This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 12 – 21
Jupiter is easy to spot, shining low in the west at nightfall. Near it are Uranus and Comet Pons-Brooks, tougher catches that require binoculars or a wide-field telescope — and some finding skills.
The Planet K2-18b May Not Be Habitable After All
New research suggests Exoplanet K2-18b may actually be a gas-rich planet with no habitable surface instead of a habitable water world.
Plan Now for the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse in Europe
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will be visible across Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, with plenty of inspiring itineraries.
The Totality Experience: S&T’s Eclipse Stories
With Sky & Telescope’s editors and writers scattered across the eclipse path, we have dozens of stories to share. Here are a few.
11 Things to Take With You the Day of the Solar Eclipse
You might have your eclipse-viewing plans all worked out, but have you thought about all the other things you might need?
This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 5 – 14
Venus and Jupiter may shine through the blue sky during the April 8th solar eclipse even if the eclipse for you is only deep partial. After dark, Orion walks down in the southwest.
Where to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse Online
Watch the total solar eclipse — alongside interviews with scientists and astronauts — with these livestreams.
What Will the Sun's Corona Look Like During Totality?
The eclipse is coming up, and already scientists have predicted the appearance of the solar corona on the big day.
A Century of Sky, Digitized
The Harvard College Observatory's glass plates, which record a century of changes in the sky, have now been converted into digital form.
Are These Baby Pictures of the Milky Way?
Newly detected stellar aggregations in the Milky Way could be the remnants of protogalaxies from its formation — or just resonances with the galaxy's bar.
April Fool’s on the arXiv, 2024 edition
On this April 1st, astronomers reveal fascinating discoveries inspired by astrology, pasta, Star Wars, and flamingos.
April Podcast: Planets in Transition
April’s evening skies offer plenty of stars to check out. However, aside from Jupiter low in the west, planets are in short supply. Our latest Sky Tour podcast helps you track down Mars, Saturn, and much during April’s pleasant nights.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 29 – April 7
What? You say you're bored? The evening sky is moonless, the two Dog Stars align vertically, the Big Dipper dumps into the Little Dipper, and the Springs of the Gazelle cross the zenith.
An Early End for the Chandra X-Ray Observatory?
NASA budget constraints could wind down operations of the iconic Chandra X-Ray Observatory.
Apps to Help You See the Solar Eclipse
For the April 8th eclipse, mobile apps offer everything from weather forecasts to local circumstances. Here's a review of eclipse apps that you might find useful on the big day.
What Will We See in the Sky During Totality?
Most of our time will be focused on Sun during the minutes of totality on April 8th, but consider tearing yourself away for a few seconds to put it all in context.
Strong Magnetic Fields Swirl Near Milky Way’s Black Hole
Astronomers have detected twisted, orderly magnetic fields near the event horizon of Sagittarius A*.
Partial: The Solar Eclipse for the Rest of Us
Whether the Sun will become a dented ball or an eerie crescent of fire, a celestial shadow show awaits you practically everywhere in North and Central America.
Rethinking the Milky Way’s “Galactic Fountain”
The Milky Way recycles gas from dying stars to make new ones — but new observations show pristine gas also comes in from outside our galaxy.
Chasing the Eclipse from the Air
A solar-imaging instrument will fly on a high-altitude aircraft to explore infrared emission from the Sun’s corona.
