SUNSET: 
Explore the Night with Bob King
Bright Nova in Hercules on a Roller Coaster Ride
A new bright nova discovered in Hercules at 8th magnitude briefly rose to naked-eye visibility. It's currently easily visible in a pair of binoculars.
Chasing the Sun at 39,000 Feet
Sky & Telescope's annular-eclipse flight chased down the "ring of fire" eclipse in the skies above Canada for breathtaking views.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 11 – 19
The crescent Moon passes Venus, Pollux, Castor, and Mars in the evening twilight. The Big Dipper hangs down; the Little Dipper floats up. And greet the "Betelgeuse of summer."
A Sunrise Annular Solar Eclipse
Even if you're not in the path of annularity during the June 10th solar eclipse, get ready for a sunrise spectacle.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 4 – 12
Pollux and Castor slide down past Mars in the west, while Venus, shining brightly below, tries to hog attention. On the other side of the sky, the enormous arch of the Milky Way hoves into view after dark behind the Summer Triangle.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 28 – June 5
Venus and Mercury conjoin in the post-sunset afterglow as Mercury fades away; bring binoculars! Arcturus stands over Spica. The Scorpion rears up, and the Big Dipper floats on high.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Dawn Delight: Catch the Total Lunar Eclipse on May 26th
On May 26th the Moon will be in total eclipse for the first time in nearly two and a half years. While timing favors western North America, a partial eclipse will be visible across much of the U.S. and Canada at dawn.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 21 – 29
The Moon waxes from gibbous to supermoon-eclipse full. Low at dusk, Venus and Mercury close in on each other. Nova Cas has dropped back. And at dawn, Jupiter and Saturn climb a bit into slightly better view.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 14 – 22
The crescent Moon waxes across the evening sky, pairing with Mars in upright-standing Gemini and then, four days later, with Leo's forefoot Regulus. In a telescope, Jupiter and Saturn are becoming not quite so fuzzy as they gain more altitude in early dawn.
Nova in Cassiopeia Brightens Suddenly
A star in the constellation Cassiopeia that flared into view during mid-March has erupted to naked-eye visibility. Catch it while you can!
This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 7 – 15
Mercury and low Venus adorn the west after sunset, with the crescent Moon soon to join them. Night brings the big Diamond of Virgo and Summer Triangle. Nova Cassiopeiae rebrightens. And Comet Atlas is in evening view with a 6-inch telescope.
In Search of Ancient Suns
We track down and admire five of the most ancient stars in the universe.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 30 – May 8
Mercury and Venus now show themselves better at dusk. After dark, Comet Atlas awaits telescopic skyhunters. And the waning Moon passes under Saturn and Jupiter in early dawn.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 23 – May 1
Day by day, Venus and Mercury creep up from the sunset horizon in bright twilight. High above as twilight fades away, trace out the Arch of Spring arching high over Mars. Meanwhile Arcturus dominates the east.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 16 – 24
The waxing Moon this week steps out of Taurus past Mars, across Gemini and Cancer, and into Leo. Sirius and Procyon remain in the southwest after dusk. Jupiter and Saturn shine in early dawn.
A Bouquet of Novae Brightens April Nights
With the recent discovery of Nova Scorpii 2021 earlier this week, three bright stellar explosions are now visible in small telescopes from dusk till dawn.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 9 – 17
Arcturus ascends in the east as Sirius sinks in the southwest. Orion tilts further as the Dipper rides high. And this week Mars threads the horntips of Taurus, closely followed by the crescent Moon.
T–3 Years Until the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
The countdown has begun to a special total solar eclipse that will cross Mexico, the U.S. and Canada on April 8, 2024.
Make the Most of Comet ATLAS
Bright comets will be scarce this year, but you can see one of the better ones this month as it races from Aquila to Canes Venatici. In other news, a new, bright nova has flared in Sagittarius.
First Look at 2021’s First Solar Eclipse
June 10th's annular eclipse of the Sun has a path that crosses southern Canada and the North Pole but will be a challenge to see.
