SUNSET: 
Reports from March 20th's Total Solar Eclipse
With risky prospects on far-northern islands and at a premium aboard aircraft, observers looked on with awe as the Moon's shadow swept across the Arctic Ocean
Getting to Totality: Not Easy!
As the countdown for Friday's total solar eclipse nears zero, "umbraphiles" from around the world are flocking to remote parts of the far north in the hope of finding clear skies.
Nova (Nova Sagittarii 2015 No. 2) Erupts in Sagittarius
A 6th-magnitude nova has erupted inside the Sagittarius Teapot. It may (or may not) still be brightening.
Comet Lovejoy Shines On
Follow Comet Lovejoy high overhead while you still can. Use our February finder chart below. The comet is fading more slowly than expected.
March 20th's Arctic Total Solar Eclipse
When the Moon next covers the Sun, on the equinox, its hard-to-reach path will include the North Pole but very little land.
Tour March's Sky: Orion and His Belt
As we transition between seasons, Orion rides high in the evening sky — easily found by spotting the row of three bright stars in his Belt.
Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2015
Two total lunar eclipses occur this year, on April 4th and September 27−28. Meanwhile, a total solar eclipse in March sweeps across remote Arctic waters on March 20th, and a partial event on September 13th is likewise poorly placed for observing. Any list of nature's grandest spectacles would certainly include…
Venus and Mars Pair Tightly at Dusk
Earth's two closest planetary neighbors draw strikingly close together this week.
The King Holds Court — Jupiter at Opposition
Jupiter reaches opposition on February 6, 2015. Find out how to see the planet king at its best.
Tour February's Sky: Two Conjunctions
Some of the prettiest nighttime sights involve the close pairing of two solar-system bodies, and February features events with the Moon and Jupiter, then Venus and Mars.
Where to See Comet Lovejoy Tonight
The new Comet Lovejoy, C/2014 Q2, should brighten from 5th to 4th magnitude from late December through January as it climbs into excellent viewing position for the Northern Hemisphere, high in the dark winter sky.
Bright Comet Prospects for 2015
Has Comet Q2 Lovejoy stoked you to see more of these celestial travelers? We look into the crystal ball to see what's coming in 2015.
Mountain-size Asteroid Glides Past Earth
With a small telescope and our sky charts, you can watch the sizable near-Earth asteroid 2004 BL86 race among the stars on the night of January 26–27.
Rare Triple Shadow Transit Not to Miss!
Get your scope ready for a rare event this Friday night when one after another three of Jupiter's brightest moons and their shadows parade across its face.
Catch Comet Finlay's Sudden Brightening
For the second time in as many months, the periodic comet 15P/Finlay has surged in brightness. Spot it soon — before the Moon interferes — using our exclusive sky charts.
Oops! No Alpha Comae Eclipse After All
Astronomers say that a once-in-26-year eclipse, predicted to occur in January, probably happened months ago without anyone seeing it.
Are You Game for a Dawn Conjunction?
Will you brave the cold Friday morning to witness the conjunction of Saturn and the waning Moon?
Tour January's Sky: The Pleiades
Our downloadable monthly podcast offers highlights for stargazing in January, how to find the planets, and a special look at the Pleiades star cluster
Binocular Comet Lovejoy Heading Our Way
A new Comet Lovejoy, C/2014 Q2, is heading our way. It may brighten to 5th magnitude from late December through much of January as it climbs into excellent viewing position for the Northern Hemisphere, high in the dark winter sky.
Top Tips for Stargazing with Your New Telescope
Thousands of telescopes are given and received as gifts during the holidays. But once you've assembled your new treasure, then what? The editors of Sky & Telescope magazine point the way.
