SUNSET: 
This Week's Sky at a Glance, September 15 – 24
Comet Nishimura shines at its brightest... but don't be disappointed, we warned you. Meanwhile Jupiter outdoes Saturn as an evening light, and the Little Dipper dumps water into the Big Dipper.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, September 8 – 17
Comet Nishimura teases us shyly low on the dawn horizon, then low on the dusk horizon. The Milky Way arches high across the evening sky, and Saturn invites your telescope.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, September 1 – 10
Vega culminates at the zenith around the end of twilight. Arcturus and the Dipper sink through the evening. Saturn and Jupiter rule the late-night hours, and Venus shines at dawn.
The Moon Is "Blue" This Wednesday...Or Is It?
If skies are clear this Wednesday, you'll see the full Moon — but it's not the "true" Blue Moon.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, August 25 – September 3
Saturn comes to opposition. Vega crests at the zenith, while Arcturus declines in the west. Venus shines at dawn. Go out before dawn's very first light, and you get an Orion-starring preview of the evening sky at New Year's.
Explore the Night with Bob King
New Comet Nishimura May Become Naked-Eye Bright
Comet Nishimura is quickly brightening in the morning sky and may be faintly visible with the naked eye next month. And on August 24th observers in North America will be treated to an occultation of Antares.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, August 18 – 27
The waxing Moon passes Spica and then will occult Antares for much of North America. Saturn reaches opposition this week. The Andromegasus Dipper scoops up as summer wanes.
Get Ready for a Great Perseid Meteor Shower
The Perseids are here! With no Moon to spoil the show it's time to break out the lawn chairs, sit back, and watch the comet dust fly.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, August 11 – 20
The Perseid meteors come rushing in, and peak Perseid night ends with the waning crescent Moon triangulating Castor and Pollux. Vega and Sagittarius culminate after dark. Scorpius lays itself down.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, August 4 – 13
We're approaching the peak of the Perseid meteors. Vega claims the zenith as the Teapot claims the south. In twilight, Mars has a friendly but not very intimate date with Mercury.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 28 – August 6
Venus turns super-interesting and then disappears. Mercury lingers behind it in twilight. So does little Mars in third place. On the other side of the sky, the Moon passes Saturn.
Explore the Night with Bob King
View the Thin Crescent of Venus
With Venus approaching inferior conjunction in August here's a foolproof way to follow its thinning crescent as the planet transitions from Evening Star to Morning Star.
Explore the Night with Bob King
See Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks in Outburst!
Comet Pons-Brooks, a dim comet on its way to a great apparition next spring, suddenly sprang into action overnight, brightening by five magnitudes. Now you can see it in a 4-inch telescope.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 21 – 30
Low in twilight, Mercury consorts with Venus and squeaks by Regulus. The waxing gibbous Moon does what it does every July: crosses Scorpius and Sagittarius.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 14 – 23
Venus, Mercury, and Mars, very unequal, gather low in the western twilight with the crescent Moon stepping over them and Regulus in their midst. And do you know which way the Kite of Boötes bends?
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 7 – 16
Mars meets Regulus while Venus looks on. Scorpius comes to its July height — bearing its double stars, Cat's Eyes, and Little Cat's Eyes. And keep a lookout for noctilucent clouds at the end of dusk.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 30 – July 9
Full Moon in the Teapot. Are the colors of brights easier to discern in moonlight? Twilight? Mars closes in on Regulus as Venus watches. And the supernova in the Pinwheel Galaxy is still 12th magnitude.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 23 – July 3
Venus almost meets Mars in the western twilight, then runs away. Vega and Arcturus become equally balanced across the zenith. Down from Vega hangs the Summer Triangle.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 16 – 25
Venus and Mars are getting closer together in the western dusk. And why does Mars always turn so puny when it approaches Venus? The "Betelgeuse of Summer" is up, and the Little Dipper stands on end.
Eking Out Observing from under Wildfire Smoke
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has made observing the night sky a challenge for many. Here are some ways you can make the best of a bad situation.
