Portugal. In parts of the United States, from Alaska to North Carolina, the eclipse will be partial. Use certified eclipse glasses or a safe solar viewer whenever any part of the Sun is visible.

Later that night, the Perseid meteor shower peaks under the dark skies of the New Moon. Around August 14 through 16, Venus shines low in the west after sunset, and on August 27-28, a partial lunar eclipse is visible from much of the Americas and parts of Europe and Africa.

0:00 Intro
0:11 Solar eclipse
0:41 Perseid meteor shower
1:27 Venus after sunset
1:41 Partial lunar eclipse
2:22 August Moon phases

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/whats-up/.

“….where in the night sky to look for the Perseid meteor shower.” Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech

** How to see the August 2026 solar eclipse and Perseid meteor shower | BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Astronomers Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal the best things to see in the night sky this month, including the August 2026 solar eclipse and the peak of one of the year’s best meteor showers.

** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – August 2026 | Sky & Telescope Youtube

This month we’ve got three big celestial events to cover: eclipses of the Sun and Moon, and especially good prospects for the Perseid meteor shower. Plus we’ll track down a few planets, and gaze at the center of our galaxy. So load up on the bug juice, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour.

See also

** August 2026 Night Sky: Total Solar Eclipse, Perseid Meteor Shower & Comet Tempel 2 | Late Night Astronomy

Wondering what you can see in the night sky this August? This monthly guide covers the Total Solar Eclipse, the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, Comet 10P/Tempel, and a partial lunar eclipse.

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Timestamps:
0:00 Night Sky August 2026
0:30 Total Solar Eclipse (August 12)
2:12 Perseid Meteor Shower Peak
3:20 Partial Lunar Eclipse (August 27)
4:10 Ouranos Sponsored Ad
5:29 Comet 10P/Tempel 2 Viewing Guide
6:23 The Moon
7:04 The Planets
8:46 Deep Sky Challenge

** What’s in the Sky this Month | August 2026 | High Point Scientific on Youtube

In this episode of What’s in the Sky this Month, Teagan reviews some of the beautiful celestial objects you can see in August!

Read the full August 2026 Newsletter: https://www.highpointscientific.com/a…

…

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:37 – Nearest Neighbors
02:13 – Partial Lunar Eclipse
03:30 – Perseid Meteor Shower
04:26 – Messier 27 – The Dumbbell Nebula
05:22 – NGC 7000 – The North America Nebula
06:21 – Messier 2
07:05 – Conclusion

** Night Sky Notebook August 2026 | Peter Detterline

What’s happening in the sky for the month of August 2026.

** See also:

=== Amazon Associate Ads ===

Telescopes for every budget

—- Books —

Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide, Eighth Edition

Astronomy, Education, Space participation

Night sky highlights for June 2026

Check out the night sky this month, June 2026. Here are videos and links to websites highlighting the top sights to observe.

** What’s Up: June 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA | NASA JPL

Venus and Jupiter meet after sunset, the Moon passes in front of Venus, summer begins, and deep-sky treasures rise into view.

To start June, look west after sunset to spot Venus and Jupiter shining close together, with Mercury joining the view low in the sky.

Around June 9, Venus and Jupiter appear especially close in a planetary conjunction.

From June 11 through 15, Mercury joins the scene, creating a mini-parade of planets near the western horizon.

On June 17, from some locations, the Moon passes in front of Venus in an event called a lunar occultation. For viewers outside the exact viewing path, the Moon and Venus may still appear close together. [Important safety note: For many viewers, this event happens during the daytime. Never point binoculars, a telescope, or a camera near the Sun unless you are using proper solar-safe equipment.]

June also brings the summer solstice, marking the start of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

And once the sky gets dark, look for the Summer Triangle and deep-sky objects like the Dumbbell Nebula, Ring Nebula, North America Nebula, and Veil Nebula.

0:00 Intro
0:11 Venus and Jupiter after sunset
0:23 Planetary conjunction
0:35 Mercury joins the lineup
1:09 Moon passes in front of Venus
2:03 Summer solstice
2:43 Summer Triangle and deep-sky objects
3:27 Moon phases

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/whats-up/…

The evening sky in the west on June 14th. Credits: NASA

** What to see in the night sky: February 2026 | BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal the best things to see in the night sky this month.

