Solar Cycle Solved?
Researchers tracking material deep inside the Sun think that they have solved the mystery of the 11-year sunspot cycle — and they they can predict the next cycles' strength.
A Surprise Comet in the Dawn
Comet Pojmanski has brightened more than expected as it enters the dawn sky for Northern Hemisphere observers. Can you spot it with binoculars?
Near-Earth Asteroid Flyby, March 610
Catch the 12th- to 13th-magnitude asteroid 2000 PN9 (23187) crossing the northern sky.
Moon Occults Spica February 17th
The waning gibbous Moon will cover 1st-magnitude Spica for parts of eastern North America on Friday night, February 17, 2006.
Mars Receding in the Evening Sky
Blazing in the eastern sky these evenings, Mars is putting on a rare appearance not to miss.
The Highest Full Moon Overhead
On Thursday, December 15, 2005, the full Moon will be just about at the most northerly declination it can ever attain.S&T: Rick Fienberg. When the Moon is full this Thursday, December 15th, go out around midnight and look up. I mean really up. If you live in the world's midnorthern…
The Christmas Morning Occultation of Spica
Start the holiday a special way: by watching the waning crescent Moon cover a 1st-magnitude star.
Astro Image in the News:
Partial Lunar Eclipse
Many watched as the full Moon skimmed the edge of the Earth's shadow on Monday morning, October 17, 2005.
A Ring to Remember: the October 3rd Annular Eclipse
The unusually thick annular eclipse of the Sun over Spain and Africa wowed millions.
The October 17th Partial Lunar Eclipse
Western North America and Hawaii get a slight eclipse of the Moon on the morning of Monday, October 17th.
Big Sunspot Group Spawns Flares, Auroras
A very active sunspot group is rotating to face Earth. Radio disruptions have already begun, and auroras may light the night skies.
Venus and Jupiter Kiss in Twilight
This evening brings the much-awaited conjunction of the two brightest planets low in the west-southwest.
Supernova in M51
A 14th-magnitude supernova is shining near the nucleus of the Whirlpool Galaxy, M51, after being discovered by an amateur astronomer on June 28, 2005.
Perseids 2005: A First Report
Despite only average rates, this year's shower brought an unusual proportion of bright meteors.
The Comet After Deep Impact
Follow Comet Tempel 1 with your telescope using our charts — and read what others have been seeing.
The Moon Occults Fiery Antares
Set your alarm clock to watch the last-quarter Moon cross a first-magnitude star on the morning of March 3rd.
The July 17–18 Occultation of Antares
Watch the gibbous Moon cover the bright star Antares on Sunday night — if you're in the right place!
Astro News Briefs: June 612
Deep Impact's Vision
Bogus Mars Chain Letter
Three Planets Bunch Up in Twilight
Venus, Mercury, and Saturn are performing a slow dance low in the western sky at dusk.

Pallas in the Realm of the Galaxies
Catch Pallas, the year's brightest asteroid, as it traverses the Virgo Galaxy Cluster.