Skywatching
Observing celestial events and phenomena
Latest stories
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NASA wants your cloud photos
A new citizen-science project is asking people to photograph the sky as a NASA satellite passes overhead.
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SpaceX Starlink launch visible in NC skies Tuesday morning
Early risers were able to watch as SpaceX launched from Cape Canaveral Tuesday morning.
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Look up for a partial lunar eclipse tonight
A partial lunar eclipse will be visible beginning Thursday night, with nearly 96% of the Moon entering Earth’s darkest shadow around 12:13 a.m. Friday.
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Down in front! Look up Wednesday afternoon to see Venus disapear behind the Moon
Skywatchers across North Carolina can witness a rare daytime lunar occultation of Venus on Wednesday as the crescent Moon passes in front of the brilliant planet between 3:47 p.m and 5:15 p.m.
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Why February's "parade of planets" might disappoint
Yes, there will be six planets above the horizon on Feb. 28, 2026. No, you won't be able to see them with the naked eye. But you can see the best of them starting Monday.
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Positive particles prove negative for aurora sightings in NC
A G4 geomagnetic storm directed toward Earth could result in aurora viewing in North Carolina Monday night.
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Round 2: Northern Lights may shine again in Wednesday night sky
After an impressive showing Tuesday night, the Aurora may once again put on a show Wednesday night. But there's one caveat.
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Northern Lights visible Tuesday night across parts of North Carolina
A pair of coronal mass ejections heading toward Earth produced the aurora farther south, but there are some question marks too.
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Space weather like Tuesday's double solar whammy is hard to predict
Space weather forecasters are watching for a pair of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) to arrive Tuesday night.
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Look up Wednesday for the super moon
November's super moon will the closest, and therefore, brightest of 2025. December's will appear about as bright as well.
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Saturn at opposition: 2025's best views of the ringed planet
Saturn reaches opposition, offering the best views of the year. This week's new moon make for the best conditions.
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Six planets are hanging out in early morning skies this month. Here's how to spot them
Six planets are hanging out in the sky this month in what's known as a planetary parade. Catch the spectacle while you can because it's the last one of the year.
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A look at the first artificial solar eclipses created by two European satellites
A pair of European satellites have created the first artificial solar eclipses by flying in precise and fancy formation, providing hours of on-demand totality for scientists.
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Bright meteors visible in Carolina skies, and behind WRAL anchors
A bright meteor was visible before 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night and another was captured by WRAL's camera overlooking the Downtown Cary Park before sunrise Wednesday morning.
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The moon won't quite be smiling: Here's how reality compares to the social meme
Venus and Saturn will be just above the Moon before sunrise Friday, but won't match the perfect smiling face look in social media claims.
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How to catch the shooting stars of spring's first meteor shower, the Lyrids
When the Lyrid meteor shower reaches its peak, it will be spring's first chance to see shooting stars.
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Geminid meteor shower may be outshined by almost-full moon
The Geminids -- among the few major meteor showers to come from asteroids -- peak on Friday. It's one of the year's last chances to see fireballs in the sky.
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How to catch the Geminids, one of the strongest meteor showers of the year
The Geminids — among the few major meteor showers to come from asteroids — will be visible until Dec. 21, although peak viewing was on Dec. 13. Here’s what to know about the Geminids and other meteor showers. It's one of the year's last chances to see fireballs in the sky.
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Astronomers watch for zombie star to rise again
A long-dead star is set to go nova soon, making it visible in the evening sky for a short time.
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As skies clear, look west for Comet A3
Wednesday's weather will make for the best time to see Comet A3.
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Spectacular skies: Best of the northern lights
NBC's George Solis reports on this weekend's northern lights spectacular.
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The night sky will have a multitude of delights in store for stargazers in 2024. What to look for
A total solar eclipse will travel across the United States in April.
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Incredibly rare: Northern Lights dazzle in North Carolina overnight
An Asheville photographer captured an incredibly rare event Thursday night: The Northern Lights, typically not visible this far south, dazzling in the starry, purple North Carolina skies.
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Look up for a rocket launch from Virginia on Tuesday night
A rocket is scheduled to launch from the Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore during a window from 6-8 pm on Tuesday, Jan 24.. The launch could be visible from the Carolinas to New England.
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Look for the Moon to point out Jupiter and Saturn Friday night
The Moon has been sliding toward Saturn and Jupiter all week, look for it between these outer planets around 10 p.m. on Friday night
