221–240 of 459 results
Mini-moon discovered

Celestial News & Events

Earth Has A Mini-Moon — But Not for Long!

Two astronomers discovered a temporary mini-moon captured by Earth — but it's about to win its freedom.

Mars at the moon's edge

Astronomy Blogs

Watch the Moon Occult Mars Before Sunrise on February 18th

Occultations of stars by the Moon occur routinely, but planetary lunar occultations are much rarer birds. That's why I hope you'll make the effort Tuesday morning February 18th to watch the waning crescent Moon occult the planet Mars.

A bright supernova

Comets

The Latest on Betelgeuse, Plus a Bright Supernova and New Comet Iwamoto

The sky provides. This winter, the fading of Betelgeuse caught us all by surprise. Now, as January wraps up, we can add a new comet discovery and a supernova bright enough to see in a 6-inch telescope to an ever-growing list of seasonal sky wonders.

Comet PanSTARRS blooms

Observing

Comets to Catch in 2020

Here's the lowdown on which comets will brighten our skies in 2020.

Geminids Dec 13_2018 Bob King 480x274

Explore the Night with Bob King

Geminids and the Moon Duke it Out

Don't let light from the gibbous Moon discourage you from enjoying the annual Geminid meteor show on the peak night, December 13-14.

The Great Square of Pegasus

Explore the Night with Bob King

Counting Stars in the Great Square

Test the limits of your vision — and the darkness of your sky — by taking a plunge into the Great Square of Pegasus.

Alpha Monocerotid Radiants

Celestial News & Events

Intense Meteor Storm Expected from the Alpha Monocerotids

Circle the date November 21st on your calendar, when a brief but potentially spectacular meteor storm might light up the night.

Observing

Don't Miss Monday's Rare Transit of Mercury

On Monday, November 11th, Mercury will pass directly in front of the Sun and look a tiny black dot silhouetted against the brilliant solar disk. The event, called a transit, occurs approximately 13 times a century.

Incoming point

Astronomy & Observing News

"Potentially Hazardous" Asteroid Is Headed For Your Telescope

A potentially hazardous asteroid makes a flyby of Earth this Friday, offering amateurs with modest telescopes a chance to ride along.

Observing

Crack Your Crescent Moon Record

Calling all crescent lovers! Here's a chance to set a new personal record by seeing one of the oldest moons ever.

Comet Africano in full glory

Explore the Night with Bob King

Autumn Comets, Mira's Eye & The Orionid Meteor Shower

Four comets, a famous variable star, and sprinkles of dust from Halley's Comet are highlights of the October sky.

Observing

Treasure Hunting in the Hall of the Deep-Sky King

Cepheus, the King, has hidden his treasure well but not so much that curious amateurs can't find more than enough to stuff their pockets.

Interstellar Comet Borisov

Astronomy & Observing News

Will Amateurs Be Able to See the New Interstellar Comet?

Only the second object thus far to visit the solar system from interstellar space, Comet Borisov is expected to reach perihelion in December. What can we see now?

Astronomy & Observing News

Another Interstellar Visitor Is Headed Our Way

An amateur astronomer has discovered a comet that might be the second interstellar visitor after 'Oumuamua — and it's heading for its closest approach to the Sun late this year.

Observing

Observe Neptune as it Comes to Opposition

Neptune, currently the Solar System's outermost planet, reached opposition on September 10th at magnitude 7.8 in Aquarius.

Crowning glory

Observing

Volcanoes Turn Twilights Purple

A rash of unusually colorful sunsets follows in the wake of two major volcanic eruptions. 

Trojan asteroids

Astronomy Blogs

Be a Warrior — Tackle a Trojan Asteroid

You've seen Jupiter and its four brightest moons. Now meet the rest of the family — the Trojan asteroids.

Observing

Get to Know the Ghostly Galaxies of Sagittarius

We often think of Sagittarius as home to one galaxy only — the Milky Way. But two members of the Local Group and a smattering of fainter galaxies reside here, too.

Moment of impact

Explore the Night with Bob King

Texas Amateur Detects Possible Impact on Jupiter

It looks like Jupiter got slammed again! A bright flash from a possible impact lit up the planet's South Equatorial Belt Tuesday night. 

Observing

Perseid Prospects, Mornings with Mercury and the Lunar X

With the Perseid shower, a great morning apparition of Mercury, and a chance to see craters scratch out an X on the moon, skywatchers have a busy week ahead! 

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