SUNSET: 
What to See with Your New Telescope During 2017 Holidays
Maybe you just got a shiny new telescope to call your own. Congratulations — you could be on your way to discovering many amazing, far, deep things in the night sky. Although most of them are so far and faint that just locating and detecting them is the challenge! Whether…
What's the Thinnest Crescent Moon You Can See?
A slender Moon is an beautiful and inspiring sight. December and January offer several opportunities to see these exceptional crescents.
Fantastic Year for Geminid Meteor Shower
Mark the date: December 13th. That's the night the Geminid meteor shower peaks. Highlighted by the return of its parent asteroid 3200 Phaethon, this year's show promises to be one of the best ever.
Tour December's Sky: See 3 Planets at Dawn
As you'll hear in December's astronomy podcast, early risers are treated with views of Jupiter (obvious), Mars (not as easy), and Mercury (timing is everything!).
Asteroid 3200 Phaethon: Geminid Parent at Its Closest and Brightest!
The parent asteroid of next month's Geminid meteor shower, 3200 Phaethon, is about to make a historically close flyby. Get ready to watch it race across the sky.
Invite Ross 128 Over This Thanksgiving
With exoplanet Ross 128b in the news, we pay a visit to the star that sustains this potentially habitable exoplanet.
An Exquisite Venus–Jupiter Conjunction
Venus bids farewell at dawn, but not before a close encounter with returning Jupiter.
Results from October's Triton Cover-Up
By watching a star’s disappearance, astronomers learned about the state of the ultrathin atmosphere of Triton, Neptune's largest moon.
Comet Heinze (C/2017 T1): A Binocular Comet for the New Year?
Just discovered, Comet Heinze (C/2017 T) will zoom by Earth in January and may just show up in your binoculars.
November Occultations of Aldebaran & Regulus
The Moon occults two 1st-magnitude stars for much of North America just six days apart. The first event happens mostly in early-evening darkness, the second in broad daylight — an extra challenge for the adventurous.
Tour November's Sky: Predawn Planets
As you'll hear in this month's astronomy podcast, Venus and Jupiter are putting on quite a show low in the east before dawn.
Get Moonstruck on International Observe the Moon Night
International Observe the Moon Night gathers people together to observe the Moon and to learn more about it. This year InOMN will be on Saturday, October 28th.
Orionid Meteors Max Out Sunday, Zodiacal Light Returns
See what cosmic dust can do! Head outside this weekend for the peak of the Orionid meteor shower and an eyeful of zodiacal light.
Busy Skies Ahead: Comets, a Supernova, and a Dramatic Regulus Occultation
What's your pleasure when it comes to observing? Comets? Supernovae? Occultations? Get a sample of each and more in the upcoming week.
Venus and Mars Kiss at Dawn
Be sure to set the alarm so you don't miss the squeaky-tight conjunction of Venus and Mars Thursday morning. They'll stay close through the weekend.
Neptune's Moon Triton to Occult Star
Here’s an opportunity for amateurs to help improve our understanding of Neptune’s moon Triton.
Giant Sunspots, Flares Presage Arrival of Solar Storm
Two big, naked-eye sunspot groups are putting on a splendid show this week. We're also in the crosshairs for a strong geomagnetic storm and possible auroras.
Tour September's Sky: Saturn Time!
In September's astronomy podcast, you'll learn what's special about the ringed planet Saturn, now visible in the evening sky.
Asteroid Florence Pays Earth a Visit
Florence, one of the largest Earth-approaching asteroids, gets close enough to see in a small telescope this week and next. Here's how to find it.
Total Eclipse vs Solar Power
In addition to clogged roads and crowded hotels, the 2017 solar eclipse had another big effect on U.S. infrastructure: reduced solar power production.
