AMA Addresses Light Pollution
The American Medical Association has released a report detailing several possible health concerns related to nighttime light exposure. But some lighting researchers worry the conclusions are more alarmist than is warranted.
Lowell Observatory's Pro-Am Initiative
If you're a serious stargazer with good gear, a passion for observing, and some free time, a team of astronomers at Lowell Observatory hope to hear from you.
Nova in Sagittarius: Nova Sagittarii 2012 No. 4
A nova visible in good binoculars was spotted July 7, 2012, by observers in Japan.
Possible Occultation by Pluto Tonight (June 13-14)
Both Pluto and the star are 14th magnitude, but observers with big telescopes and sufficient video capability should try to record this important event.
Astronomy and Stargazing Projects
Join the "Target Asteroids!" Project
If you're an amateur observer with decent equipment and an itch to do some serious observing, a team from the OSIRIS-REx mission wants to hear from you!
The Great World Wide Star Count
Join thousands of other "citizen scientists" in raising dark-sky awareness around the globe.
Antiope Occultation Yields Double Bonanza
When observers fanned out last July 19th to record a binary asteroid's passage across a distant star, they hoped to gain scientifically important new findings. The results are in, and they've scored big-time!
Amateur Search for White-Dwarf Planets
Arizona amateur Bruce Gary is assembling a pro-am team to look for planets orbiting dead stars.
New Binocular Comet in the Morning Sky
On November 3, 2010, two amateurs in Japan discovered an 8th-magnitude comet visually. It's visible in binoculars.
How Dark Are Your Skies?
Take part in this year's Great World Wide Star Count, and you'll be joining thousands of other "citizen scientists" in raising dark-sky awareness around the globe.
One Supernova, Many Camera Angles
"Light echoes" off dust clouds far from an old supernova are still providing replays of the explosion — as seen from different directions. They show that the explosion was asymmetric.
Asteroid To Hide Naked-Eye Star
For anyone in a 25-mile-wide path right across Los Angeles, a bright star in Ophiuchus will wink off for several seconds in the predawn hours of April 6, 2010.
New Comet Machholz
California's comet-hunting veteran Don Machholz bagged his 11th discovery on March 23 and 26, 2010. It's a faint diffuse comet, low in the morning sky.
Nova in Eridanus
Japanese amateur Koichi Itagaki, of recent comet fame, has just discovered a nova near Rigel on November 25, 2009.
Citizen Sky Wants You!
Backyard astronomers of all types and experience levels can participate in a real-world science project — and help solve a mystery involving the star Epsilon Aurigae that's puzzled astronomers since 1821.
U.S. Physicians Join Light-Pollution Fight
Thanks to a full-court press by a cardiologist with a passion for astronomy, the American Medical Association has taken a stance in the fight to make outdoor lighting more benign to humans — and to the stars above.
New York Teen Finds Wimpiest Supernova
On November 7, 2008, 14-year-old Caroline Moore of Warwick, New York, discovered a supernova in the galaxy UGC 12682, making her the youngest person ever to find an exploding star.
New Circumpolar Comet Yi-SWAN
On March 26, 2009, Korean amateur Dae-am Yi caught the small, greenish glow of a new comet with his Canon camera.
Asteroid to Occult Star on Morning of Friday, Jan. 9
On the morning of Friday, Jan. 9, from 10:55 to 11:06 UT, asteroid 1963 Bezovec occults the 8.3-magnitude star HIP 64220 in a narrow path from Baja California through Texas to New England and Nova Scotia.
Rare Eclipse of EE Cephei Is Set to Begin
During January 2009 a faint star in Cepheus will fade, as it does every five or six years, when "something" goes in front of it.