The NBAS Archive

The collection of NBAS member articles, club activities, and astronomical news.

Smart Scope Challenge: Haumea and Makemake

PLANETS: Haumea, Makemake

By Bob Donahue | May 28, 2026

Two dwarf planets near opposition

Guess the Planet!

By NBAS Staff | May 26, 2026

Match the planet up with one of its characteristics!

Skill Level: Beginner

Touch the Stars

By Bob Donahue | May 23, 2026

Bringing Astronomy to Everyone

Identify types of Deep Sky Objects!

By NBAS Staff | May 19, 2026

Can you identify different types of Deep Sky Objects (DSOs)?

Skill Level: Beginner

Altitude, Azimuth, and Air Mass

By Bob Donahue | May 15, 2026

Three angles that affect observing

Guess the Moon!

By NBAS Staff | May 12, 2026

Can you identify these moons of our solar system? Eight questions, one large image each — pick the right moon from four choices.

Skill Level: Intermediate

May Challenge: Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster

MESSIER: 84, 86, 87, 88, 90, 91, 99, 100

NGC: 4216, 4298, 4302

By Bob Donahue | May 10, 2026

10 Galaxies to find in Virgo

Venus and Jupiter Inch Closer Together

PLANETS: Venus, Jupiter

By Bob Donahue | May 8, 2026

The two brightest planets in the early-evening sky

Libra

STARS: HD 140283, Alpha Lib

NGC: 5595, 5597, 5728, 5987

OTHER: LDN 134

By NBAS Staff | May 6, 2026

The only Ecliptic constellation that's an inanimate object

Welcome to our new NBAS Website

By NBAS | May 5, 2026

A new way to stay connected with the stars in the Northern Berkshires.

Coordinates Systems in the Sky

By Bob Donahue | May 5, 2026

The different coordinate systems and what they're used for

Interesting New Asteroid Names (2026 May 4)

ASTEROIDS: (30578) Lawless, (79871) Earthrise, (152341) Rupesnigra, (280924) Eurypterus, (666312) Aroneisenberg

By Gareth Williams | May 4, 2026

A look at (potentially) interesting new names of asteroids.

#ASTEROID NAMES #WGSBN

May 2026 Newsletter

MESSIER: 5

ASTEROIDS: 16 Psyche

METEORS: Eta Lyrids, Eta Aquarids

By NBAS | May 1, 2026

Venus, Jupiter, Spring meteors, and a pit-stop at Mars

SN 2026kid in NGC 5907 (Draco)

NGC: 5907

By Bob Donahue | Apr 26, 2026

A new SN in a bright, large, edge-on galaxy in Draco

Interesting New Asteroid Names (2026 April 13)

ASTEROIDS: (9660) Brucewillis, (463368) Eurytus, (533671) Nabu, (721153) Gunda, (721154) Heinz, (858334) Gioacchinopecci, (870437) Leilani

By Gareth Williams | Apr 26, 2026

A look at (potentially) interesting new names of asteroids.

#ASTEROID NAMES #WGSBN

Identifying Clusters in the Andromeda Galaxy

MESSIER: 31, 32, 110

NGC: 206, 224

By Bob Donahue | Apr 23, 2026

Finding DSOs in DSOs

#Local Group

T Coronae Borealis: The Blaze Star Prepares to Erupt

STARS: T CrB

By Bob Donahue | Apr 15, 2026

The Blaze Star prepares to erupt!

#Variable Star #Nova

Corvus

CALDWELL: 60, 61

NGC: 4027, 4050, 4361, 4727

OTHER: STF 1659

By NBAS Staff | Apr 1, 2026

Apollo's raven

April 2026 Newsletter

OTHER: Leo Dwarf

COMETS: C/2025 R3

METEORS: Lyrids

PLANETS: Venus

By NBAS | Apr 1, 2026

Comet C/2025 R3 at Perihelion, Lyrids, and the return of Venus!

March 2026 Newsletter

STARS: Sirius, Procyon

CALDWELL: 49, 50

MESSIER: 1, 42

NGC: 2264, 2903

By NBAS | Mar 4, 2026

Exploring stellar remnants and protostars in nebulae

#White Dwarfs #Stellar Remnants #Protostars