This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 15 – 24
Mercury emerges in the sunset, far lower right of brighter Jupiter. And don't just arc to Arcturus and speed to Spica — continue the curve to Corvus, cruise to Capella, and more.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Is Betelgeuse Fading Again?
Betelgeuse has dipped nearly half a magnitude since late January. Could it be headed for another Great Dimming Event? We also take a look at this spring's "other" eclipse.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 8 – 17
The Moon sidles up to bold Jupiter, then the delicate Pleiades, then the Castor and Pollux twins. Arcturus, ascending in the east, is probably the third-brightest star you've ever seen and that's including the Sun.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 1 – 9
It's early March, so the Winter Triangle balances on Sirius after dark. The Gemini twins float high across the meridian. Leo jumps the gun on spring.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 23 – March 3
The full Moon splits the Sickle, the dawn Moon occults Antares, carnivore constellations stand up in the east, and the zodiacal light is at its evening best.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 16 – 25
The Moon waxes from first quarter to full this week, traveling from the Pleiades past the not-quite-twin heads of Gemini to the Sickle of Leo. The Big Dipper and Cassiopeia stand in balance. Venus meets Mars low in the dawn.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 9 – 17
The first-quarter Moon passes the Pleiades, then Aldebaran. Cassiopeia stands on end. For the southern U.S., Canopus culminates far under Sirius.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 2 – 11
Under Orion is the Hare, which you may know, and under the Hare is the Dove, which you may not. February the best month for both.
Explore the Night with Bob King
The Best Comets to Look for in 2024
If you like chasing comets, here's a guide to the year's best and brightest.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 26 – February 4
Orion anchors both the Winter Triangle and the Winter Hexagon. So does the Meat Cleaver in Canis Major. Jupiter regards them from high to their right.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 19 – 28
Jupiter shines high, bright, and obvious after dusk. Mercury and Mars glimmer low, dim, and elusive for their close conjunction in the dawn.
Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2024
Although no total lunar eclipses occur this year, skywatchers can look forward to two “central” solar eclipses — including a much-awaited total eclipse that spans the U.S. from Texas to New England.
Southern Stargazing with Jonathan Nally
Clouds, Large and Small, of the Southern Sky
Jonathan Nally sets out to explore the Southern Hemisphere sky, starting with two uniquely southern sights: the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 12 – 21
The evening Moon passes Saturn, then Jupiter. Venus and Mercury march in lockstep in the eastern dawn. Capella, as always, paces Orion's bright foot. And who's winning the Sirius-Betelgeuse race?
The Best Meteor Showers in 2024
The beloved Perseid meteor shower of the August vacation season will evade the moonlight in 2024, at least during the best early morning meteor-watching hours. The Lyrids and Geminids aren't so lucky.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 5 – 14
How does the Sirius-Procyon balance, newly risen, tilt for you? Depends on your latitude! Meanwhile, Triangulum and Aries teeter in balance on Jupiter.
Catch Luyten's Star and the Quadrantid Meteor Shower
Relish the slow, steady pace of nearby Luyten's Star then switch things up with speedy meteors from a well-timed shower.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 29 – January 5
Scintillating Sirius rises ever earlier to scintillate in colors. The Quadrantid meteors in the Thursday-morning dark are well timed for Eastern North America. Two triangle constellations stack over Jupiter.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 22 – 31
Christmas week this year puts the late-night Moon at the highest overhead you'll ever see it. High Jupiter lights the evening. Venus is the bright "star" lower in the east at dawn.
Watch Jupiter's Moons in Unusual Lineups
You'll have five opportunities in the coming months to see Jupiter's moons in interesting alignments.