SUNSET: 
Occultations by Triton and Patientia
Skywatchers in North America can make valuable timings of these events on May 6, 2007.
Outburst of the Eta Aquarids?
A very old dust trail from Halley's Comet could enhance this meteor shower on May 6, 2007.
Spring's Comet Lovejoy
During the next few weeks, early risers in the Northern Hemisphere can follow recently-discovered Comet Lovejoy as it makes its way northward past some familiar telescopic sights.
Earth's "Other Moon"
Last year Earth's gravity apparently captured a tiny asteroid that ventured too near our planet. But this "second Moon" will only hang around until June, when it'll get shoved back out into interplanetary space.
Porter Garden Telescope Changes Hands
At the Boston auction house of Skinner, Inc., one of the most coveted of telescope collectibles recently went on the block. Barely more than a dozen of these elegant bronze garden ornaments from the 1920s are known to exist today.
New Comet in Indus
After a two-year search, on March 15, 2007, Australian amateur Terry Lovejoy found his first comet.
January's Surprise Comet
A major comet, known as Comet McNaught or C/2006 P1, is right now making its way through the inner solar system. It’s already as bright as the brightest stars, but it is also sticking close to the glare of the Sun.
Sky Highlights of 2007
As in any year, the starry heavens unroll with the seasons, and our solar system provides ever-changing sights much closer to home. Here's a taste of special events to watch for in 2007.
The Moon Crosses the Pleiades Tonight
Late Monday evening, small-telescope owners throughout North America can see the bright Moon pass directly in front of the Pleiades star cluster.
Boston’s Classy Telescope Auction
The Skinner auction in Boston featured a stunning array of “brass and glass.” Many of the astronomical items came from the collection of Don Yeier (Vernonscope & Co.), himself the organizer of 12 previous auctions of astronomical instruments since 1974.
April's Lyrid Meteor Shower
Traditionally the Lyrids are a poor shower — rarely do they surprise observers.
Phenomena of Jupiter's Moons
Virtually any telescope will show Jupiter's four Galilean satellites and their interesting interactions with the planet or its shadow.
Is it possible to detect Jupiter's satellites with the unaided eye?
I’ve heard it might be possible to detect Jupiter’s satellites with the unaided eye if Callisto and Ganymede appear together when Ganymede is at greatest elongation from Jupiter. Will this happen anytime soon? Jupiter is now setting soon after sunset. But three times in 2008, Texans (and North Americans generally)…
Why do the best roof-prism binoculars need a phase-correction coating?
Why do the best roof-prism binoculars need a phase-correction coating? How does it work, and why is it not used in Porro-prism binoculars? A roof prism splits the light cone from an objective lens into two separate pathways, involving different internal reflections, before recombining them into an erect image at…
Can Venus ever be far enough from the Sun to appear east of the meridian?
During the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice, when the Sun is farthest south and sets in the southwest, can Venus ever be far enough from the Sun to appear east of the meridian? Yes, but only when viewed from near-arctic latitudes. In late 2008, for example, Venus is the Evening Star…
How large an asteroid could a person jump off?
How large an asteroid could a person jump off? This interesting question goes back to 1952 or even earlier. It turns out that the asteroid must be no bigger than 3.9 v(ρe / ρ) kilometers in diameter, where ρ is the asteroid’s density and ρe is that of Earth in…
Is there another planet besides Earth whose moon(s) would fit perfectly over the Sun?
It is amazing when you think about the coincidence of the Sun being 400 times bigger than our Moon, yet 400 times farther away, producing an almost perfect fit for a total solar eclipse. Is there another planet whose moon(s) would fit perfectly over the Sun, or are we just…
What date were the two principal stars of the Alpha Centauri system last known to be closest to each other?
On what terrestrial date were the two principal stars of the Alpha Centauri system last known to be closest to each other in space? According to the orbit recently published by Belgian astronomer Dimitri Pourbaix, α1 and α2 Centauri were closest in space (at periastron) in early August 1955, and…
Could the lunar crescent be seen in a telescope at new Moon?
Is the Moon’s orbit inclined sufficiently that, when it misses the Sun by the greatest amount north (or south), the lunar crescent could be seen in a telescope at new Moon? Probably not. The inclination of the Moon’s orbit to the ecliptic varies from 5.0° to 5.3°. French astronomer André…
How is the time of new (or full) Moon defined?
How is the time of new (or full) Moon defined? Astronomically, the Moon is new when it and the Sun have the same celestial longitude. The Moon is at first-quarter phase when its longitude is 90° greater than that of the Sun. The Moon is full when its longitude is…
