The Local Group is our galactic neighborhood

What is the Local Group? It's a collection of the nearest galaxies in space. Read more about these neighbors of our home Milky Way galaxy.

Triangulum galaxy is 2nd-closest to Milky Way

The Triangulum Galaxy, aka M33, is the farthest object you can see with the unaided eye, if in fact you can see it. But seeing it is a challenge.

Double Cluster in Perseus on October evenings

The Double Cluster in Perseus is a breathtaking pair of star clusters, easy to see in October. Here's how to find it in your sky.

Do the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds need new names?

Should the Magellanic Clouds be renamed? These 2 satellite galaxies of the Milky Way were originally named for Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer.

Andromeda galaxy: All you need to know

The Andromeda galaxy is the closest big galaxy to our Milky Way. At 2.5 million light-years, it's the most distant thing you can see with the eye alone.

The Great Rift is a dark swath in the Milky Way

The Great Rift or Dark Rift is a darkened swath of the Milky Way where new stars are forming. It's best seen from a rural location away from light pollution.

Explore the Lagoon Nebula, M8, in Sagittarius

The Lagoon Nebula, or Messier 8, is a large emission nebula in the constellation Sagittarius that observers can explore with binoculars.

The Wild Duck Cluster, M11, a lovely open cluster in Scutum

The Wild Duck Cluster, also known as M11, is an open star cluster in the constellation Scutum that appears best through binoculars or a telescope.

Find M4: An easy to spot globular cluster near Antares

Find M4, one of the easiest globular star for beginners to spot, located just next to reddish Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius the Scorpion.

The Omega Nebula is a star-forming region

The Omega Nebula, also known as the Swan Nebula or M17, is visible through binoculars and glorious through a telescope. Here's how to find it.