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Infographic: Astro Highlights in Autumn 2025

August 29 2025, Marcus Schenk

The nights are getting longer and the air is often clear: a good time to observe the sky. In autumn 2025, there will be special celestial events. Experience a total lunar eclipse, rare planetary conjunctions, or an occultation of the Pleiades.In the current infographic “Astro Highlights in Autumn 2025,” we have clearly compiled the most beautiful celestial events.Feel free to use the graphic on your website (with a link to www.astroshop.eu) and inform your visitors about the exciting upcoming events.

1.9. Venus meets the star cluster M44

On the morning of September 1, it is worth a look at the eastern sky: Venus is very close to the open star cluster M44, also known as Praesepe or the Beehive. The sight is already recognizable to the naked eye as a faint light spot right next to the prominent Venus. With binoculars, the stars of the cluster become clearly visible.

7.9. Total Lunar Eclipse

On the evening of September 7, a real highlight awaits you: a total lunar eclipse. For Central Europe, the timing is particularly favorable, as the moon rises already eclipsed. This means you will see the moon directly on the eastern horizon in the evening.

Times for Germany:

The eclipse begins even before moonrise, which occurs in Germany around 7:38 PM, depending on the location. At this point, the moon is in the midst of totality and appears noticeably reddish. It reaches maximum darkness around 7:30 PM, and the total phase ends at 8:53 PM.

For an unobstructed view, you should find a spot with a clear view to the east. Binoculars will show the lunar eclipse beautifully, but a telescope with a smartphone adapter is also great equipment for quickly capturing a photo.

8.9. Moon Meets Saturn

On the night of September 8th to 9th, the nearly full moon is near Saturn. Both objects are easy to find in the sky with the naked eye: the bright moon as a distinctive point and Saturn a little further away as a “star” that shines steadily.

This duo can be observed particularly beautifully through binoculars. You can recognize the planet as a small, yellowish disc – its rings appear as a thickening at low magnification. For many, this is a good opportunity to take out the telescope and examine the rings more clearly.

12.9. Moon covers Pleiades

On this night, our satellite covers the Seven Sisters, including all the bright main stars of the star cluster. It begins around 10 PM: The moon approaches from the eastern direction and first covers the star Electra. Then it continues to move – from its bright side – in front of the remaining companion stars. It’s best to observe all of this from an unobstructed location with a good horizon view. In addition to the interesting and quite rare occultation, it is the first harbinger of the winter sky, as the Pleiades officially belong to the constellation Taurus.

19.9. Venus meets Regulus

On the morning of September 19, it’s worth taking a look at the dawn sky. Venus is still the morning star and on this day is very close to the bright star Regulus in the constellation Leo. Nearby, you can also see the delicate crescent moon. Together, they create a beautiful trio in the sky.

If you are an early riser, this is your opportunity to capture the moment with your camera.

21.9. Saturn in Opposition

On September 21, Saturn is in opposition to the Sun. This means: Earth is positioned directly between the Sun and Saturn, and the ringed planet is visible all night long, reaching its greatest brightness. The special feature of the 2025 opposition: The rings are almost seen edge-on, making them hard to see and only about 2 degrees open. Even during twilight, the ringed planet rises above the eastern horizon and follows its apparent arc across the sky until dawn.

23.9. Neptune in Opposition

On September 23, Neptune reaches its opposition and stands favorably in the sky. This distant ice giant can be seen all night and appears in the telescope as a small, bluish disk.

Neptune is about magnitude 7.8, making it invisible to the naked eye. Binoculars show it as a faint point of light, but a telescope is needed for reliable identification. A star chart or app can help locate it in the constellation Aquarius.

2.10. Ceres in Opposition

On October 2, the dwarf planet Ceres reaches its opposition to the Sun. It is visible throughout the night and is particularly close to Earth. Ceres, with a brightness of 7.6 magnitude, can easily be found with binoculars or a small telescope. Ceres moves as an inconspicuous point of light through the constellation Cetus, but it is not visible to the naked eye. However, a simple pair of binoculars separates it from the fainter stars in its vicinity. Those who track its movement from night to night will recognize the typical motion of a planet against the backdrop of fixed stars.

5.10. Moon meets Saturn

On the evening of October 5th, the almost full moon passes by the ringed planet Saturn. Both are high in the sky and easily found with the naked eye. In a telescope, Saturn appears as a yellowish glowing disc. The narrow edge of the rings is only visible with a small aperture. Although the bright moon brightens the sky, it doesn’t matter for observing Saturn.

