  | What's Up This Week? This week's skies offer a mix of bright planet pairings, deep-sky wonders, and a fresh lunar cycle. Early in the week, binoculars reveal rich star clusters tucked between Altair and Cebalrai. Mercury reaches peak morning visibility on Tuesday, followed by the crescent moon dancing past Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury through midweek, often joined by the Beehive Cluster. By Friday, the moonless nights open the Milky Way for sweeping views of star clouds and clusters, and Saturday's new moon resets the lunar cycle. Whether you're chasing planets before dawn or soaking in the Milky Way after dark, there's something for every skywatcher. Here's what to watch for this week. Clear skies,
Daisy
Reference Editor, Space.com  | | (Starry Night) | Use binoculars to sweep the region between Altair and Cebalrai to find three rich open clusters: IC 4665, NGC 6633, and IC 4756. Compare star colors and shapes for a rewarding stargazing session.  | | (Starry Night) | Mercury shines brightest in the east before sunrise, reaching 18.6 degrees from the sun. Look between 4:45–5:45 a.m. local time. Jupiter, Venus, and the moon join the show, with the Beehive Cluster nearby.  | | (Starry Night) | The waning crescent moon pairs with Venus and Jupiter in the eastern sky before sunrise, making a picturesque trio. On Tuesday, the moon sits above Jupiter; on Wednesday, it shifts to its left.  | | (Starry Night) | The thin crescent moon appears just above Mercury, with Venus and Jupiter gleaming higher in the east. Binoculars may reveal the Beehive Cluster sparkling between the moon and Mercury.  | | (Starry Night) | With no moonlight to interfere, this is a perfect week to explore Milky Way clusters. Look for M39 and M29 in Cygnus, M11 in Scutum, M24 in Sagittarius, and M6 and M7 in Scorpius.  | | (Starry Night) | The moon reaches new phase at 2:06 a.m. EDT (06:06 GMT), vanishing from sight as it aligns with the sun. Dark skies tonight are ideal for stargazing. Watch for the waxing crescent to return after sunset in the coming evenings. |
Moon Calendar The new moon arrives on Saturday, Aug. 23, bringing the darkest skies of the month. With no moonlight to wash out the stars, this is the perfect time to enjoy the Milky Way or track down faint star clusters and nebulas. In the evenings that follow, watch for the first delicate crescent to reappear low in the western sky, a favorite target for photographers. Want to explore more? Check out our ultimate guide to observing the moon for tips and tools to get the most out of each phase. | | | |
In The News The second largest moon in the solar system will cast its shadow over Saturn on Aug. 19. |
Solar Eclipse With just one year until the total solar eclipse of 2026, we take a look at everything you need to know for the ultimate eclipse adventure. |
Lunar Eclipse The second total lunar eclipse of 2025 will be visible from Europe, Asia and western Australia on Sept. 7-8, 2025. |
Northern Lights Forecast The latest aurora forecast for tonight help you make sure you're in the right place at the right time to see the northern lights. |
Your Amazing Astrophotos As 'Alien: Earth' hits screens, the night sky delivers a cameo from the franchise's iconic villain. The Perseid meteor shower 2025 peaked Aug. 12-13, delighting skywatchers worldwide. |
Astronomy Kit and Accessories  | | (M-gucci/Getty Images) | Bring the universe closer — here's our round-up of the best binoculars by price for those looking for something cheap, looking to invest a little more or those 'forever home' binoculars  | | (Bernt Olsen/Getty Images) | If you're in the market for one of the best cameras for astrophotography then look no further than our round-up. Here we've brought together the pinnacle of digital imaging tech to help photographers capture the universe in ever-clearer ways. |  |
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