A Perfect Time to See Saturn
On Tuesday evening, September 26, look at the Moon at nightfall, around 8:00 PM. A star dangles just below it. This is the planet Saturn. It’s not often that Saturn is so easy to identify. It’s not...
View ArticleWhat is a Blue Moon?
What is a Blue Moon? When is the next Blue Moon? There’s some confusion about its meaning. Here’s the scoop. Why is it Called the Blue Moon? We got a lot of letters about this. Some folks imagine that...
View ArticleThe Smiling Moon, Venus, Mars on October 17
Maybe you’ve already seen it. Low in the east, just before dawn—say at 6:15 or so—is the brightest “star” in the heavens. It’s been hovering there for months, generating UFO reports. It’s the Morning...
View ArticleWhat is a Supermoon: Fact or Fiction
Have you seen the media urging everyone to rush out and see the Supermoon? So, what is a Supermoon? Did you then expect that full Supermoon to look super huge? Well, enough is enough! The “Supermoon”...
View ArticleSpooky Sky: We Dare You to Go Out!
The Sun is setting earlier and earlier: It’s really dark. The leaves are dropping quickly now, so barren branches now tremble in the wind. And yes, even that wind is generally stronger during the cold...
View ArticleThe Seven Sisters at Halloween
It’s an annual autumn ritual: The reappearance of the glorious Seven Sisters. During Halloween’s week it always rises in the east before 7 PM and is nicely up after 8 PM. Learn more about the...
View ArticleWhat is a Supermoon?
When the Supermoon arrives each year, the media goes crazy for it. But is it really worth all the hype? Read on to find out what a Supermoon is—and what it isn’t! The Supermoon Supermoon media hype has...
View ArticleGet Ready for Fabulous Shooting Stars
Much attention is being paid to the Leonid meteor shower, which peaks in the wee hours before dawn on Saturday morning, November 18. But it’s like mice that keep following the same maze even though...
View ArticleCosmic Gratitude on Thanksgiving
Most of us have a lot to be thankful for. It would be nice to hold a Thanksgiving star party, where astronomers could rattle off their own special reasons to be grateful. I’ll go first. I’m thankful...
View ArticleOde to Kerosene: It Took Us to the Moon
In some rural areas, folks heat their homes with oil. Some buy kerosene, which is similar but a bit more refined. They use it during the coldest months because it doesn’t gel in the lines. The rest of...
View ArticleHow to See Orion: The Hunter Constellation
In December, many people start to notice Orion the Hunter in the night sky. It’s one of the most famous constellations—seen by everyone on Earth! Learn more about Orion—and get viewing tips. What is...
View ArticleCan You Really Name a Star?
Maybe you’ve heard those radio commercials. The announcer says, “If you’re looking for a perfect gift for that special someone … then have a star named after them!” The International Star Registry is...
View ArticleWhen Is The Darkest Time of the Year
Did you know that early December is when the darkest days of the year occur? It’s a major winter milestone: the days of our earliest sunsets. This puzzles people, but in fact it’s a reliable yearly...
View ArticleWhat is a Blue Moon?
What is a Blue Moon? When is the next Blue Moon? There’s some confusion about its meaning. Here’s the scoop. When is the Next Blue Moon? As of this writing, the next Blue Moon is January 31, 2018. See...
View ArticleBaby, It's Cold Outside
It’s been a cold meteorological winter so far, and the northeastern states hit their very coldest point this past Sunday morning, January 7. If you want consolation, you might turn to the sky because...
View ArticleOrion the Hunter: Easy to View in January
We’re in a period of dark, moonless, evening skies, so let’s do some old-fashioned stargazing, and go hands-on under the sky. All of Orion’s stars are easy to spot in January. Of the 88 constellations,...
View ArticleA Supermoon, Blue Moon, and Lunar Eclipse on January 31
Get ready for an unusual skywatching event! On January 31, 2018, we’ll see a Blue Moon, Supermoon, and a Blood Moon, thanks to a total lunar eclipse. So, what exactly is happening? A Moon that’s...
View ArticleStars Crowd Around the Moon This Weekend
Easy astronomy? Deep, profound, cool stuff with no pain? That’s this weekend. Friday and Saturday night, January 27 and 28, any time you go out, look up at the sky. The Moon will be surrounded by over...
View ArticleOrion the Hunter: Easy to View in the Winter Sky
We’re in a period of dark, moonless, evening skies, so let’s do some old-fashioned stargazing, and go hands-on under the sky. All of Orion’s stars are easy to spot in the winter sky. Of the 88...
View ArticleGroundhog Day and Shadow Fun
Groundhog Day. Just a bizarre tradition involving rodents? Or, rather, marmots? Actually, Groundhog Day is full of amazing sky-related stuff. Even its date relates to the heavens. Held on February 2,...
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