Observations

Infographic: Astronomical highlights in spring 2026

February 27 2026, Marcus Schenk

Temperatures are rising and the first rays of sunshine are drawing even couch astronomers back outside. Now is the perfect moment to look up at the sky once again. In the west, the familiar stars of winter are slowly setting. At the same time, the first stars of spring are already rising above the eastern horizon. It’s almost like a cosmic relay handover. The next three months offer rare moments in the sky.
Particularly fascinating: The Moon moves directly in front of the bright star Regulus. Our “Astro Highlights Spring 2026” show you all the important dates: The graphic presents the key dates at a glance, followed by a detailed description of the celestial events in the text below.
If you like, you can share the graphic on your own website. In that case, please include a link to www.astroshop.eu. Enjoy discovering!

March

08/03/2026 Venus meets Saturn
Just above the western horizon, the planets Venus and Saturn meet on March 8. While Venus shines brightly at -3.9 mag, Saturn appears much more subdued and almost delicate beside it. This contrast makes the encounter especially picturesque.
Nearby, the distant planet Neptune is also present. However, due to the bright twilight sky, it remains invisible and usually eludes observation even through a telescope.

10/03/2026 Moon meets Antares
In the early morning hours of March 10, the waning Moon approaches the main star of Scorpius: Antares. It is a red supergiant that shines brightly with a reddish glow in the night sky. With a diameter 700 times larger than our Sun, it would swallow several planets, including Earth, if it were in the place of our home star.

20/03/2026 Moon meets Venus
At dusk, they make a beautiful pair: the Moon and Venus. Both can be seen shortly after sunset just above the western horizon. The waxing crescent Moon is illuminated by only 3.5% and is just two days old. Both celestial bodies appear delicate against the blue twilight sky.

23/03/2026 Moon meets the Pleiades and Aldebaran
Even before it gets completely dark, we spot the crescent Moon above the western horizon. As darkness falls, the two bright stars Aldebaran and Capella appear nearby. About 5 degrees from the Moon, you can recognize the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades. Compared to the Moon, they appear almost filigree.

28/03/2026 Golden Handle on the Moon
At the end of March, the Moon once again shows one of its most beautiful sights: the Golden Handle becomes visible. This is a light phenomenon and offers something different from simply observing craters.
The shallow illumination near the lunar terminator creates a beautiful interplay of light and shadow. Over several hours, the peaks of the Montes Jura are illuminated by the Sun’s rays while the small plain of Sinus Iridum still lies in shadow. In the darkness, a delicate arc of light appears, resembling a golden handle.

29/03/2026 Moon occults Regulus
The waxing Moon occults the bright star Regulus in the constellation Leo. It is a striking event because Regulus, at magnitude 1.3, is one of the brightest stars in the sky. Astronomically speaking, this event occurs relatively often, as Regulus lies close to the Moon’s ecliptic path. When the Moon happens to be at exactly the same height along its orbit, an occultation occurs.
Binoculars or a small telescope are sufficient to follow the event. It begins at 20:20, when the star disappears behind the still unilluminated side of the Moon. About 1 hour and 20 minutes later, Regulus reappears shining from the other side of the Moon.

April

02/04/2026 Moon meets Spica
Spica is a massive blue star, a variable star and also a binary system. At a distance of 262 light-years, with 13,000 times the Sun’s luminosity and 7.5 times the Sun’s radius, it ranks sixteenth among the brightest stars in the sky.
At Spica’s position, Virgo holds an ear of wheat in her left hand—hence the star’s Latin name. On April 2, the Moon is nearby.

07/04/2026 Moon meets Antares
In the middle of the second half of the night, the constellation Scorpius rises above the horizon. We are currently enjoying spring—but in the early morning hours, we get a taste of the next season: summer. Scorpius lies within the summer Milky Way and neighbors Sagittarius. In Central Europe, Scorpius is known as a “horizon crawler,” as only part of the constellation rises above the horizon. The famous stinger of the Scorpion, which brought about Orion’s downfall, remains below our horizon. Tonight, the Moon is very close to the main star Antares.

19/04/2026 Moon meets Venus and the Pleiades
Clear skies and an unobstructed horizon? Then use the evening twilight for a quick observation or an atmospheric photo. Tonight in the west, the extremely thin crescent Moon appears near the Pleiades and the planet Venus. The distant Uranus also glimmers between the two celestial highlights.

