81–100 of 1,277 results

Celestial News & Events

This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 9 – 18

Now it's Venus's turn to pass the Beehive, with Leo looming over. The Summer Triangle lofts high. And the supernova in M101, near the Big Dipper, remains 11th magnitude.

Venus in line with Pollux and Castor, Mars nearby; June 2, 2023

Celestial News & Events

This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 2 – 11

Venus shining in the dusk says goodbye to Pollux, hello to Mars. . . which is busy crossing the Beehive Cluster. Arcturus stands straight over Spica after dark, and Kochab stands straight over Polaris, it's that time of year.

Moonrise refraction

Moon

Find a Horizon and Savor the Bending of Light

The full Strawberry Moon on June 3rd invites us to experience the refractive power of Earth's atmosphere.

Venus lines up with Pollux and Castor, June 2, 2023

Celestial News & Events

This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 26 – June 4

Venus starts the week under Pollux and Castor, then lines up with them. Nearby, Mars steps on the Beehive. In the south the Bootes kite flies high.

Supernova 2023ixf in M101

Explore the Night with Bob King

Bright Supernova Blazes in M101, the Pinwheel Galaxy

A supergiant star exploded as a supernova in the prominent galaxy M101 in Ursa Major. It's now bright enough to see in a 4.5-inch telescope!

Moon passing Venus, Mars, and Gemini at dusk, May 22-24, 2023

Celestial News & Events

This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 19 – 28

As Venus and Mars move toward each other in the western dusk, Venus brightens and Mars shrinks — just like they always do. This week the waxing Moon hops over both.

Jupiter-Moon occultation

Explore the Night with Bob King

See the Moon-Jupiter Trifecta: Conjunction, Occultation, and Double-Shadow Transit

The May 17th dawn pairing of Jupiter and the Moon may be one of the most amazing conjunctions you'll ever see.

Venus and Mars in Gemini, May 15, 2023

Celestial News & Events

This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 12 – 21

Mars and Venus each line up with a pair of stars this week. And with the Milky Way lying all around the horizon, the Coma Berenices Star Cluster floats overhead.

Moon passing under Saturn at dawn, May 12-14, 2023

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 5 – 14

Big, macho Venus is closing in on wimpy little Mars in the western sky at dusk. Venus says hi to M35 on the way. In early dawn, the waning Moon guides the way to Saturn.

Venus Orion Taurus in early May 2023

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 28 – May 7

The Arch of Spring across the west enfolds Mars and Venus. Wintry Sirius nears its heliacal setting low in the southwest. The Summer Triangle stars come into view one by one in the east.

total eclipse april 2023 AlsonWong label

Astronomy & Observing News

Totality “Down Under”

When the Moon’s shadow swept across Earth on April 20th, tens of thousands traveled to Australia, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia to witness the celestial spectacle.

Moon passing Mars, Pollus and Castor, April 25-26, 2023

Celestial News & Events

This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 21 – 30

The Moon hops past Venus and then Mars. Hydra snakes up, the Pointers point down, and the Arch of Spring spans the west.

29-hour-old Moon

Explore the Night with Bob King

See the Young Moon and the Lyrid Meteor Shower

We have an exciting week ahead with a crescent Moon that might break your observing record followed by a well-timed Lyrid meteor shower.

Waning Moon under Saturn at dawn, April 14-16, 2023

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 14 – 23

Venus shines with Aldebaran and the Pleiades in late twilight. After sunset on the 20th, try to spot your record-breaking thinnest young Moon. And Leo walks west with a mouse-galaxy dangling from his chin.

Astrophotography: Tips & Techniques

Eclipse Photography: Framing the Eclipse

Here are several ideas photographers can use when shooting their next total solar eclipse.

March 2016 total solar eclipse

Celestial Objects to Observe

Images to Inspire: Solar Eclipse Pictures

We've gathered some of the best pictures of past solar eclipses, total and partial, from our online photo gallery to serve as inspiration for your eclipse photography

Venus near the Pleiades, Hyades, and Aldebaran, April 11, 2023

Celestial News & Events

This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 7 – 16

Venus in the western twilight guides the way down to Mercury. The Pleiades pass by Venus far in its background. And can you find the head of Hydra?

Total Solar Eclipse Madras, Oregon

Celestial News & Events

The "Great American" Solar Eclipse Is Just a Year Away

A long totality passing through Mexico, the U.S., and Canada beckons — and planning ahead will be crucial.

Mercury below Venus in the western twilight, April 7, 2023

Celestial News & Events

This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 31 – April 8

Mercury emerges this week far below Venus at dusk, while Venus makes its way toward the Pleiades. Orion turns his belt horizontal for the warming weather.

Lunarisms locator

Moon

Pleasures of Lunar Pareidolia

Do you still see animal shapes in clouds? If so, you'll enjoy doing the same with the Moon, home to the Moon Maiden, a giant pair of scissors, and other fantastic specters of light and shadow.