Jamie Carter
Jamie is an experienced science, technology and travel journalist and stargazer who writes about exploring the night sky, solar and lunar eclipses, moon-gazing, astro-travel, astronomy and space exploration. He is the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of A Stargazing Program For Beginners, and is a senior contributor at Forbes. His special skill is turning tech-babble into plain English.
Latest articles by Jamie Carter
![One of the best star trackers for astrophotography, the Star Adventurer Mini Composited in front of a starry sky landscape](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ovfGxVFo3wSSTj5kbYQGKE-320-80.jpg)
Best star trackers for astrophotography 2024
By Jamie Carter last updated
Buying Guide The best star trackers track the Earth's rotation, enabling you to shoot beautiful, sharp images of the night sky.
![graphic with night sky in large font and silhouettes of people below looking up at the night sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5X2sZoxaezNcaBdxcUyizS-320-80.jpg)
Night sky for tonight: Visible planets, stars and more in this evening's sky
By Jamie Carter last updated
Find out what you can see in the night sky for tonight, from planets and stars to dazzling meteor showers.
![Image shows a woman using one of the best monocular devices](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yXEE2qUs3gLAyTv5f4VecQ-320-80.jpg)
Best monocular 2024: Spot the top models on the market
By Jamie Carter last updated
Buying Guide The best monocular devices on the market offer a lightweight, portable alternative to binoculars for nature-watching or observing the stars.
![Nikon Trailblazer outside in the hands of the reviewer](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CmZY2XcyzbQxRCkNJfijvM-320-80.jpg)
Nikon Trailblazer 8x25 ATB compact binoculars review
By Jamie Carter published
Review Pocket-sized and portable, the Nikon Trailblazer 8x25 ATB waterproof binoculars are perfect for hiking and traveling.
![Lens filters laid on an orange and blue paper decorated table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ts9EcUGNMGadsWfftkpez9-320-80.jpg)
Best neutral density filters in 2024
By Jamie Carter last updated
Buying Guide The best neutral density filters adjust the light transmitted into your camera, allowing for better nighttime photography.
![A man with a lantern next to his camping tent is watching the Perseids meteor shower under a great century-old pine tree. Starry sky panorama with The Perseid meteor shower in a agricultural field. Milky Way on the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/enJT8VRpRKxfXGrbjaMnrM-320-80.jpg)
See brilliant Venus, exquisite Earthshine and the Perseid meteor shower peak this week
By Jamie Carter published
Here's how to see a dazzlingly bright Venus, an eerie view of Earthshine and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, this week.
![Image shows the rear cameras on one of the best camera phones Samsung camera phones](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WY9xxaCG6kcFTHMuw3PdcB-320-80.jpg)
Best camera phone 2024: Smartphones with stargazing capabilities
By Jamie Carter last updated
Buying guide We've rounded up the best camera phones based on their photography capabilities, including models from Apple, Samsung and Google.
![man looks down on the night view of the city at the top of the mountain](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tEiZbpWNqcBsmj5B5xFroC-320-80.jpg)
See the moon meet Mars, follow the Arc to Arcturus and keep your eyes peeled for meteors and more this week
By Jamie Carter published
Discover your night sky this week, July 29 — Aug. 4, 2024, using just your naked eyes, no equipment necessary.
![Little girl has a shocked expression while using one of the best binoculars for kids with a foliage backdrop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RKLWkUhirQxgz6pyj3uAL6-320-80.jpg)
Best binoculars for kids 2024: Small and lightweight binos for younger users
By Jamie Carter last updated
Buying Guide The best binoculars for kids offer great views in a package suitable for smaller hands and faces.
![Saturn with six of it's moons hanging in space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RikCYZSfBt9HKDgEfKEqHa-320-80.jpg)
See the moon and Saturn meet up in the night sky tonight
By Jamie Carter published
Look east before midnight on July 23 and 24 to see a waning gibbous moon close to the ringed planet.
![two people sitting down and looking at the night sky with the naked eye, the person on the right is pointing up at the stars.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RKZU5gYYffpySzSdtythHm-320-80.jpg)
See the moon meet Saturn, watch for shooting stars and find the Northern Crown this week
By Jamie Carter last updated
Check out these stargazing targets that you can see with the naked eye this week (July 22 to July 28), from planetary meet-ups to meteor showers and more!
![silhouettes of two children looking up at the night sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Byse2YCg4fWyguzYhRAKxH-320-80.jpg)
Look up! See the Perseid meteor shower, Full Thunder Moon and more this week
By Jamie Carter published
Discover your night sky this week, July 15-21, 2024, using just your naked eyes.
