Current Astronomy News

  • Deep Sky Designations (M, NGC, IC, and more)

    Do you often wonder what all those designations for deep-sky objects mean? A few years ago, we posted an article, The Deep Sky, and included some information about the various classifications. Here is the summary below from that article. For most amateur astronomers, the definitive list of deep-sky objects was created back in the late…

  • A Planetary Lineup 2025

    Last June, we told you about a Planetary lineup that occurred in the morning sky before sunrise. Now, the planets are back, but this time they are in the evening sky just after sunset! Go out, look to the south, and you might be able to spot four planets. There are actually six, however, you…

  • Meteorite Strike in Canada

    Just in case you missed it, a video was recently posted online showing a meteorite striking the Earth in someone’s yard. It came down on Prince Edward Island in Canada and was captured by a doorbell camera. Media from all over the world reported on it. For more on meteorites, meteoroids, meteors, and meteor showers,…

  • Mars/Moon Occultation

    On Monday night January 13 Mars ducked behind the Moon for a short time and then reappeared on the other side. Well, technically, the Moon moved in front of Mars. We call this an occultation when the Full Moon occults (or passed in front) of Mars. A few other things are going on as well.…

  • Smart Telescope for the Holidays?

    The world of amateur astronomy is changing. In fact, there just might be a revolution going on. We might be at a watershed moment! The era of the smart telescopes has arrived. These are fully automated telescopes that connect through your smart phone or tablet. They have all the information necessary to find and observe…

  • That’s a wrap! – Auroras and a Comet at our November Meeting

    You might have heard that the Winston-Salem area was visited by three celestial events this year – not one, but two auroras and a comet. Several FAS members shared the images they captured at our November meeting. We thought we would, in turn, share a few of these (and a couple more) with you. May…

  • The Southern Lights

    The Northern Lights traveled South! In possibly a once in a lifetime event, the Aurora Borealis (The Northern Lights) were visible throughout the southeast on Friday night, May 11. An unusually large coronal mass ejection from a sunspot some 15 times the width of the Earth sent a huge stream of particles our way resulting…

  • Orion Telescopes – Gone?

    We’re not sure what’s going on, but Orion Telescopes appears to have gone dark. Its website (telescope.com) is no longer working and, as far as we can tell, the company is no longer operating. There were no advance notices. The company just seems to have disappeared. For those of you who don’t know about this…

  • Comet C/2023 A3

    Don’t look now, but comet C/2023 A3 might just be coming our way. Just recently this comet, also known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, was seen close to the Sun. It will reach perihelion – its closest approach to the Sun – on September 27. There is a chance – a chance – that it might be visible…