SUNSET: 
Bright Nova Erupts in Cassiopeia
A new nova in Cassiopeia, discovered on March 18th, is bright enough to see in a small telescope.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 19 – 27
The waxing Moon shines with Mars and Aldebaran on Friday evening the 19th. From there the Moon marches east day by day – first between the horn stars of Taurus, then across Gemini to sidle up to Castor and Pollux on the 22nd.
Exploring Bright Galaxy Groups in Leo
Leo, the Lion, stands high in the southern sky during the early spring. We visit some of the constellation's brighter galaxy clumps then go asteroid hunting.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 12 – 20
The waxing Moon passes between Mars and Aldebaran in the evening sky. Arcturus, the "Spring Star," climbs up in the east, while wintry Orion tilts down in the southwest.
This Week's Sky At a Glance, March 5 – 13
Sirius shines high on the meridian right after dark, as Orion starts tilting westward. Mars keeps company with the Pleiades. And three planets help you greet the dawn.
March — A Good Time to Visit Vesta
Dip into this easy guide to seeing the brightest asteroid, Vesta, and understanding what makes it unique.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 26 – March 6
Mars is passing the Pleiades. Sirius and Canis Major take over the early-evening meridian from Orion. And low in the dawn, Jupiter closes in on Mercury.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 19 – 27
Sirius the Dog Star blazes high in the southeast after dinnertime, the brightest star of Canis Major. Spot it lower left of Orion. The stars of Canis Major can be connected to form a convincing dog profile.
A Deep-sky Hippity-hop through Lepus, the Hare
Snare a dozen bright double stars and deep-sky objects in the celestial Hare the next clear night. We also provide details on how to watch the potentially hazardous asteroid Apophis occult a star the night of February 21st.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 12 – 20
The Moon, waxing through first quarter, passes Mars and Aldebaran high in the evening sky.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 5 – 13
The sky's biggest asterism — at least the biggest one widely recognized — is the Winter Hexagon. It fills the sky toward the east and south these evenings. Start with brilliant Sirius at its bottom. . .
Planets and Comets Can't Hide from SOHO's Eye
With the help of the Solar Heliospheric Observatory you can not only keep track of the planets in the daytime sky but maybe even discover a comet.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 29 – February 6
Once the night is fully dark, spot the equilateral Winter Triangle in the southeast. Sirius is its brightest and lowest star. Betelgeuse stands above Sirius by about two fists at arm's length. To the left of their midpoint is Procyon. Compare their colors!
Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2021
Four eclipses occur in 2021, with annular and total solar eclipses alternating between total and not-quite-total lunar eclipses.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 22 – 30
Right after dark, face east and look very high. The bright star there is Capella, the Goat Star. To the right of it, by a couple of finger-widths at arm's length, is a small, narrow triangle of 3rd- and 4th-magnitude stars known as "the Kids." Though they're not exactly eye-grabbing, they form a never-forgotten asterism with Capella.
Comet Watch 2021
If you own an 8-inch or larger telescope you might see more than a dozen new and returning comets this year, including one potential naked-eye candidate.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 15 – 23
Bright Capella high overhead, and equally bright Rigel in Orion's foot, have almost the same right ascension. This means they cross your sky’s meridian at almost exactly the same time. So whenever Capella passes the zenith, Rigel marks true south, and vice versa. That happens around 9 or 10 p.m. now.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 8 – 16
Twilight challenge: the planet-conjunction finale! Jupiter and Saturn are becoming ever harder to pick up low in bright twilight, but bring those binoculars on Saturday Jan. 9th. Because then they'll be three! Mercury is emerging to join them. It will pass by them for a couple more days.
What to See with Your New Telescope During 2020 Holidays
Maybe you just got a shiny new telescope. Awaiting you are stupendous, faraway things in the night sky. Surely you're itching to try it out....
Jupiter and Saturn Embrace in Solstice Conjunction
Jupiter and Saturn fashion the Great Conjunction of 2020 when they pair up on December 21st, the winter solstice. That evening they'll be closest in nearly 400 years.