![the sun sets between two buildings at the end of a busy city street](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VG7vTohBK5V4LEMac72Hrh-320-80.jpg)
How, when and where to see 2024's second 'Manhattanhenge' this week
By Jamie Carter published
New Yorkers can view 2024's third and fourth "Manhattanhenge" moments at sunset on two nights this weekend.
![The best star projectors grouped in front of a starry backdrop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5ayNqDQxL7WkrdPyGwMoaK-320-80.jpg)
Best star projectors 2024: From night lights to home planetariums
By Jamie Carter last updated
Buying Guide We've rounded up the best star projectors including home planetariums, ambient lights and educational tools to set you enjoy the night sky from the comfort of your couch.
![Total solar eclipse over the Grand Tetons as seen from the Teton Valley in Idaho, near Driggs. This is from a 700-frame time-lapse and is of third contact just as the second diamond ring is starting and the dark shadow of the Moon is receding to the east at left. The sky is darker to the left but the foregound is beginning to light up as the sky to the west off camera to the right brightens and lights the scene. Jupiter is just above the Tetons at bottom.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/waLjS3bB2XYk9mvw2WcQFm-320-80.jpg)
10 tips for planning your 2026 solar eclipse trip
By Jamie Carter published
Check out these 10 top tips for planning your eclipse experience to make sure you get the most out of the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026.
![Sigüenza is a city in the Serranía de Guadalajara comarca. The large stone building at sunset with two trees framing the upper corners of the image.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sUMWhKQhjncoHYTp9ofWqU-320-80.jpg)
16 best places to see the 2026 total solar eclipse
By Jamie Carter published
Here are 16 of the best places to see the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026. The eclipse will be visible from remote Russian Siberia to eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain.
![The iconic Earthrise image from the astronauts of NASA's Apollo 8 mission taken on Dec. 24, 1968.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/k5CzJUhk4wbjHtXH4Z7gbL-320-80.jpg)
Space photo of the week: 'Earthrise,' the Christmas Eve image that changed the world
By Jamie Carter published
Snapped from lunar orbit in 1968 by NASA astronaut Bill Anders, who died this week at age 90, 'Earthrise' is perhaps the most iconic image of our planet ever taken.
![a full moon hangs in a dark blue sky with the silhouettes of tree branches on the left](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8m8Qe3oYAjiRSaboBeGqtn-320-80.jpg)
The 1st 'major lunar standstill' in more than 18 years is about to occur. Here's how to see it
By Jamie Carter published
A major lunar standstill is about to occur. The phenomenon happens every 18.6 years when the moon rises and sets at its most extreme points on the horizon, while also climbing to its highest and lowest point in the sky.
![Summer triangle and meteors observed from Grünstadt, Germany](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fmHxNa8HyGX9fEZb9jE5EH-320-80.jpg)
Three bright stars mark the beginning of summer. Here's how to spot the 'Summer Triangle' this week.
By Jamie Carter published
The appearance this week of the three bright Summer Triangle stars — Vega, Deneb and Altair — marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Here's how to spot them.
![map showing the path of totality over the northern tip of Africa and southern Spain.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tvszfABHnupc7Qd9WhBfJk-320-80.jpg)
10 top tips for planning your 2027 solar eclipse trip
By Jamie Carter published
From understanding the weather to seeing the Milky Way, here's how to plan a trip to see the total solar eclipse on Aug. 2, 2027.
![A yellow orb is seen with a disk of gas around it.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x5cJsfwoB6rLzwUsitGDmG-320-80.gif)
A 'new star' could appear in the sky any night now. Here's how to see the Blaze Star ignite
By Jamie Carter published
T Coronae Borealis will erupt with a magnificent explosion sometime between now and September, becoming visible to the unaided eye. Here's how to find it when it does.
![best places to see total solar eclipse 2027 . There is a gif animation scrolling through several photos of locations where the eclipse is visible from.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/emoajtYjQRiRP8p3segwwR-320-80.gif)
16 best places to see the 2027 total solar eclipse
By Jamie Carter published
Here are the best scenic spots and ideal locations across Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East to see the total solar eclipse on Aug. 2, 2027.
![Product photo of the Kase Wolverine Natural Night Light Pollution Filter one of the best light pollution filters](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qnUTLKAkDFivDN6zEnzMvk-320-80.jpg)
Best light pollution filters for astrophotography 2024
By Jamie Carter last updated
Buying Guide The best light pollution filters for astrophotography can reduce skyglow, provide vibrant contrast in your images and eliminate unattractive color casts.