Stock Market 9 August 2025 - 14 August 2025

Three popular telescopes – Celestron’s NexStar 8SE, Apertura AD8 Dobsonian, and Unistellar’s eVscope 2 – offer very different paths to the stars. The NexStar 8SE is a computerized 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain, the Apertura AD8 is a manual 8-inch Dobsonian reflector, and the eVscope 2 is a 4.5-inch “smart” telescope with built-in imaging. All three can reveal the cosmos, but they differ in optics, technology, and user experience. In this comparison, we’ll explore optical performance, mounts and tracking, smart features, astrophotography, portability, setup, user experience, and maintenance for each scope. We’ll also include expert opinions, the latest updates, and what’s next from Celestron, Apertura, and Unistellar. Let’s see which telescope shines for your stargazing needs!

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover snapped images of bizarre, coral-shaped rocks on the Red Planet, offering a glimpse of Mars’ watery past sci.news sci.news. On its 4,608th Martian day of the mission, Curiosity’s camera captured a 5-cm feature nicknamed “Paposo” – a wind-eroded rock resembling a piece of coral in Gale Crater sci.news sci.news. Scientists say these delicate rock formations likely formed long ago when water percolated through cracks and left mineral deposits that were later sculpted by wind. “Curiosity has found many small features like these, which formed billions of years ago when liquid water still existed on Mars,” the mission team explained sci.news. Over eons, as water vanished, powerful Martian winds “wore away the surrounding rock, producing unique shapes” such as this coral-like structure sci.news. The finding is yet another reminder that Gale Crater once harbored liquid water – and perhaps the conditions for life – in Mars’ ancient past.

What’s the better way to explore the night sky – a classic 8-inch Dobsonian or a cutting-edge smart telescope? In this in-depth comparison, we pit two highly-regarded 8″ Dobsonian reflectors – the StellaLyra 8″ f/6 Dobsonian and the Apertura AD8 8″ Dobsonian – against the high-tech Vaonis Vespera II smart telescope. We’ll compare their optics, performance on deep-sky vs planetary targets, ease of use, accessories, smart features, pricing, and more. Whether you’re a beginner wondering where to invest or an intermediate astronomer weighing tradition vs technology, read on for a comprehensive breakdown to help find the best fit for your stargazing needs.

Choosing a telescope in 2025 can be daunting given the explosion of new technology and models. From classic mirror-based “light buckets” to cutting-edge smart telescopes, there’s something for every star enthusiast this year. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll pit the most popular telescopes of 2025 against each other. We cover consumer and professional-grade models across refractors, reflectors, and compound telescopes, highlighting their specifications, pros/cons, and ideal use cases side-by-side. Whether you’re a beginner aiming to glimpse Saturn’s rings or an advanced astrophotographer chasing distant galaxies, we have insights and expert commentary to guide you. We’ll also touch on current trends in the telescope market – including recent price changes and industry shake-ups – and peek at upcoming models that have astronomers buzzing. Let’s dive into the stars to find your perfect telescope.

From September 2025 through December 2026, skywatchers will be treated to an extraordinary parade of full moons – including multiple supermoons, an ultra-rare Blue Moon, and dramatic “blood moon” eclipses – all accompanied by rich cultural traditions worldwide. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll list every full moon date and name in this period, delve into the astronomical highlights, and explore how different societies celebrate these lunar events. You’ll discover which full moons are tied to harvest feasts, ancient legends, and even upcoming NASA missions. Read on for all the dates, facts, and folklore behind 2025–2026’s full moons – and why people around the globe will be looking up in wonder.

Mark your calendars for a must-see sky event on September 7, 2025. On this date the Moon will reach its full phase – and it won’t be a ordinary full moon. It coincides with a total lunar eclipse, meaning the Earth will pass directly between the Sun and the Moon, turning the Moon a deep red “Blood Moon” as it moves through Earth’s shadow earthsky.org skyatnightmagazine.com. This will be the second total lunar eclipse of 2025 and an especially long one: totality lasts roughly 82–83 minutes timeanddate.com moneycontrol.com. In fact, nearly 77% of the world’s population will have a chance to witness some or all of this eclipse, making it a truly global spectacle moneycontrol.com.