41–60 of 148 results

Pro-Am Collaboration

Occultations by Possible Rings of Pluto This Week

Pluto will pass extremely close to an 8.7-magnitude star on September 27, 2007; observers should monitor the star's brightness electronically.

Pro-Am Collaboration

New Chance To Confirm Asteroid Lucina's Moon

Late Wednesday night, September 19–20, 2007, observers across much of North America should watch for a possible occultation by asteroid 146 Lucina's satellite.

People, Places, and Events

A Root of Amateur Astronomy Unearthed

Russell W. Porter, the founder of amateur telescope making in America, was still virtually unknown when he built a 16-inch reflector for his home on the Maine coast.

Observing

Morning and Evening Crescent Moons

On Thursday and Friday, June 14 and 15, North American skywatchers have a rare chance to catch sight of "opposing crescent" Moons.

Rising Moon

Observing

Buzz About the "Blue Moon"

About seven times each 19 years, we have two full Moons in a month — and it's happening again now. Not so long ago, nobody would've called the second of these Moons "blue."

Pro-Am Collaboration

Occultations by Possible Rings of Pluto

Photometric recordings of Pluto passing near stars, as on the night of May 11-12, 2007, could reveal if it has a ring system.

Resources and Education

Occultations by Triton and Patientia

Skywatchers in North America can make valuable timings of these events on May 6, 2007.

Pro-Am Collaboration

Outburst of the Eta Aquarids?

A very old dust trail from Halley's Comet could enhance this meteor shower on May 6, 2007.

Observing

Spring's Comet Lovejoy

During the next few weeks, early risers in the Northern Hemisphere can follow recently-discovered Comet Lovejoy as it makes its way northward past some familiar telescopic sights.

Astronomy & Observing News

Earth's "Other Moon"

Last year Earth's gravity apparently captured a tiny asteroid that ventured too near our planet. But this "second Moon" will only hang around until June, when it'll get shoved back out into interplanetary space.

Astronomy & Observing News

Porter Garden Telescope Changes Hands

At the Boston auction house of Skinner, Inc., one of the most coveted of telescope collectibles recently went on the block. Barely more than a dozen of these elegant bronze garden ornaments from the 1920s are known to exist today.

Pro-Am Collaboration

New Comet in Indus

After a two-year search, on March 15, 2007, Australian amateur Terry Lovejoy found his first comet.

Observing

January's Surprise Comet

A major comet, known as Comet McNaught or C/2006 P1, is right now making its way through the inner solar system. It’s already as bright as the brightest stars, but it is also sticking close to the glare of the Sun.

July conjunction

Observing

Sky Highlights of 2007

As in any year, the starry heavens unroll with the seasons, and our solar system provides ever-changing sights much closer to home. Here's a taste of special events to watch for in 2007.

Pleiades and the Moon

Observing

The Moon Crosses the Pleiades Tonight

Late Monday evening, small-telescope owners throughout North America can see the bright Moon pass directly in front of the Pleiades star cluster.

Astronomy & Observing News

Pluto Gets an Asteroid Number

Without fanfare, the September 7th batch of circulars from the Minor Planet Center assigns number 134340 to Pluto.

Celestial Objects to Observe

Chi Cygni: A Wide-Ranging Variable

This red long-period variable is sometimes visible to the unaided eye — and sometimes invisible even in a 4-inch telescope.

4-inch Clark refractor

Astronomy & Observing News

Boston’s Classy Telescope Auction

The Skinner auction in Boston featured a stunning array of “brass and glass.” Many of the astronomical items came from the collection of Don Yeier (Vernonscope & Co.), himself the organizer of 12 previous auctions of astronomical instruments since 1974.

Celestial News & Events

April's Lyrid Meteor Shower

Traditionally the Lyrids are a poor shower — rarely do they surprise observers.

Night Sky Sights

Finding Uranus and Neptune in 2006

Binoculars and our charts are all you need to spot these twin outer planets.

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