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This Week's Amazing Sky
September 13, 2021
On Tuesday, September 14, planet Neptune reaches its closest approach to us for the year. Why should we care about the only planet that cannot be seen with the naked eye? Well, if size matters, then it deserves attention on that basis alone, since it’s such an enormous blue ball, 58 planet Earths could fit inside it. Discover the “other” blue planet.
Discovering Neptune
We really…
August 16, 2021
Both of our neighboring planets, Venus and Mars, are carbon dioxide (CO2) worlds. On Earth, there is only a trace amount. So why all the fuss about carbon dioxide? In half a minute, you can fully grasp how CO2 does its dirty work. Interested?
Earth’s Carbon Dioxide Levels
Six years ago, for the first time in 800,000 years, our own world’s carbon dioxide level passed 400…
August 15, 2021
The universe is a strange place, and the things we don’t know keep hounding astronomers to where the whole thing often feels frustrating. Of course, if we knew everything, science wouldn’t be as much fun. Countless challenges and juicy new mysteries pop up every year. The journey is too exciting to ever be over. Let’s muse about a few of these mysteries …
Does your mind puzzle…
July 9, 2021
What a treat! Venus, Mars, and the young Moon meet July 11–12 just after sunset. It’s the finest three-way conjunction of 2021. Venus and Mars will appear only a finger’s width apart and the slender crescent Moon points the way. See Bob Berman’s viewing tips.
Young Moon, Venus, and Mars Meet
In most of the United States, a romantic meeting of the three nearest…
June 23, 2021
Last Sunday’s summer solstice is followed by a special full Strawberry Moon on Thursday, June 24—and it all affects us! Learn more about the lowest full Moon of 2021—and why we expect it to be one of the most colorful (but not the color of a strawberry!). Here are interesting facts and viewing tips from Almanac astronomer Bob Berman.
In 2021, June’s full Moon will appear…
May 24, 2021
A total lunar eclipse of the full Flower Moon happens early Wednesday morning, May 26. It all sounds great—until you read the fine print. Turns out, it will only be “total” for those on or near the West Coast. And even then, the Moon will be so low in the sky—less than 15 degrees when totality begins—that hills, trees, or houses can easily obscure it. Learn about this strange and short total…
May 10, 2021
Spring’s metamorphosis in the garden is grabbing our attention but a quick upward glance shows the sky is radically changing, too! Your location matters as well. See how the skies change in spring.
Quiet Skies of Spring
The brilliant winter constellations—the hunter Orion and his friends—now balance for a final weeks low in the west at nightfall. After 9 or 10 P.M. they’re…
April 29, 2021
Maybe you’ve heard those radio commercials. The announcer says, “If you’re looking for a perfect gift for that special someone … then have a star named after them!” Can you really name a star? The answer to this question is … in the eye of the beholder. Let’s see what you think.
The International Star Registry is still in business. More than 30…
April 15, 2021
Many of us are simply intoxicated with spring’s magic. The suddenly sprouting flowers, exploding willows, and the return of nature’s smells (which happens whenever the air gets warmer than 50 degrees) is almost sensory overload. But let’s include the sky in our appreciations. This coming weekend, Friday April 16th through Sunday the 18th, is an especially perfect time.
The Sun …
April 2, 2021
During the early weeks of spring, the most widely recognized constellation at nightfall is Orion, standing upright in the southwest. People who appreciate the outdoors may know this prominent constellation best. Here are Orion constellation facts and viewing tips from Almanac astronomer Bob Berman.
Ubiquitous Orion
For us during these first weeks of spring, Orion’s famous 3-star Belt…
April 1, 2021
What are the Seven Sisters? These are stars in the Pleiades star cluster—one of the most noticeable star pattern in the spring. This tiny dipper of six stars appears at nightfall, lowish in the west, directly above where the Sun sets. So, wait, why are they called the Seven Sisters? Read on—plus, find my viewing tips.
According to Greek mythology, these Pleiades were the…
March 22, 2021
Did you know that spring is galaxy time? More galaxies are visible from March to mid-May, early in the evening. Find out more about famous galaxies and how to see a galaxy this spring!
What Is a Galaxy?
It may help the novice sky watcher to understand the definition of a galaxy: A galaxy is a huge collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars and their solar…