SUNSET: 
Explore the Night with Bob King
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.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 2 – 10
Winter stars in the west are giving way to spring stars in the east, while little Mars shines on. Meanwhile, the waning Moon passes under Jupiter and Saturn at dawn.
Mutual Event Season Heats Up at Jupiter
Jupiter is usually the one occulting and eclipsing the Galilean moons, but this observing season the moons also eclipse and occult one another.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 26 – April 3
Fading Mars glows above orange Aldebaran high in the west after dark. Orion tilts into his spring posture, with his belt horizontal. Arcturus climbs up in the east.
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.
Explore the Night with Bob King
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.