SUNSET: 
Let the Star Parties Begin!
Want to gaze at the Milky Way all night or peer into the eyepiece of a 12-inch telescope? Escape the city lights and head for the nearest big amateur nighttime gathering.
Tour August's Sky! | June 22nd, 2012
Mark your calendars for the night of Saturday, August 11th, when the Perseid meteor shower will peak. Stay up late to catch the risings of Jupiter and Venus, or just enjoy Mars and Saturn low in the evening twilight.
2012 Venus Transit: S&T Reports
Clouds, veering cabbies, and old optics didn’t deter committed spectators of this last-chance astronomical event.
Transits of Venus in History: 1769-today
Read the third and final chapter of transits of Venus in history, as the transits went from being a crucial scientific measurement to an observing curiosity.
Transits of Venus in History: 1761
Read the next chapter in the history of the transit of Venus, the fantastic voyages in 1761.
Transits of Venus in History: 1631-1716
Read the full account — in three parts — of the history behind the upcoming transit of Venus.
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.
