SUNSET: 
Meet Canopus, the Second Brightest Star
The second-brightest star after Sirius, Canopus is visible in southern skies, shining out of the constellation Carina.
Meet Spica, the Ear of Grain
Meet Spica, the "ear of grain" in the constellation Virgo. This bright star is actually part of a binary orbiting so closely, they tug each other out of spherical shapes and whirl around each other every four days.
Meet Vega, the Jewel of the Lyre
Meet Vega, the fifth-brightest star in the night sky and the most brilliant star in the constellation Lyra. Vega is in the prime of its life on the main sequence, but it's notable for its speedy spin and infrared-radiating debris disk.
Meet Fomalhaut, the Autumn Star
The bright star Fomalhaut, home to three suns plus a planet, peeks over the southern horizon in early autumn evenings in the Northern Hemisphere.
Meet Rigel, Orion's Blue Suede Shoe
The seventh brightest star in the sky, blue-white Rigel shines brilliantly at the left foot of Orion and is actually a trio: a supergiant orbited by a pair of Sun-like stars.
Meet Deneb, the Bright but Distant Star
Deneb, in the constellation Cygnus, is a star that shines brilliantly despite being one of the farthest you can see with the unaided eye.
Meet Pollux, the Red Giant with a Planet
Meet the stars: Pollux, one of the Twins in the sky, is a star that has swelled into its red giant phase while holding onto its Jupiter-like exoplanet, dubbed Thestias.
Meet Regulus, Little King of the Ecliptic
Meet Regulus A, dubbed "Little King" and "Heart of the Lion," among the 25 brightest stars in the sky. The star belongs to a complex system, including a close white dwarf companion that makes its ultimate fate uncertain.
Meet Betelgeuse, the Red Giant of Orion
Betelgeuse, the brilliant red star at the right shoulder of Orion, is a supergiant whose girth extends out to the orbit of Jupiter.
Seven Nights of Enticing Lunar Sights
Come along for a 7-night tour of some of the Moon's most compelling features visible in small telescopes.
Meet Polaris, the North Star
Meet Polaris, the North Star. It's not the brightest star in the sky, but it's within a degree of the north celestial pole.
Meet Sirius, the Brightest Star
Meet the stars near Earth, starting with the brightest: Sirius, the "Dog Star."
See Pluto in 2015
It’s been a fantastic year for Pluto, and it’s only going to get more so. What better time to make your first (or second!) attempt at spotting the dwarf planet? Read on for a few tips to help you locate this dim object in the summer sky.
Uranus and Neptune in 2015
This article gives directions for finding Uranus and Neptune from June 2015 through March 2016.
Shadows on the Moon Make a Point
Fooled by shadow play into thinking lunar mountains were pointy pinnacles? Learn why we often see them that way.
How Many Pleiades Can YOU See?
Most of us are familiar with the Seven Sisters, but have you met their brothers? Learn how to find more Pleiades than first meet the eye.
Ceres and Vesta: July 2012 - April 2013
The two brightest asteroids are close to each other in late 2012 and early 2013. Moreover, they're traversing one of the most interesting areas in the night sky.
Ceres and Vesta in 2011
The two brightest asteroids are in fine view for binoculars or a telescope. Here are instructions and charts to find them.
Finding Uranus and Neptune in 2006
Binoculars and our charts are all you need to spot these twin outer planets.
