SUNSET: 
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 30 – August 7
Saturn is at opposition this week, and Jupiter is soon to follow. Will your scope show the Seeliger effect of Saturn's opposition rings? Venus continues to haunt the low west in twilight. And in the south, Sagittarius starts nudging Scorpius aside.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Dazzling Double Stars for Compromised Skies
For many, smoke from wildfires has transformed summer nights, blotting out stars and familiar deep-sky sights. But through it all double stars keep on shining.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 23 – 31
Saturn and Jupiter shine in the southeast by late evening. The bright Moon passes them on the 24th through 26th. Venus continues to sit patiently, changelessly, low in the west in twilight. Bootes and the Big Dipper mark the western sky after dark; the Summer Triangle emblazons the east.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 16 – 24
Venus shines in the western twilight as Mars sinks away. Jupiter and Saturn rise in late dusk. And after dark, Scorpius shows off at its very best in the south.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 9 – 17
Bright Venus and tiny Mars come to conjunction low in the western twilight, as the crescent Moon stands watch. On the other side of the sky, Saturn and Jupiter rise after dark. And before moonlight comes back, delve the deep sky in Scorpius and Sagittarius.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 2 – 10
Bright Venus and faint little Mars close in on each other low in the western twilight. Scorpius, laden with interesting stars and deep-sky targets, is highest in the south right after dark. Sagittarius, even richer, follows behind. Saturn and Jupiter rise in late evening.
Noctilucent Cloud Show, a Mercurial Nova, and More
Summer only lasts so long. Like everything, it's transient. That will be our theme as we explore wispy noctilucent clouds, a nova that can't sit still, and a supernova in NGC 5427 in Virgo.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 25 – July 3
Showy Venus and shy little Mars draw closer together in the western dusk. In the east, the Summer Triangle holds sway after dark with the Milky Way behind it.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 18 – 26
Summer begins. The Honey Moon poses with Spica, Scorpius, and the Teapot as it waxes from gibbous through full this week. Venus lines up, briefly, with Castor and Pollux
Summer Nights Offer Splendid Sights in Lyra
Lyra, the Lyre, offers a wonderful assortment of double stars and deep-sky objects to keep you up at night. Break out your binoculars and telescope and join me for a summertime ramble.
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.
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!