SUNSET: 
Tour July's Sky! | May 30th, 2012
This month, you can see a pair of planets before sunrise and another pair after sunset. In each case, one of them is situated near a bright star.
What is the Black-Drop Effect?
The famous (or infamous) black-drop effect earned its place in history long before astronomers knew what caused it.
Transits of Venus Explained
The transits of Venus are separated alternately by 8, 105, or 121½ years, making June 5-6's transit the last we'll see in our lifetimes. Find out the method behind the madness of Venus's transit cycle.
Your Viewing Guide to the Transit of Venus
The upcoming transit of Venus is one of those rare and momentous spectacles in observational astronomy that you absolutely don't want to miss. Read about what you can expect to see.
The Disappearing Black Drop
When you observe the upcoming transit of Venus on June 5th or 6th, will you see the black drop?
Where to See the Transit of Venus Online
Find out where you can view June 5th or 6th's transit of Venus online.
Join the "Target Asteroids!" Project
If you're an amateur observer with decent equipment and an itch to do some serious observing, a team from the OSIRIS-REx mission wants to hear from you!
How to Photograph the Transit of Venus
Learn how to photograph the upcoming transit of Venus.
Venus Takes the Plunge
The brightest planet has dominated the evening sky for months. But during May it sinks rapidly toward the setting Sun — and its historic transit across the solar disk in early June.
Venus Befriends Crescent Moon
The crescent Moon lies close to crescent Venus just after twilight tonight, a great target for a good pair of binoculars.
Nova (Nova Sagittarii 2012) Erupts in Sagittarius
Observers have reported a "new star," now visible in the predawn sky, that can be seen in small telescopes or good binoculars.
A Good Year for Lyrid Meteors
If you've never tried to observe late April's Lyrid meteor shower, this might be the year to try — thanks to moonless skies and a peak that favors North America.
Tour June's Sky! | April 17th, 2012
Mars and Saturn are the two bright planets in the evening sky. They're joined by a host of springtime sparklers, including Arcturus (overhead at dusk) and Vega. This month also features the long-awaited transit of Venus and a partial lunar eclipse.
Tour May's Sky! | April 15th, 2012
Follow the giant arc of bright planets that leads eastward from the just-set Sun: Venus low in the west, Mars midway up in the south, and Saturn over in the east. Then look overhead for the Big Dipper — the "Swiss Army knife" of the night sky.
Comet Pan-STARRS: Still on Track
The inbound comet C/2011 L4, discovered last year, has been brightening steadily the past few months. It could still fizzle — or it could become a pretty bauble in post-sunset skies next March.
Venus Passes the Pleiades
Venus is passing through the Pleiades in a breathtaking spectacle that reaches its peak on April 3rd. This unique pairing is part of a series of Venus events in 2012, culminating in the June transit of the Sun.
Supernova in M95
Professional and amateur astronomers recently spotted a new supernova in the spiral galaxy M95. But it took a few days to figure out what it actually was.
Exciting Event on Mars!
Observers are reporting an unusual event on the Red Planet, well placed for western U.S. residents this evening.
June 4th's Partial Eclipse of the Moon
On the morning of Monday, June 4th, skywatchers in the Americas can catch a partial lunar eclipse low in the western sky before and/or during dawn.
The Moon Visits Jupiter and Venus
The crescent Moon visits Jupiter on the evening of Sunday, March 25th, and it visits Venus on Monday night.