 

** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – June 2026 | Sky & Telescope Youtube

This month’s episode highlights the close pairing of Venus and Jupiter under way in the western sky after sunset. You’ll also learn why astronomers are fixated on a star in Corona Borealis — and how to find a huge but dim constellation that will likely be new to you. So grab curiosity and come along on this month’s Sky Tour.

See also

** The Night Sky | June 2026 | Venus and Jupiter Meet | Moon Moves in front of Venus | Comet Tempel 2 | Late Night Astronomy

Venus and Jupiter make a close pass to each other right after sunset and the Moon moves in front of Venus. Let’s take a look at what you can go out to see in the night sky for June of 2026!

…

Timestamps:
0:00 Jupiter and Venus Close Together
1:13 Lunar Occultation of Venus
2:18 The Moon
2:53 The Planets
3:26 Comet 10/P Tempel 2
4:24 Deep Sky Challenge

** What’s in the Sky this Month | June 2026 | High Point Scientific on Youtube

In this episode of What’s in the Sky this Month, Teagan reviews some of the beautiful celestial objects you can see in June!

Read the full June 2026 Newsletter: https://www.highpointscientific.com/a…

…

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:26 – Nearest Neighbors
02:03 – The Splinter Galaxy
03:33 – Messier 4
04:55 – Messier 51
06:08 – Messier 92
07:17 – Nu Draconis – Kuma
08:19 – Conclusion

** Night Sky Notebook June 2026 | Peter Detterline

** See also:

=== Amazon Associate Ads ===

Telescopes for every budget

—- Books —

Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide, Eighth Edition

Astronomy, Education, Space participation

Night sky highlights for May 2026

The night sky this month, May 2026, will include Eta Aquarid meteors and a Blue Moon. Here are videos and links to websites highlighting the top sights to observe.

** What’s Up: May 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA | NASA JPL

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower brings shooting stars before dawn, the Moon meets brilliant Venus after sunset, and May wraps up with a rare Blue Moon.

Look to the early morning sky around May 5-6 for meteors from Halley’s Comet, though bright moonlight may wash out some of the fainter streaks.

Then on May 18, spot the crescent Moon near Venus low in the western sky just after sunset. May ends with a Full Moon on May 31.

May ends with a Blue Moon, meaning the second full moon in a single calendar month, but it will not actually look blue.

0:00 Intro
0:09 Eta Aquarids
1:25 Moon and Venus conjunction
1:54 Blue Moon
2:35 May Moon phases

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/whats-up/.

Here are the lunar phases for May:

Phases of the Moon for May. Credits: NASA JPL

** What to see in the night sky: May 2026 | BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal the best things to see in the night sky this month, from the planets and the Moon to the stars, constellations and deep-sky objects.

** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – May 2026 | Sky & Telescope Youtube

See also

** The Night Sky | May 2026 | Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower | Comet PANSTARRS | Flower Moon | Late Night Astronomy

A major meteor shower peaks and a comet puts on a show for the southern hemisphere. Let’s take a look at the night sky for May of 2026.

…

Timestamps:
0:00 Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
1:14 Comet R3 PANSTARRS
2:14 The Moon
2:59 The Planets
3:39 Deep Sky Challenge

** What’s in the Sky this Month | May 2026 | High Point Scientific on Youtube

In this episode of What’s in the Sky this Month, Teagan reviews some of the beautiful celestial objects you can see in May!

Read the full May 2026 Newsletter: https://www.highpointscientific.com/a…

…

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:37 – Messier 5
01:54 – Cor Caroli
02:49 – Needle Galaxy
04:03 – Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower
05:15 – Blue Moon
06:01 – Nearest Neighbors
07:19 – Conclusion

** Night Sky Notebook May 2026 | Peter Detterline

What’s happening in the night sky in May 2026.

** See also:

=== Amazon Associate Ads ===

Telescopes for every budget

—- Books —

Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide, Eighth Edition