SUNSET: 
Sky at a Glance | September 7th, 2007
Mars, brightening week by week, continues to dominate the eastern sky during the early-morning hours. Meanwhile Jupiter is sinking lower in the southwest during evening, and Venus (shown here) is climbing higher to shine as the "Morning Star" low in the dawn.
Measuring Neutron Stars Exactly
Astronomers can measure a neutron star's diameter by effects of gas skimming around its surface at 40% of light speed.
Sky at a Glance | August 31st, 2007
Mars, brightening week by week, continues to dominate the eastern sky during the early-morning hours. Meanwhile Jupiter is sinking lower in the southwest during evening, and Venus is now leaping up to shine as the "Morning Star" low in the dawn.
Lunar Eclipse on August 28th
Catch the Moon in eclipse before sunrise on August 28th.
Sky at a Glance | August 17th, 2007
This week brings an eclipse of the Moon to North America early on Tuesday morning the 28th, and a possible outburst of the Aurigid meteors before dawn on the morning of September 1st. Westerners have the best seats for both.
Sky at a Glance | August 17th, 2007
This is a great week to watch Jupiter and the dance of its moons. And don't miss our own Moon passing by it through Scorpius and Sagittarius.
A Great-Grandfather Star
By measuring radioactive decay the same way geologists date rocks on Earth, researchers have pegged the age of a very ancient star in the Milky Way — independently of any other knowledge or assumptions about astronomy.
The Coolest Dwarf
The infrared deep-sky survey now being carried out by the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope is only 5% done, but already astronomers looking at its data have found the coolest solitary brown dwarf ever seen.
Sky at a Glance | August 10th, 2007
The Perseid meteor shower should peak late on the night of Sunday the 12th, but you're likely to see occasional Perseids all week if you watch the stars. Meanwhile, Jupiter shines in the south at dusk, and Mars rises after midnight.
Stars that Smoke
Astronomers have resolved carbon soot clouds around one of the sky's best-known R Coronae Borealis–type variable stars.
The Most Puffed-Up Planet
Astronomers have discovered possibly the biggest exoplanet yet. TrES-4 is about 70% wider than Jupiter and has the average density of balsa wood.
Sky at a Glance | July 27th, 2007
Big Jupiter shines in early evening, little Mars shines in the small hours of the morning — and elusive Mercury is now displaying itself nicely low in the dawn.
Sky at a Glance | July 13th, 2007
Venus is sinking low, but it's got Saturn and Regulus to keep it company in its decline. For a couple days the Moon pays a visit too. (Think photo opportunity!) The Moon are sinking toward the horizon in the western twilight. But bright Jupiter, on the other side of the sky, comes into its own after dark.
Sky at a Glance | July 13th, 2007
Venus is sinking low, Saturn and Regulus are nearly out of sight, but busy Jupiter rules the sky after dark. And the Moon pays it a visit
Sky at a Glance | July 6th, 2007
Venus and Saturn are sinking toward the horizon in the western twilight. But bright Jupiter, on the other side of the sky, comes into its own after dark.
Sky at a Glance | June 29th, 2007
Venus and Saturn begin the week having a beautiful, eyecatching conjunction in the western twilight. Watch them draw apart day by day thereafter. On the other side of the sky, Jupiter is shining brightly ever higher in the southeast — with Antares to its lower right.
Sky at a Glance | June 22nd, 2007
It's happening at last. The two planets of the western twilight, Venus and Saturn, close the gap between them and reach conjunction on June 30th. On the other side of the sky, Jupiter is shining ever higher in the southeast.
Sky at a Glance | June 15th, 2007
In the fading glow of sunset, Saturn is closing in on bright Venus, while for several evenings, the waxing crescent Moon marches by. On the other side of the sky, Jupiter is getting ever higher in the southeast.
Sky at a Glance | June 8th, 2007
Bright Venus in the western twilight is closing on in Saturn. Regulus makes it a three-point lineup. And late in the week, the waxing crescent Moon starts to march up toward them.
Sky at a Glance | June 1st, 2007
Bright Venus is sinking down a little in twilight, still near Castor and Pollux. Look for Mercury far to its lower right. Saturn shines high to Venus's upper left. And on the other side of the sky, Jupiter is at opposition.
