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This week's sky is both a treat for early risers and night owls.
Before dawn, a delicate crescent moon joins Saturn and Mars low in the eastern sky, creating one of the prettiest (and challenging) planetary meetups of the month. Then, as the weekend arrives and moonlight fades, darker skies open the door to one of the most breathtaking sights in astronomy — the glowing band of the Milky Way stretching across the night sky.
Elsewhere in this issue, we're comparing the spectacular total solar eclipses of 2026 and 2027 to help you decide which one is worth the trip, while also uncovering 10 hidden spots across Spain for those hoping to escape the crowds during this year's eclipse. We're also diving into four hidden myths in May's night sky and sharing some of the easiest star hops beginners can use to learn the constellations — no app required.
Let's take a look at what to watch for this week.
Daisy Dobrijevic
Skywatching Editor
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| (Starry Night) |
A thin crescent moon joins Saturn and Mars low over the eastern horizon before sunrise. Binoculars will frame all three together nicely.
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| (Starry Night) |
Look east before dawn to spot an ultra-thin crescent moon glowing close to reddish Mars — a beautiful pairing best enjoyed with binoculars.
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| (Starry Night) |
With the moon out of the evening sky, this is the perfect weekend to escape the city lights and look for the glowing band of the Milky Way arching overhead after midnight.
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| (Starry Night) |
Try hunting down the famous galaxy duo Bode's Galaxy and Cigar Galaxy in Ursa Major — one of the best deep-sky pairings visible in backyard telescopes.
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The moon reaches its new phase on Saturday, May 16, leaving skies dark and ideal for deep-sky observing.
Without bright moonlight washing out the sky, it's one of the best nights of the month to search for galaxies, star clusters and the faintly glowing Milky Way from a dark-sky location. 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.
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Forget apps — May's bright stars and classic spring constellations make this the perfect time to learn the sky the old-fashioned way, one star-hop at a time.
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Discover the tales behind four famous spring constellations.
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From volcanic landscapes and a sunset eclipse to six-minute totality, here are the pros and cons of the next two total solar eclipses.
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From desert badlands to hilltop villages, these off-the-beaten-track locations offer clear views of Spain's rare sunset total solar eclipse.
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The latest aurora forecast for tonight helps you make sure you're in the right place at the right time to see the northern lights.
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Photos from around the space team.
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| Astronomy Kit and Accessories |
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Nikon's new Action 7x50 binoculars: A good buy for astronomy novices
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We've scoped out the best telescope deals available this year featuring top models from reputable retailers.
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