1–20 of 451 results
C/2023 A3 from Namibia

Explore the Night with Bob King

Status Report and Expectations for Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS

Is Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS falling apart? How bright will it likely get? We try to answer those questions and more.

Perseid aurora

People, Places, and Events

Tonight's Perseid Meteor Shower May Be Dipped in Aurora Sauce

The Perseids peak on Sunday night, August 11-12 and just might be joined by a colorful display of northern lights. 

Perseids with star trails

Explore the Night with Bob King

Woo-hoo — The Perseid Meteor Shower Is Coming!

It's time again for the annual August meteor-shower fest, the Perseids. This year's display should be a beauty with only minor moonlight and a special surprise at dawn.

eVscope setup

Explore the Night with Bob King

Visual Observing vs. Smart Telescopes — Finding Harmony

The latest smartscope astrophotography craze opens the door to some incredible opportunities for both beginners and seasoned observers.

Spica occultation map

Explore the Night with Bob King

Catch an Exciting Spica Occultation on July 13th

Don't miss Spica's dramatic disappearance at the Moon's dark limb. We also check in on the status of current bright comets.

T CrB map

Explore the Night with Bob King

Is the "Blaze Star" About to Blow? You May Be the First to Know

T Coronae Borealis is a nova star that's due to suddenly — and briefly — brighten. Here's how to see this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Planet parade

Celestial News & Events

See the Real Planet Parade

Maximize your planetary pleasure and get re-acquainted with Earth's siblings during the June 29th dawn planet parade.

Comet 13P/Olbers

Explore the Night with Bob King

Comet 13P/Olbers Juices Up June Skies

June brings heat and bugs but also a moderately bright, early-evening comet that returns every 69 years.

Galilaei crater May 20, 2024

Explore the Night with Bob King

Why Did Galileo Get Such a Puny Crater?

Galileo was one of the first people to study the Moon through a telescope. You'd think he'd get more than 10-mile-wide crater for his efforts. But of course, there's more to the story.

Aurora lights up a lake in the foreground with a horizon of trees with green towards the horizon and pink further up.

Celestial News & Events

Severe Geogmagnetic Storm Has Arrived! Auroral Blast Expected Friday Night

A severe geomagnetic storm has just hit Earth — which means we could see auroras tonight! Here's what you'll need to know.

Comet C/2023 A3 early May

Explore the Night with Bob King

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Brightens, Grows a Tail

Are you excited about Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS's prospects for a bright appearance this autumn? Guess what? It's already gorgeous.

Eta Aquariids from Australia

Explore the Night with Bob King

Ready the Hot Cocoa and Recliner — Here Comes the Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower!

You might be tempted to sleep through this annual shower but then you'd miss seeing some of the fastest meteors around. Not to mention their parent is the most famous comet of all.

Jupiter Uranus 12P comet

Explore the Night with Bob King

Jupiter Meets Uranus in Twilight; Supernova Erupts in Nearby Spiral Galaxy

Jupiter aligns with distant Uranus before it exits the evening sky as a bright supernova flares in the southern galaxy NGC 3621.

Little Rock, AR April 8 all-sky view

Explore the Night with Bob King

What Will We See in the Sky During Totality?

Most of our time will be focused on Sun during the minutes of totality on April 8th, but consider tearing yourself away for a few seconds to put it all in context.

Betelgeuse close-up

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.

The gegenschein in the left of center and Milky Way on the right with a dark horizon line in the foreground.

Explore the Night with Bob King

Fuzzy Glows: See Zodiacal Light, Gegenschein, Airglow, and Aurorae

Find time this season to set aside your telescope and seek the night sky's ghostly glows.

Triple stars finders

Explore the Night with Bob King

Winter's Finest Triple Stars

Double stars are wonderful, but triples are terrific! Here are 16 trios to enjoy the next clear night.

12P/Pons-Brooks with tail

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.

Berlin fall fragment

Asteroids

Asteroid 2024 BX1: From a Light in the Sky to Rocks on the Ground

The asteroid 2024 BX1 went from a moving dot of light to rocks on the ground in mere hours — and amateur astronomers were critical to both discovery and recovery.

Crab Nebula

Celestial Objects to Observe

The Night I Met the Crab Pulsar

An account of my journey to the heart of one of most violent cosmic explosions witnessed on Earth. Plus, there's a bright supernova now visible in a Virgo Cluster galaxy.

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