22/04/2026 Lyrids
The Lyrids are a meteor shower that produces only 10 to 20 meteors per hour at its peak on April 22. During the optimal observing time between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., we can observe them this year without Moon interference only in the second half of the night. The Moon sets at 2:46 a.m. and is positioned on the opposite side of the sky from the radiant in Lyra. Even before that, it is low enough on the horizon to cause minimal disturbance.

22/04/2026 Moon meets Jupiter
Right after the meteor shower, another spectacle appears: During the night of April 22–23, the Moon passes above the king of the planets. Until they set, they approach each other to within about 2.5 degrees.

23/04/2026 Venus meets the Pleiades & Uranus
Venus and Uranus in a single field of view? Few have probably tried this—but it is indeed possible on April 23. On this night, they approach each other to within 42 arcminutes—close enough to observe them together in a 2″ wide-angle eyepiece.

May

04/05/2026 Moon meets Antares
On the morning of May 4, the Moon once again approaches the star Antares in Scorpius. If you missed it in March, you now have another chance. The event is ideal for early risers. What else is interesting about Scorpius? You can find that a little further up in the text.

05/05/2026 Eta Aquariids
In the second half of the night, we once again see a meteor shower. The Eta Aquariids appear to originate from the constellation Aquarius and leave long, bright trails across the sky. However, Aquarius rises only around 3:00 a.m. and barely climbs above the horizon in Central Europe. Nevertheless, we can still catch some bright meteors. Average rates range between 20 and 60 per hour.

14/05/2026 Moon meets Saturn
The Moon frequently pays our planets a visit. On May 14, the slender crescent visits Saturn. Such encounters are truly beautiful sights—and a wonderful opportunity for an atmospheric photo with a stationary camera and lens. Early in the morning, a clear view of the eastern horizon is required.

19/05/2026 Moon meets Venus & Jupiter
As twilight falls on May 19, an inviting celestial gathering awaits us. Low above the western horizon around 10:00 p.m., three striking celestial bodies assemble in the constellation Gemini: the Moon, Venus and Jupiter.

The Moon appears as a delicate waxing crescent, illuminated by about 13 percent. To its right shines Venus, the brightest planet in the night sky. On the other side, Jupiter glows with a slightly yellowish light. With a brightness of -3.9 mag, Venus clearly outshines the gas giant, which still reaches -1.9 mag. A direct comparison of these two planets is rarely this easy. The spectacle is especially beautiful during evening twilight—a perfect backdrop for a photo.

26/05/2026 Golden Handle
On the evening of May 26, we can observe the Golden Handle on the Moon. It appears when the waxing Moon is illuminated to exactly 83 percent—about 10 days after new Moon. The light phenomenon takes place, and on the dark side of the Moon’s light-shadow boundary, a handle-shaped arc emerges.

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Planet Party in the Sky: 6 Worlds in One Night

February 6 2026, Marcus Schenk

The sky is putting on a show. Between February 24 and March 2, six planets will gather in the sky at the same time. It’s a cosmic parade that rarely occurs: Venus shines like a spotlight, Jupiter reigns in the south, and even swift Mercury dares to emerge from hiding. But the best thing you can do is look up yourself.

When and where can you see the planets?

The observation window is clear: it lies between sunset and about 9:30 PM (CET). If the sky is clear, you’ll be able to spot Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn with the naked eye. Mercury is a bit more challenging, as it hugs the horizon. For Uranus and Neptune, you’ll need binoculars or a telescope.

Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn shine brightly enough to be seen without any aids. Mercury is also visible, but it’s a challenge near the horizon. For Uranus and Neptune, binoculars or a telescope are a must.

These planets are lined up

Mercury: Mercury had its evening visibility peak in February and still skims low along the western horizon. It appears nearly at the same height as Venus, just about 5 degrees apart. Simply grab a pair of binoculars and pan slightly to the right. And bingo! There it is, glowing in your field of view. Very important: choose a location with a completely unobstructed view of the horizon. But don’t wait too long—both planets dip below the horizon around 7 PM.

Venus: Venus beams like a cosmic spotlight low in the southwest and naturally draws the eye. It will remain our loyal companion 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.

