Sky & Telescope June 2026 Magazine

Contextual Astrophotography, Freedom’s Beacon, and the Eagle’s Nest

In the June 2026 issue of Sky & Telescope, we’re balancing two imaging rigs on one mount to put the deep sky in context. May we suggest Aquila as your first stop? We have a list of fantastic nebulae and clusters for your scopes to peruse. Plus, Aquila isn’t the only animal following the endless turning of the heavens. Birds, mammals, and insects have been utilizing the stars to chart their paths across the globe since time immemorial. Even in the deepest pits of desperation, humans have also turned toward the stars for hope. This Juneteenth, we follow the paths of enslaved Americans, who saw Polaris as the light of hope beckoning them north towards freedom.