8.10. Draconids

The Draconids are a rather unknown meteor shower and reach their peak every year at the beginning of October. The name already reveals it: The meteors seem to come from the constellation Draco. This constellation is visible in the sky all night. The number of meteors varies greatly and always brings surprises. Normally, about ten meteors fall per hour, but in 2012, there were suddenly 400. What does that mean? It’s always worth taking a look at the sky, because perhaps a surprise is waiting. However, this year the moon will cause a brighter sky.

14.10. Moon meets Jupiter

In the second half of the night from October 13 to 14, the waning half moon meets the giant planet Jupiter. Both are in the constellation Gemini and are already conspicuous to the naked eye. You will see the moon as a bright half-circle and Jupiter as a shining point of light beside it.

19.10. Moon meets Venus

Early in the morning on October 19, the thin crescent moon is close to the bright Venus. Both can be seen well in the eastern sky. Together, they create a beautiful photographic motif.

22.10. Orionids

Meteor showers are a beautiful event for any enthusiastic stargazer, and the Orionids are no exception. Peaking from October 21 to 22, they promise about 25 to 30 meteors per hour. However, the number of shooting stars can vary from year to year. To catch the best view, set your alarm and look outside in the early morning hours. A must for all shooting star lovers.

2.11. Moon meets Saturn

On the evening of November 2, the Moon is near the planet Saturn. Both shine in the southeastern horizon already at dusk. The Moon is a prominent point of orientation, and Saturn is slightly to the west of it.

November: Saturn in Edge Position

In November 2025, Saturn’s rings will still be in edge position as seen from Earth. They will appear so narrow that they are hardly visible. This is a unique opportunity to observe Saturn without its ring system, even though the sight will be very unusual. Additionally, there will be two Titan transits in November. On November 6 and November 22, the moon Titan will pass across the gas giant.

9.11. Moon Meets Jupiter

On the night of November 9 to 10, the Moon moves past the planet Jupiter. The Moon appears as a large bright spot, and Jupiter looks like a very bright star.

A pair of binoculars or a telescope reveals even more details. On Jupiter, you can see two dark bands of clouds. Next to it are its four largest moons, arranged as small bright spots evenly spaced. The Moon also shows many craters, which are particularly visible along the terminator.

17.11. Leonid Meteor Shower

On the night of November 16 to 17, the Leonids reach their maximum, offering an impressive celestial event with up to 20 meteors per hour. This celestial event is a must for meteor fans.

The Leonids get their name from the constellation Leo, from which they appear to originate. The origin of this meteor shower lies in the comet Tempel-Tuttle, whose particles cause the meteor showers annually. Particularly noteworthy: every 33 years, the meteor stream condenses into a real meteor shower, producing far more than 20 meteors per hour – sometimes even up to several hundred per hour.

21.11. Uranus in Opposition

Uranus reaches its opposition. It shines with a brightness of 5.6 mag. Theoretically, you can see Uranus with the naked eye. In practice, however, it is better to use binoculars or a telescope. This way, you can clearly identify it.

To find Uranus, it is best to use a star map. Through a telescope, Uranus appears as a small, clear disc. It has a slightly greenish color.

25.11. Venus meets Mercury

On the morning of November 25th, Venus and Mercury will be close together at the southeast horizon. Both planets will be visible shortly before sunrise. Venus shines much brighter and thus helps with orientation. The observation is not easy, as it takes place very close to the horizon during dawn.

 

Perseids 2025: Nights of Shooting Stars in August

July 21 2025, Marcus Schenk

It’s that time of year again: The Perseids are coming! From the night of August 12th to the 13th, the famous summer shooting stars will once again reach their peak. There’s just one small drawback: this year, the bright, almost full moon will outshine many fainter meteors. Therefore, we need to focus our attention on the brighter ones.

Quick Tip: Lie down comfortably and look toward the east. You don’t need a telescope—just a dark sky, some patience, and perhaps a pair of binoculars.

Perfect for observing and photography:

With the Omegon 2.1×42 wide-field binoculars, you’ll spot more meteors than with the naked eye alone, while keeping things technically simple.

Want to photograph shooting stars? Then bring along a MiniTrack LX3 photo mount. It helps you create impressive astro-nightscapes.

For comfortable viewing, pack a camping chair, a warm blanket, and a thermos.

You’ll find more tips and background information in the magazine article “Successfully observing the Perseids: Here’s how” on Astroshop.

