2061–2080 of 2,229 results
sunlight twice reflected

Space Satellites

How to Catch an Iridium Flare

These communications satellites can briefly outshine Venus as they spray the ground with reflected sunlight.

Variable Stars

Chi Cygni: A Wide-Ranging Variable

This red long-period variable is sometimes visible to the unaided eye — and sometimes invisible even in a 4-inch telescope.

Auroral curtains

Auroras

How to Get Aurora Predictions

Although forecasting an aurora remains an inexact science, here are several Web sites that go out on a limb and predict when an aurora might be imminent.

M31

Celestial Objects to Observe

111 Deep Sky Wonders for Light-Polluted Skies

Bright skies aren't empty skies. See for yourself how many treasures lie hidden in the glow of a city sky.

a yellow circle is partially covered by black on a black background

Eclipses

How to Safely See a Partial Solar Eclipse

Looking at the Sun is harmful to your eyes at any time, partial solar eclipse or no. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to watch the show safely.

Radiant of the Perseid meteor shower

Celestial News & Events

Moonlight Perseids

Although the peak has past, the Perseid meteor shower, an annual celestial event beloved by millions of skywatchers around the world, still has a few stragglers left to see. Try looking for some tonight.

M100

Celestial Objects to Observe

Observing Galaxies: Spiral, Elliptical, and Irregular

Trained eyes and clear, dark skies can open up a new dimension in deep-sky observing.

Blue Lagoon

Celestial Objects to Observe

Iceland: Fire, Ice, and the Aurora

Iceland is a destination with explosive geysers, majestic waterfalls, towering glaciers, steaming thermal baths — and magnificent northern lights.

Celestial Objects to Observe

Safe Solar Observing

When it comes to observing the Sun, remember — safety first!

Occultations

An Occultation Primer

The Moon frequently passes in front of stars. In rare cases, planets and asteroids will also obscure starlight for a short time. Here are some basic definitions that will help you understand what occultations are about.

Celestial News & Events

Some Special Events in 2006

It's going to be an active year for stargazers. Here's where you can find some of the highlights of 2006, including a list of upcoming lunar occultations.

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Linking to S&T's Interactive Sky Chart

Here are simple instructions to enhance your Web site by adding a link to S&T's Interactive Sky Chart customized for your location.

Perseid Meteor

Meteors

Observing the Perseids - A Perennial Guide

The Perseids meteor shower is one of the year's top astronomical highlights. Learn how best to see the meteors.

Orion Nebula

Deep Sky

Fuzzies in Your Future:
An Introduction to Deep-Sky Objects

Ready to voyage beyond the Solar System? Here's what you can see.

Night Sky Sights

Finding Uranus and Neptune in 2006

Binoculars and our charts are all you need to spot these twin outer planets.

The crater Tycho seen by Lunar Orbiter 5.

Celestial Objects to Observe

Tycho: The Metropolitan Crater of the Moon

Tycho is the most conspicuous crater visible near full Moon, shining brilliantly and radiating great long rays. But the rays from Tycho that partially encircle the full Moon are not distributed equally in all directions.

The craters Messier and Messier A

Celestial Objects to Observe

Messier on the Moon

Oblique impact resolves the mystery of one of the most bizarre crater pairs on the Moon: Messier and Messier A. Previous explanations for this crater pair ranged from imaginative to fantastical. All were wrong.

Plato proves the point

Celestial Objects to Observe

The Mysteries of Plato

The crater Plato is one of the superstars for observers of the Moon. It's big, conspicuous with its dark floor ringed by a bright rim, and long a subject of speculation, and controversy.

Mare Nectaris

Moon

Rings and Things

Mare Nectaris is the smallest of the circular maria on the Moon; lavas extend only 350 kilometers from shore to shore. But the Nectaris basin is beautifully defined by the spectacular Altai Scarp, which forms the southwestern rim of the basin.

Hipparcos satellite

Variable Stars

Mining Hipparcos's Buried Treasure

The satellite caught tantalizing pieces of light curves for many new variable stars. Now it's time to fill in the details.