Space.com is celebrating its 25th birthday this week, and to mark the occasion, they have compiled a list of 25 fascinating objects in the night sky beyond the moon and stars. From the moon to Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus, Neptune, Uranus, and even the Milky Way, there are plenty of celestial marvels to wonder at.
The moon, our closest celestial neighbor, is a beautiful sight to behold with the naked eye, but a telescope can reveal even more details like lunar mare and impact craters. Jupiter, the giant gas planet with its four largest moons, can be easily spotted with binoculars or a telescope. Mars, the Red Planet, will be at its brightest on New Year’s Eve this year, making it a great time for skywatchers to catch a glimpse.
Saturn, known for its iconic rings, is best viewed between August 25 and October 1. Venus, always shining brightly in the sky, can be seen in the western sky from July 30 to December 31. Neptune and Uranus, the distant ice giants, can also be spotted with binoculars or a telescope.
Beyond our solar system, skywatchers can marvel at the Andromeda Galaxy, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, Bode’s Galaxy, The Cigar Galaxy, The Whirlpool Galaxy, the Pleiades star cluster, and the Great Cluster in Hercules. The Horsehead Nebula, known for its difficulty in spotting with amateur telescopes, is a true boss-level cosmic object to observe.
In addition to these celestial wonders, skywatchers can also look out for the International Space Station and SpaceX’s Starlink satellite train streaking across the night sky. With the right tools and knowledge, stargazers can explore the vast wonders of the universe right from their backyard. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or a beginner, there’s always something new and fascinating to discover in the night sky.