Sky highlight for early risers: The planetary parade in August 2025

July 21 2025, Marcus Schenk

Between August 15 and 31, the morning sky puts on its best show: Six planets line up in a row. A celestial highlight you shouldn’t miss. Especially great for beginners: four of them are visible to the naked eye, and the others can often be spotted with just binoculars or a small telescope.

Venus and Jupiter are competing in brightness. In mid-August, they appear close together, with their closest encounter happening on the 12th. Saturn shines with a steady golden-yellow glow, while Mercury is best seen around August 20. With binoculars, you can also spot Uranus and Neptune. If you have a telescope, you’ll be able to see even more detail.

The best time to observe: in the morning, about 1 to 1.5 hours before sunrise. With a bit of luck, you might also catch some shooting stars, as the Perseids are also active.
So grab your binoculars, align your telescope, and enjoy the spectacle while it’s visible in the sky.

Telescopes, a pair of binoculars or a star field viewer and other suitable accessories for your observation are of course available from us – feel free to browse through our products. Thanks to our fast shipping, in-stock items will arrive at your home within a few days.

Infographic: Astrohighlights Summer 2025

May 28 2025, Marcus Schenk

The summer of 2025 offers plenty of exciting highlights for skywatchers that shouldn’t be missed. Why? Simple: meteor showers, Mercury visible in the morning and evening skies, or even an occultation of the Pleiades. Whether with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope—there’s lots to discover once again. Here are the most beautiful astronomical events in June, July, and August.

June
June 1: Moon meets Mars

On the evening of June 1, the Moon positions itself between Mars and Regulus. The Moon is in its waxing phase, about six days old, and appears as a half-moon. The red planet Mars shines with a brightness of 1.2 mag, appearing as a distinctive reddish point in the sky. The two celestial bodies are about 4 degrees apart—a lovely constellation easily visible to the naked eye. Perfect for anyone wanting to say “hello” to the red planet again.

June 17: Mars meets Regulus

Mars and Regulus move closer together in the evening sky. The red Mars and the bluish main star of Leo form a striking color duo. Regulus, also known as Alpha Leonis, means “little king”—a fitting name for this bright star located right on the ecliptic. Because of this, it is frequently occulted by the Moon or planets.

June 23: Moon occults the Pleiades

A rare event: Early this morning, the Moon occults two stars of the Pleiades—Merope and Alcyone. Around 3:55 a.m. (CEST), Merope disappears behind the Moon, followed by Alcyone at 4:27 a.m. A clear view toward the northeastern horizon is essential. The Moon and Pleiades rise above the horizon starting at 3:30 a.m. After the occultation, the stars reappear on the far side of the Moon: Merope at 4:37 a.m., Alcyone at 4:59 a.m. By the end, it will already be quite bright outside—but still a great show for early birds.

June 27: Peak of the June Bootids

Today the June Bootid meteor shower reaches its peak. The number of meteors is variable and usually low—but still worth a look, especially since there have been years with surprisingly many shooting stars.

June 29: Saturn and Neptune close together

In the second half of the night, Saturn and Neptune come within just one degree of each other. This close encounter is ideal for a wide-angle eyepiece on a telescope or binoculars. A great opportunity to see both planets together in the same field of view.

June 29: Moon meets Mars

In the evening, a slender waxing crescent Moon stands just below Mars in the constellation Leo. Around 10 p.m., the Moon is about 17 degrees above the horizon. By then, it’s dark enough for good observation of the two celestial bodies.

July
July 5: The Golden Handle

Visible tonight: the “Golden Handle” on the Moon. This light phenomenon occurs when the rising Sun illuminates the mountain peaks of the Jura Mountains along the edge of Mare Imbrium, while the surrounding valley remains in darkness. The Moon is about 83 percent illuminated. A sight not to be missed.

July 16: Moon meets Saturn and Neptune

In the second half of the night, the Moon approaches the planets Saturn and Neptune to within about 3.5 degrees. A rewarding trio for large binoculars.

July 22: Moon meets Venus

Between yesterday and today, the Moon passed by bright Venus. Both are in the constellation Taurus. The fine crescent and the bright planet just above the horizon make for a great opportunity for a quick morning observation or a beautiful atmospheric photo.

July 23: Moon meets Jupiter

Just one day later (compared to the event on July 22), the Moon meets the giant planet Jupiter, currently in the constellation Gemini. The Moon is already 27.7 days old and thus very thin. To the delight of all deep-sky observers, it will become a new moon tomorrow.