Saturn: Saturn is still visible but is leaning heavily toward the western horizon. In just a few days, it will fade into the twilight.

Uranus & Neptune: Uranus (between Taurus and Aries) remains visible until mid-April. Neptune is less than a degree to the right of Saturn—a perfect opportunity to catch both planets through a telescope.

It’s best to grab your favorite stargazing app to pinpoint the exact positions in the sky.

You’ll find telescopes, a pair of binoculars, or astronomical glasses and other suitable accessories for your observations right here in our shop—feel free to browse our product range. Thanks to our fast shipping, in-stock items will arrive at your doorstep within just a few days.

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Infographic: Astronomy Highlights Winter 2025/26

November 27 2025, Marcus Schenk

The winter draws near and with it the darkest time of the year. Already in the early evening the Winter Hexagon sparkles in the sky and invites you to observe. In the coming three months there is much to discover in the heavens: from the Geminids without disturbing moon‑light to the bright Jupiter and even a small planetary parade in February. Our new astro‑highlights guide you through this time: month by month, star by star.

If you like, you are welcome to embed the graphic on your own website. Please link it then to www.astroshop.eu

December

4 Dec. Moon meets the Pleiades
In the early morning hours the nearly full Moon passes through the constellation Taurus and encounters the Pleiades, one of the most beautiful open star clusters of the winter sky. In binoculars the close encounter appears particularly impressive. Even with the bare eye you recognize the group as a small, sparkling star‑nest next to the Moon. Around 4 a.m. the constellation stands high in the sky and offers a mood‑filled start to the winter observations.

7 Dec. Mercury at greatest western elongation
Shortly before sunrise the otherwise shy Mercury shows itself. At the beginning of December it reaches its greatest western elongation, i.e., the largest separation from the Sun, and thus stands particularly favorably in the morning sky. From about 6:30 a.m. you spot it deep above the south‑eastern horizon, as a small, bright point in the first light of dawn. A clear horizon view is essential, because the time window is short before the Sun outshines it. For early risers the view pays off: Mercury appears as distinctly as hardly any other time of the year.

14 Dec. Maximum of the Geminids
On the night from 13 to 14 December you have, with a bit of weather luck, the chance to admire the most famous winter meteors. This active meteor stream reaches its maximum, and the conditions this year are almost perfect: the Moon hardly disturbs, the sky remains deep dark for most of the time. From midnight the radiant rises high in the sky, and the activity increases once again. Under good conditions you could theoretically count up to 80 meteors per hour. In practice there will be fewer, yet every bright meteor is a moment, right?

21 Dec. Start of winter
Here it is: Winter begins, and at 16:00 the Sun descends as deeply as it never does all year. The day bids farewell early and the night stretches across the remaining hours. For many stargazers this is the finest time of the year: Long nights invite you to set up the telescope after work. From now on the light also returns slowly – barely noticeable, yet a little more each day.

22 Dec. Ursids
Hardly are the Geminids over, the next meteor stream is already on deck. On the night from 22 to 23 December the Ursids reach their maximum. This is a small but fine meteor stream, appearing to come from the constellation Ursa Minor. With about ten meteors per hour it offers no spectacle, but rather a modest finale. In this year no moonlight disturbs, and in the long winter nights you can take your time.

31 Dec. Moon meets the Pleiades
Late in the afternoon dusk sets in, and you discover the bright Moon exactly above the eastern horizon. If the sky is clear, the two bright stars Aldebaran and Capella appear close by. Next to the Moon, at about 1.5 degrees distance, you recognise the Pleiades. In comparison to the Moon they appear almost delicate. By the way: If you raise a glass at midnight, above you shines the bright Jupiter, which reaches opposition in January.

January

3 Jan. Quadrantids
Hardly has the new year begun, meteors again streak across the sky. On the night from 3 to 4 January the Quadrantids reach their maximum. Their radiant lies in the modest constellation Boötes, near the star Arcturus, and only rises higher after midnight.

3 Jan. Moon meets Jupiter
Right after the meteor shower another spectacle shows: On the night from 3 to 4 January the Moon passes near the planet Jupiter. Around 10 p.m. the two celestial bodies stand about three degrees apart. You notice that with the bare eye.

