Amateur Astronomers Association

Astronomers used the JWST to examine "an extremely bright red spot known as MoM-BH*-1, the reddest object in the telescope’s image archive. … Computer simulations showed that rather than being an enormous star powered by nuclear fusion, the object is a black hole so swaddled in shrouds of dense gas that it radiates like a star."

Astronomers discover a new kind of cosmic object – a black hole ‘star’ The body is the size of the entire solar system and glows with a brilliant red light billions of light years from Earth

From Kuiper Kat

If you want to see many, many pics of the eclipse, from all over, see this.

https://spaceweathergallery2.com/index.php?title=eclipse

Here's another nice eclipse view, this one in hydrogen-alpha, by Peter Deller.

David Gluchowski got this great "diamond ring" effect from Iglesia de Villarroañe, a church in a small village on the outskirts of León, in Spain. Dave says this was his first total solar eclipse.

📣 ATTENTION ALL PERSEID METEOR SHOWER LOVERS 📣

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce that several Long Island state parks will remain open during the nighttime hours for viewing of the Perseids Meteor Shower on Wednesday, August 12 through predawn hours of Thursday, August 13, 2026.

There will be no charge, and the normal stargazing permit will not be required. You must remain near your vehicle. State Parks that will remain open for viewing are:

💫 Jones Beach State Park – West End 2 (west parking lot)
💫 Sunken Meadow State Park – Field 3
💫 Montauk Point State Park – Upper Parking Lot
💫 Wildwood State Park – Field 1 Parking Lot
💫 Orient Beach State Park – Main Parking Lot
💫 Hallock State Park Preserve – Upper Parking Lot.

Robert Moses isn't on the list but should still honor your permit, if you have one.

NOTE: we do not have information regarding New York City parks and recommend that all posted rules regarding operating hours be followed. If you travel to any of the parks listed above, we suggest that you dress appropriately for the weather, bring bug spray, and a chair that reclines. Binoculars are not necessary. Using the compass app on your phone, look towards the northeast and enjoy the show!