July 25: Pluto in opposition

Pluto is in opposition today. The dwarf planet reaches a brightness of 14.4 mag—too faint for the naked eye, but photographically accessible with larger or smart telescopes. For visual observation, a finding chart is essential.

July 30: Peak of the Delta Aquariids

Watch for the Delta Aquariid meteors on July 30. These meteors appear in the region of the constellation Aquarius and reach a peak rate of 25 per hour. This year, the Moon won’t interfere much, as it sets early before the night really gets going. It’s a great time to pick a nice observation spot and prepare a hot tea.

August
August 12: Venus and Jupiter very close

In the morning sky, Venus and Jupiter are extremely close together today—less than 1 degree apart. That’s really rare! Venus shines at -4 mag, Jupiter at -1.9 mag. A fantastic sight that will impress you even with the naked eye.

August 12: Perseid meteor shower

The Perseids, as astronomers call them, streak abundantly across the sky this evening, and we watch the skies in anticipation. Perhaps we’ll spot some bright ones to enjoy especially. The media often promise a bombastic firework of 100 meteors per hour—a shower of shooting stars. That’s usually an exaggeration. But even without “hype,” the Perseids can be a sensual and fascinating experience for us. Unfortunately, the Moon’s bright light interferes this year, masking the fainter meteors. But no worries—there are still plenty of bright meteors waiting to be discovered.

August 19: Mercury at greatest western elongation

Speedy Mercury is at greatest western elongation today. This is now a good opportunity to spot it in the morning sky. The planet shines at -0.2 mag and is visible just above the eastern horizon shortly before sunrise.

August 20: Moon near Venus and Jupiter

An aesthetic trio: The ultra-thin crescent Moon (new moon is in three days) passes by Venus and Jupiter today. A wonderful subject for photographers.

August 21: Moon near Venus and Mercury

One day later, the Moon approaches Venus and Mercury. All three line up like pearls on a string above the eastern horizon. Tip: You’ll need an unobstructed view to the horizon to catch low-lying Mercury.

August 26: Asteroid Hebe in opposition

The asteroid Hebe is in opposition today, meaning it is directly opposite the Sun and optimally visible. Hebe is one of the brighter asteroids—a fascinating target with a telescope and finding chart.

 

Infographic: Astro Highlights in Spring 2025

March 5 2025, Marcus Schenk

Spring has arrived – bringing not just blossoming trees, but also a sky full of highlights! With a clear view up and a bit of planning, you can experience some stunning sights this Spring – even during the day. How about a partial Solar eclipse? Find out what else is going to be in store for you in our Astro Highlights for March, April, and May.

Do you have your own website and want to excite your visitors about the latest celestial events? Feel free to use our graphic – just include a link to www.astroshop.eu.

March 2025
March 1: Moon meets Venus and Mercury
In the early dusk you may witness a magical scene: The delicate crescent Moon – just illuminated by 4% – meets dazzling Venus and the elusive Mercury. Venus will shine brightly at -4.7 mag and is hard to be missed. Mercury, on the other hand, is low in the horizon, requiring an unobstructed westerly view. This conjunction is a fantastic kick-off event for the astronomical Spring.

March 9: Moon meets Mars
Tonight you can observe the red planet Mars close to the Moon. Mars with its characteristic reddish hue is currently crossing the Gemini constellation. Even with simple binoculars this encounter offers a beautiful sight. In addition, Mercury which reached its greatest eastern elongation yesterday, is particularly visible in the evening sky.

March 9: Golden Handle
Poetic, isn’t it? The Golden Handle is a striking lunar phenomenon visible in the late night of March 9th. It occurs when the rising Sun illuminates the edge of the Sinus Iridum crater, leaving surrounding areas in a shadow. This fascinating play of light and shadow on the Moon’s surface is a must-see.

March 14: Partial Lunar Eclipse
In the early morning hours there will be a partial lunar eclipse that is going to be visible only in its penumbral phase from Central Europe. The umbral phase begins at 6:09 AM CET, but by then the Moon will have already set. While this will limit its visibility, early risers may still find it worthwhile to behold.

March 20: Beginning of Spring
Astronomical Spring begins today. Day and night are nearly equal in length.

March 20: Moon occults π Sco
During these early morning hours the Moon approaches the star
π Sco, briefly eclipsing it from a view. Nearby the reddish Antares – Scorpio’s brightest star – shines brilliantly. This stellar occultation is going to be a thrilling event worth watching.

