SUNSET: 
Mars: The Show Continues
Mars will remain a fiery yellow-orange beacon in the evening sky during the first half of September and will shrink and fade only a little until well into October.
Another Martian Dust Storm
Less than one month after a localized dust storm appeared on the Martian surface, another dust cloud has spring up.
Mercury Transits the Sun
When this innermost planet passes between the Earth and the Sun on May 7th, it will appear as a tiny black "sunspot" in small telescopes.
Catch Hermes on the Fly
Since 1937, Hermes has made eight unseen flybys past Earth. In late October, the asteroid will be 13th magnitude — bright enough to be seen in scopes 10-inches and larger.
Upcoming Asteroid Occultation
S&T illustration. A few minutes before 5:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 24th, the 170-kilometer-wide minor planet 334 Chicago passes in front of the 8.5-magnitude star SAO97327 in Gemini. The nominal path for this event crosses Philadelphia (at about 9:57 Universal Time) and continues westward across Lake Michigan, just…
Jupiter's Moon Dances
Every six years, for a few months at a time, Jupiter's satellites engage in a wonderful variety of alignments. They're starting up again.
An Observer's Guide to Mars
In 2001 the red planet swung closer to Earth than it had since 1988. It'll be even better in 2003. Here's an observer's guide from the 2001 opposition to whet your appetite for 2003.
Mercury Transit Tales
Mostly clear skies in Europe, the Far East, and Australia meant that many amateurs were able to view this rare event.
Viewing Mercury at Its Best
Fast-moving Mercury can be elusive. But spotting this sparkling little planet is easy if you know where and when to look.
Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in 2003
With our detailed charts, you'll be able to locate the outer planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto the rest of the year.
Mars Glides Between Two Nebulae
During the predawn hours of March 5th and 6th, watch as Mars glides between a close pair of nebulae — the Lagoon (M8) and the Trifid (M20).
Crescent Moon Joins Three Planets at Dawn
The waning crescent Moon helps point the way to Mars, Venus, and Mercury before sunrise on Monday through Wednesday mornings.
A Star Prepares to Blow Its Top
Easily found with the naked eye, 4th-magnitude Rho Cassiopeiae may be getting ready for an enormous mass ejection in the next few months.
Saturn Transits the Crab
During the night of January 4–5, North American observers are well positioned to watch Saturn transit the face of M1, the Crab Nebula. But will the glare from the planet obscure the nebula?
Ceres and Melpomene in Binoculars
With paths that crisscross in Cetus, the Whale, these two asteroids make fine observing targets for the rest of 2002.
Asteroid Flyby Seen Worldwide
Last weekend's close encounter between Earth and asteroid 2002 NY40 was seen by amateur astronomers worldwide.
How to Watch Saturday's Asteroid Flyby
For help in locating asteroid 2002 NY40 on August 17–18, Sky & Telescope has prepared four (PDF) finder charts (see page 2). S&T: Roger Sinnott and Gregg Dinderman. On Saturday night, August 17–18, a recently discovered asteroid will pass close enough to Earth to be easily spotted in small telescopes…
Asteroid Hunters Receive Grants
Five amateur astronomers specializing in the observation and early detection of Earth-crossing asteroids and comets were each awarded Shoemaker Near-Earth Object Grants from the Planetary Society.
A Close Encounter with an Asteroid
Over four weeks, the brightness of asteroid 2002 NY40 will brighten by more than 3,000 times. It will peak at magnitude 9.3 (bright enough to be seen through a small telescope or large binoculars) as it drifts rapidly through the northern Milky Way on the night of August 17–18. This…
Australe: A Mare on the Edge
This mare is a challenging sight; view it July 16th to 19th and August 12th to 15th.
