SUNSET: 
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 26 – March 6
Mars is passing the Pleiades. Sirius and Canis Major take over the early-evening meridian from Orion. And low in the dawn, Jupiter closes in on Mercury.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 19 – 27
Sirius the Dog Star blazes high in the southeast after dinnertime, the brightest star of Canis Major. Spot it lower left of Orion. The stars of Canis Major can be connected to form a convincing dog profile.
Watch the Moon Journey Across the Winter Hexagon
About once a month this winter, we can watch the Moon take a four-day journey across a field of stars termed the "Winter Hexagon."
A Deep-sky Hippity-hop through Lepus, the Hare
Snare a dozen bright double stars and deep-sky objects in the celestial Hare the next clear night. We also provide details on how to watch the potentially hazardous asteroid Apophis occult a star the night of February 21st.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 12 – 20
The Moon, waxing through first quarter, passes Mars and Aldebaran high in the evening sky.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 5 – 13
The sky's biggest asterism — at least the biggest one widely recognized — is the Winter Hexagon. It fills the sky toward the east and south these evenings. Start with brilliant Sirius at its bottom. . .
Planets and Comets Can't Hide from SOHO's Eye
With the help of the Solar Heliospheric Observatory you can not only keep track of the planets in the daytime sky but maybe even discover a comet.
February: The Hare & Unicorn
When you step outside to admire the crisp, starlit night sky on February evenings, bring along our Sky Tour astronomy podcast to learn which stars and constellations are overhead. Here’s a preview of what you'll see.
Meet Castor, Six Stars in One
Castor, a prime ornament of the Gemini constellation and one of the brightest stars in the sky, is actually a system of stars with six unique members.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 29 – February 6
Once the night is fully dark, spot the equilateral Winter Triangle in the southeast. Sirius is its brightest and lowest star. Betelgeuse stands above Sirius by about two fists at arm's length. To the left of their midpoint is Procyon. Compare their colors!
Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2021
Four eclipses occur in 2021, with annular and total solar eclipses alternating between total and not-quite-total lunar eclipses.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 22 – 30
Right after dark, face east and look very high. The bright star there is Capella, the Goat Star. To the right of it, by a couple of finger-widths at arm's length, is a small, narrow triangle of 3rd- and 4th-magnitude stars known as "the Kids." Though they're not exactly eye-grabbing, they form a never-forgotten asterism with Capella.
Comet Watch 2021
If you own an 8-inch or larger telescope you might see more than a dozen new and returning comets this year, including one potential naked-eye candidate.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 15 – 23
Bright Capella high overhead, and equally bright Rigel in Orion's foot, have almost the same right ascension. This means they cross your sky’s meridian at almost exactly the same time. So whenever Capella passes the zenith, Rigel marks true south, and vice versa. That happens around 9 or 10 p.m. now.
Stargazer's Corner: Adventures Under the Night Sky
Solar Eruption During the Great Patagonian Eclipse
The recent total solar eclipse visible from Chile and Argentina had some surprises: Photos revealed a total solar eclipse and comets not seen by eye.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 8 – 16
Twilight challenge: the planet-conjunction finale! Jupiter and Saturn are becoming ever harder to pick up low in bright twilight, but bring those binoculars on Saturday Jan. 9th. Because then they'll be three! Mercury is emerging to join them. It will pass by them for a couple more days.
Foraging for Deep-sky Delights with Capella, the Goat Star
We explore deep-sky riches within a stone's throw of Capella, one of the season's brightest stars.
Meet Kochab, a Guardian of the Pole
Meet the stars: Kochab is no record-breaking bright star, but it's easy enough to find — and it may have played an important role through history.
January: The Hyades & Pleiades
Start the new year right with the easy-to-follow stargazing highlights offered by our Sky Tour astronomy podcast. Here's a preview of this month's guided audio tour.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 1 – 9
As Jupiter and Saturn continue to draw apart, they're sinking ever lower in the southwest in twilight. How much longer can you keep them in view?
