SUNSET: 
Fireworks, Planets, Comets, a Nova — July's Got it All!
July's a busy month for skywatching. Not only are five bright planets in view, but three comets and a newly-discovered nova are also observable. And it all starts with a bang on Independence Day.
Tour July's Sky: Planet Parade
This month's astronomy podcast tells you how to spot a five bright planets — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn — in the evening sky.
See Saturn at Its Highest & Brightest This Week
Saturn arrives at opposition on June 27th, very close to the time of full Moon.
Big Dust Storm Blows up on Mars (Updated)
Will Mars soon be hidden under a veil of dust? Let's hope not. We explore the current storm and the planet's upcoming close opposition.
Mars Dust Storm Grows — Curiosity's Skies Darkening
The dust storm on Mars that broke out at the end of May is now affecting the skies across the entire planet.
Observe Changes on Mars
The nearby Red Planet displays remarkable changes every apparition. Whenever Mars approaches opposition, keep an eye out for some of these differences.
Asteroid 2018 LA Explodes Over Botswana Hours After Discovery
Don't look now — it's already gone! Asteroid 2018 LA screeched into Earth's atmosphere only 7 hours after its discovery to create a Sun-bright spectacle over South Africa and Botswana.
Tour June's Sky: Venus, Jupiter & Saturn
As you'll learn in this month's astronomy podcast, Jupiter and Saturn will compete with brilliant Venus for your attention in the late-evening sky.
Vesta Gets Close and Bright
Vesta, the brightest asteroid, puts on one of its best shows ever in June, when it shines enough to see without optical aid.
Antares Launch to Light Up Sunday Morning Sky
The Cygnus OA-9 mission launching from Wallops Island early Sunday morning could put on quite a show along the East Coast.
Jupiter Shines with a Mighty Light
Jupiter's at opposition this week. Close and bright, it shines like a midnight version of Venus. No matter your scope, the biggest planet is always a crowd-pleaser.
Dwarf Nova V392 Persei Goes Big — It's Now Binocular Bright
In a rare move, a sleepy cataclysmic variable blows its top and suddenly becomes a nova.
Tour May's Sky: Venus Welcomes Jupiter
This month's astronomy podcast tells you how to use Venus and the Big Dipper to find many bright stars and constellations. Meanwhile, Jupiter lurks low in the east after darkness falls.
The Lyrid Shower Kicks Off Year of Great Meteor Watching
The annual Lyrid meteor shower will shoot off silent fireworks on Earth Day this Sunday. We explore the shower's origin and how best to view and photograph it.
Spring Astronomy Day 2018
Looking for something to do on Saturday? Make plans to celebrate Astronomy Day on April 21st!
Asteroid 113 Amalthea to Occult Star
Here's an opportunity for amateur astronomers to reveal more about asteroid Amalthea's satellite.
Big Scope Breakout: New Supernovae, Novae, Bright Spot on Saturn
The sky's been bursting with exploding stars this season. Plus there's a new storm on Saturn. What's a skywatcher to do? Haul out the scope!
Tour April's Sky: Venus Ascending
This month's astronomy podcast guides you around the nighttime sky during April, giving you easy-to-follow help for finding bright planets and key stars after the Sun goes down.
Last Chance to See Doomed Chinese Space Station
China's premier space station, Tiangong 1, has a one-way ticket into the Earth's atmosphere later this month. See it before it's no more.
Tour March's Sky: Planet Peeks at Dusk
With winter's chill fading away, this is a great time to gaze up into the stars — and to be ready for an evening appearance by fleet-footed Mercury. This month's astronomy podcast guides you around the nighttime sky.
