Watch the International Space Station as it passes into the shadow of the Earth, and learn what other features to keep an eye out for (such as the "water dump").
Observing News & Current Celestial Events
Lunar Eclipse Roundup
Reports describing this morning's lunar eclipse are beginning to trickle in to our offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Night Owls Prepare for October 8th’s Lunar Eclipse
You'll need to be up after midnight to watch the Moon plunge deep into Earth's shadow tomorrow morning — but it'll be worth it. Sometimes astronomical events occur in prime time — soon after it gets dark yet before bedtime. But that won't be the case tomorrow morning when, for the second time this year,...
Tour October’s Sky: Pegasus Flies High!
October is pleasant for nighttime observing because evenings are cool and come early. Use our downloadable stargazing podcast to find the month's highlights.
Wake Up to a Total Lunar Eclipse on October 8, 2014
Start your day with an eclipse of the full Moon! On the morning of October 8, 2014, a total lunar eclipse will be visible across most of North America.
How to Never Miss an Aurora
Learn exactly how and when to expect the next display of the northern lights with a few easy-to-use online tools.
The 2014 Autumnal Equinox Arrives
Astronomically speaking, the fall season comes to the Northern Hemisphere on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 02:29 UTC (Monday, September 22 at 10:29 p.m. EDT). At that moment, the Sun passes over the Earth’s equator heading south; this event is called the autumnal equinox.
Potent Solar Flare — Auroras Tonight?
On Wednesday, a powerful X-class flare ripped through the Sun's lower atmosphere and sent a blast wave directly toward Earth that should arrive Friday and produce moderate-to-strong auroras over the weekend.
Meet My Variable Friend SS Cygni
Get acquainted with SS Cygni, the sky's brightest cataclysmic variable star. It's guaranteed to keep you on your toes.
A Worldwide Night of Moonwatching
International Observe the Moon Night is an event that encourages people to "look up" and enjoy our nearest neighbor. This year's InOMN is Saturday, September 6th. Here's a quiz: What astronomical object looks amazing no matter what the magnification, never looks exactly the same no matter how often you view it, and can be...
See Saturn’s Moon Rhea Hide a Star
Watch as the moon Rhea steals a star from the sky for nearly a minute on September 12th.
Tour September’s Sky: Farewell to Saturn
The astronomical calendar says autumn arrives on September 22nd. It's a season of transition, with plenty of celestial comings and goings in the evening sky. September’s equinox takes place on the 22nd at 10:29 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. At that moment the Sun shines directly overhead as seen from the equator. Days and nights...
Earthshine, the Moon’s Darker Side
With a subtle beauty all its own, the earthshine we see glowing in the lunar night invites us to consider Earth's many connections to the Moon.
Happy Times for Comet Watchers
Seize the moment and bookend your next clear night with two fine telescopic comets: Jacques at dusk and Oukaimeden at dawn.
The First Planetary Nebula Spectrum
Celebrate the anniversary of a revolutionary discovery by gathering with other astronomers to observe planetary nebulae in August's evening sky.
Close Venus-Jupiter Conjunction on August 18th
Here's your invitation to view a spectacular close conjunction of the sky's two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, before dawn on Monday morning.
The Not Very Supermoon
The media are all aflutter over the second of this summer's supermoon trio. But just how super is this moon, really?
Perseids vs. Moonlight: Which Will Prevail?
This month's usually dependable Perseid meteor shower competes with a nearly full Moon. If you can find a dark viewing location, you might see a bright meteor every few minutes.
Tour August’s Sky: Sagittarius and Scorpius
Late summer offers the Teapot of Sagittarius and the nearby arc of the Scorpion's Tail in the evening, the Perseid meteor shower, and a spectacular pairing of Venus and Jupiter before dawn.
Earth’s Shadow Creeps Up on Us Every Night
The next time you're out watching a sunset, turn around and relish the mighty shadow of Earth looming just behind your back.
See Comet Jacques Before Dawn
It's not a showstopper, but right now Comet Jacques (C/2014 E2) is poised for telescopic viewing in the hours before dawn.
See Summer’s Best Naked-Eye Double Stars
Not every set of closely paired stars requires binoculars or a telescope to "split". Here's a guide to summertime doubles you can tackle with your eyes alone.
Two Moon-Planet Conjunctions Juice Up July
On July 5th, the Moon has a remarkably close brush with Mars, followed two nights later by a similar rendezvous with Saturn.
Super-close Pairing of Ceres and Vesta
Two bright asteroids now appear extremely close to one another in the evening sky. Here's how to spot them in binoculars or a small telescope.
Iapetus Comes Over to the Bright Side
Astronomers now know the secret of this moon's strange two-faced appearance, but it's still remarkable to watch the "now you see it, now you don't" performance as it moves around Saturn.