"Some of the most extraordinary things that I've seen are things you don't need a telescope to see, " O'Gara said.

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NASA's Kepler space telescope hasn't exactly been a slouch when it comes to planet hunting, but that effort will soon be getting a considerable boost courtesy of a new mission selected by NASA as part of its Explorer program.

ENGADGET: NASA gives planet-hunting TESS space telescope go-ahead for 2017 launch

In some cases, skywatchers don't even need to own a telescope to enjoy the celestial sights.

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The transit of Venus can't be observed with the Hubble Space Telescope because the extreme brightness of the sun would destroy the telescope and its instruments.

CNN: A transit of Venus, an age of wondrous science