6 Jan. Moon meets Regulus
Late in the evening the waning Moon traverses the constellation Leo and encounters Regulus, the constellation’s brightest star. A star‑occultation by the Moon even takes place, which you cannot follow because Regulus still lies below the horizon at that moment. In binoculars the two bodies later appear splendidly.

10 Jan. Jupiter at opposition
Today Jupiter stands in opposition to the Sun. Now it lies closest to Earth and is visible all night long. Once the Sun sets, Jupiter ascends in the east and reaches its highest point in the south around midnight. With a brightness of about −2.7 mag it outshines every constellation and dominates the winter sky. Even in binoculars you recognise its four Galilean moons as tiny points of light shifting night by night. In a telescope you see its cloud‑covered atmosphere with its typical belts – and perhaps the “Great Red Spot” if it happens to be visible.

23 Jan. Moon meets Saturn
In the early evening the crescent Moon passes by Saturn – a beautiful sight during dusk. Around 6 p.m. the two stand in the southwest, about five degrees apart. The ring planet shines as a yellowish point, while the Moon hovers directly above. With binoculars you see both comfortably in the same field of view, and in a telescope the fine rings of Saturn already show at modest magnification. For many this is the last good chance to observe the planet before it sinks deeper into the dusk in February.

27 Jan. Moon meets the Pleiades
On this night the Moon again passes the Pleiades and comes especially close to the cluster. Around 10 p.m. both stand in the constellation Taurus, only a few arc‑minutes apart. At about 10:35 CET the Moon even occults the 4.3 mag bright star 19 Tau with its dark side. Tip: Times and whether an occultation occurs depend on location in Europe. Even with the bare eye you easily notice the Moon–Pleiades approach if the sky is clear. A familiar sight for many amateur astronomers – yet still fascinating.

30 Jan. Moon meets Jupiter
At month’s end two of the most noticeable objects in the sky meet: the bright Moon and Jupiter. Late in the evening they stand together in the constellation Gemini and catch the eye effortlessly. Not far away the stars Castor and Pollux glitter and frame the scene.

February

3 Feb. Moon meets Regulus
On this evening the Moon again traverses the constellation Leo and passes Regulus at exceptionally close distance. Only at about 5 a.m. the closest approach at approximately ten arc‑minutes occurs. That is extremely close and thus definitely worth looking.

7 Feb. Moon meets Spica
In the second half of the night (i.e., the night of 6/7 February) the waning Moon meets the bright main star of the constellation Virgo: Spica. Shortly before sunrise both stand deep above the south‑eastern horizon, only somewhat more than two degrees apart.

11 Feb. Moon meets Antares
Before dawn the Moon crosses the constellation Scorpius and approaches the reddish glowing Antares. Around four a.m. both appear above the south‑eastern horizon. Antares – a red super‑giant and the heart of the Scorpion.

18 Feb. Moon meets Mercury and Venus
On 18 February the Moon approaches the two planets Mercury and Venus, which stand in the evening dusk directly above the western horizon. This evening proves special, because the already delicate young lunar crescent is only 1.5 % illuminated, for the new Moon occurred just yesterday. That creates a beautiful mood‑portrait.

19 Feb. Moon meets Mercury and Saturn
A lovely trio shows up in the early evening deep above the western horizon. The young Moon stands in the dusk snugly between Mercury and Saturn. Both planets remain hard to catch, because the dusk dominates. Yet if you start observing early you also discover Venus right over the horizon.

27 Feb. Moon meets Jupiter
Toward month’s end the Moon and Jupiter meet again, this time high in the constellation Gemini. Already in the early evening both are unmistakable: the two brightest objects of the sky close together.

28 Feb. Small planetary parade
As a finale you face a rare spectacle. Shortly after sunset several planets line up along the ecliptic. Mercury and Venus very low in the west, a little higher Saturn and invisible beside it Neptune. High in Gemini shines Jupiter and in Taurus the faint Uranus. You see: everything present here, yet the parade demands effort: Some planets stand low and fade quickly in the dusk. If you bring patience and pick a spot with perfect horizon view, then you may discover several planets with binoculars.

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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.

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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.

Tags: binoculars, Astrophotography
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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.

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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.

Tags: Astrohighlights
Posted in Observations|Observations »

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!

Tags: Astrohighlights
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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.

Tags: planets
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