March 29: Partial Solar Eclipse
A partial solar eclipse is visible over Central Europe today, though with a relatively low coverage. The farther North you are, the greater the coverage. In London 24% of the Sun will be eclipsed; in Hamburg 20%; and in Munich about 10%. Eclipse times are as follows: Start at 11:20 AM CET, maximum at 12:10 PM CET, and end at 1:00 PM CET. Remember, only observe with suitable filters or special eclipse glasses!

April 2025
April 1: Moon meets Pleiades
In the evening the Moon will pair with the Pleiades, an open star cluster also known as the Seven Sisters. Only about one degree will then separate these celestial objects. The Pleiades are a cluster of young, hot stars visible to the naked eye. Their full beauty unfolds with binoculars or a telescope.

April 2: Moon meets Jupiter
Tonight the waxing Moon will approach Jupiter – the largest planet in our Solar system. You can already spot Jupiter’s four largest moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto as tiny points of light – even with binoculars.

April 5: Moon meets Mars
Mars and the Moon will both be high in the sky within the Gemini constellation during twighlight, easily to be spotted above Orion. Mars will shine at -1.5 mag, recognizable by its reddish glow.

April 22: Lyrid Meteor Shower
If you’ve never seen a meteor shower, then April 22nd is your chance to do so. The Lyrids are going to reach their peak today with up to 20 meteors per hour that may be visible. Originating from the comet Thatcher, these meteors are melting by the friction while falling through our Earth’s atmosphere, creating shooting stars. Overall conditions are going to be ideal this year, as the Moon won’t interfere.

April 25: Venus at maximum brightness
Venus will reach its peak brightness of -4.7 mag, resembling a spotlight in the sky. It’s going to be visible only during dawn, rising at 4:35 AM CET and staying above the horizon for about 1.5 hours before the Sun is going to take over. A slim crescent Moon joins Venus and dim Saturn at low latitudes on the horizon.

May 2025
May 1: Vesta at Opposition
The asteroid Vesta is at opposition to the Sun, making it particularly visible. Shining at a magnitude of 5.4, it’s bright enough to be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky. However, it appears star-like, so a finder chart or a GoTo telescope is recommended.

May 3: Moon meets M44 and Mars
The Moon crosses the ecliptic, occasionally approaching celestial objects like the open star cluster M44. Tonight you can admire M44 and Mars together through binoculars.

May 9: Venus meets Saturn

Venus and Saturn converge about 7° apart in the Eastern horizon today. In addition to this sight, the remote planet Neptune will be located between them. A rare chance to observe three planets in one field of view.

May 24: Moon meets Venus
A breathtaking display unfolds during dawn: The delicate crescent Moon, by 13% illuminated, will approach brilliant Venus.

May 28: Moon meets Jupiter
Clear skies reveal a slender crescent Moon meeting the gas giant Jupiter near the horizon.

We wish you many clear nights and delightful moments under the stars. Happy stargazing!

Spectacular Planetary Parade: Six planets in a row

February 12 2025, Marcus Schenk

Have you already admired the planets in the sky? If not, then it’s about time! Right now there’s a rare cosmic spectacle to behold: Six planets of our solar system are almost aligned in a straight line. Such a constellation is not an everyday occurrence – and the next comparable one won’t happen until 2040. So, grab your telescopes!

When and where can you see the planets?

The best time for observation is between 6:30 PM and 9:00 PM (CET).

Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn shine brightly enough to be seen with the naked eye. However, for Uranus and Neptune, you’ll need a telescope or at least a good pair of binoculars.

These planets are in alignment

Venus

The brightest of them all, easy to find in the Southwest. It remains visible until mid-March.

Jupiter

After dusk our largest planet appears prominently in the Southern sky and is the brightest object after Venus and the Moon.

Mars

Recognizable as a distinct red point in the Southeast, Mars becomes increasingly brighter throughout the month, reaching a magnitude of zero by March 11. At that point it will be as bright as the brightest stars.

Saturn

Currently still visible, but it is sinking lower towards the Western horizon. As the days pass it dissipates more into the twilight glow. Our “Lord of the Rings” is best to be observed until the end of February.

Uranus & Neptune

Uranus (between Taurus and Aries) remains visible until mid of April, while Neptune (between Venus and Saturn) disappears by mid-February.

Telescopes, binoculars or a star field viewer , as well as other suitable accessories for your observations, are of course available at our shop. Feel free to browse our products! Thanks to our fast shipping, in-stock items will arrive at your home within just a few days.