 | | Created for znamenski.spacecom@blogger.com | Web Version | | | |  This week's skies offer a little bit of everything — from a blinking star to deep-sky treasures and beautifully dark, moonless nights. Look out for the variable star Algol fading and brightening overhead, the crescent moon gliding past Antares before dawn, and a perfect window to explore Orion's famous nebulas as the new moon brings darker skies. There's plenty more to enjoy beyond the night sky, too. In this issue, we share a personal journey beneath some of the darkest skies on Earth — a trip to the Canary Islands that proved just how breathtaking the universe can look from La Palma and Tenerife. You'll also find a guide on where and when you can see the northern lights in 2026, plus two unforgettable photo stories — one capturing auroras glowing above a fox in Finland and another showing the Hubble Space Telescope transiting the sun. Here's what to watch for in the nights ahead. Daisy Dobrijevic | |  | | (Starry Night) | Look high in the evening sky for Algol in Perseus as it fades and then brightens again. The star reaches minimum brightness at 5:48 p.m. EST (2248 GMT) and returns to normal by 10:48 p.m. EST (0348 GMT). This is an easy variable star to spot with the naked eye. | |  | | (Starry Night) | Early risers can spot a thin crescent moon glowing near reddish star Antares in Scorpius. Binoculars may also reveal the fuzzy glow of Messier 4, one of the closest globular clusters to Earth. | |  | | (Starry Night) | Orion's sword hosts the stunning Orion Nebula, visible even to the naked eye as a misty patch when viewed from dark skies. Binoculars reveal its glow, while telescopes uncover dark dust lanes and the Trapezium star cluster. | |  | | (Starry Night) | Just below the Orion Nebula lies Nair al Saif, a bright star marking the tip of Orion's sword. Binoculars and telescopes reveal surrounding fain nebulosity and intensely blue companion stars. | | | The new moon arrives at 2:52 p.m. EST (1952 GMT) on Jan. 18, bringing several nights of dark, moonless skies ideal for exploring faint nebulas, star clusters and the Milky Way. It's one of the best windows this month for deep-sky observing, so make sure to get outside and point those telescopes skyward! 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. | | | | From volcanic landscapes to world-class observatories, a journey through the Canary Islands reveals a night sky unlike anything I'd seen before. | | | | Plan the ultimate aurora adventure with expert tips on where, when and how to see the northern lights. | | | 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. | | | | A magical encounter in northern Finland blends ancient folklore, swirling auroras and an unexpectedly curious fox. | | | The Hubble Telescope appears as a tiny silhouette during a perfectly timed solar transit captured from Puerto Rico. | | | | Astronomy Kit and Accessories | | | The best telescopes for seeing planets can help you spot Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Mercury. | | | The best smart telescopes make viewing the universe a breeze. Treat yourself to our top picks from Unistellar, Celestron, Vaonis and more. | | | | Stay up-to-date on all things space science, news, and entertainment by subscribing to our newsletters. | |  | |  | Follow Night Sky This Week |  |  |  |  | | | | | Future US LLC © | | Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036. | | | | |
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