SUNSET: 
Sky at a Glance | March 14th, 2008
The waxing Moon in the evening sky passes Mars and then the Saturn-Regulus pair this week. Meanwhile, Venus and Mercury are tightly paired very low in the dawn.
Sky at a Glance | March 7th, 2008
The waxing crescent Moon marches up past the Pleiades and Hyades to reach first quarter toward the end of the week. Saturn closes in on Regulus. And Arcturus rises to signal the approach of spring.
Your March Audio Guide to the Heavens
Download this podcast to your MP3 player, and you'll be able to navigate the March evening sky like a seasoned stargazer. Find Mars, Saturn, Orion, the Twins of Gemini, and more! Host: S&T's Kelly Beatty. (6MB MP3 download: running time: 6m10s)
Sky at a Glance | February 29th, 2008
Saturn is in fine view just past opposition. This is the best time of year for seeing the zodiacal light. And Venus pairs up with Mercury low in the dawn.
Sky at a Glance | February 22nd, 2008
Saturn is at opposition; see if you can observe the Seeliger effect on its rings. Algol-eclipse week comes around again for North America. This is the best time of year for seeing the zodiacal light. And Venus pairs up with Mercury low in the dawn. So get outdoors!
Sky at a Glance | February 15th, 2008
When the Moon is in eclipse on the night of the 20th, take advantage of the dark sky to look for big, dim Comet Holmes! And with a telescope, look for the Seeliger effect on Saturn this week.
Sky at a Glance | February 8th, 2008
The Moon waxes from crescent to first quarter, Orion and Sirius shine their highest in the south during evening, and Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets, continue separating low in the dawn.
Tonight's Eclipse of the Moon
The full Moon goes into a spectacular, star-and-planet-studded total eclipse on the evening of February 20, 2008, for the Americas, and on the morning of the 21st for Europe and West Africa.
Sky at a Glance | February 1st, 2008
Orion and Sirius shine their highest in the south during evening. High above them Mars still glares brightly, but it's retreating into the interplanetary distance. Low in the dawn, bright Venus and Jupiter remain strikingly close together.
February's Audio Guide to the Heavens
After downloading this easy-to-follow sky tour, you'll have a front-row seat for Venus and Jupiter dancing in the dawn, Mars riding high among winter's evening stars, and a total lunar eclipse on February 20th.
Sky at a Glance | January 25th, 2008
The evening sky turns dark and moonless again, so check in on Comet Holmes high overhead after dark. The comet is spreading out wider every week. And try some deep-sky hunting with binoculars while you're at it. Low in the dawn, watch Venus and Jupiter closing in on each other every day.
Mercury, Messenger, and Observers
As the first images are released from Messenger's flyby of the innermost planet, previous ground-based observations are proving to be surprisingly accurate.
Sky at a Glance | January 11th, 2008
Mercury emerges from the glow of sunset, Jupiter emerges from the glow of sunrise, Venus blazes, Mars fades, and Algol dips.
Sky at a Glance | January 18th, 2008
Mercury is putting on a fine evening appearance, Mars is still close enough to show detail in a telescope, and Comet Holmes is crossing Algol in the moonlight. Meanwhile, early risers can watch Jupiter closing in on Venus at dawn.
Sky at a Glance | January 4th, 2008
Mars is getting higher in the east these evenings even as it shrinks into the distance. Mercury is just emerging from the glow of sunset, and Venus shines at dawn.
Your Audio Sky Tour: January 2008
Here's an introduction to the wonders of January evening sky — the impressive Quadrantid meteors, the gleaming planet Mars, and the glittering stars of Orion and Taurus. Host: S&T's Kelly Beatty. (5MB MP3 download: running time: 5m55s)
Sky at a Glance | December 28th, 2007
Mars outshines everything else high in the east these evenings, stealing the limelight from the bright winter constellations around it. Meanwhile, Comet Holmes just keeps growing — and Comet Tuttle is nearest and brightest this week.
Sky Highlights of 2008
Eclipses, occultations, conjunctions, and meteor showers — there's no shortage of celestial action in 2008.
Sky at a Glance | December 14th, 2007
This week Mars is at its closest to Earth; get out the telescope! And Comet Holmes just keeps growing, though it's dimmed by the increasing moonlight.
December's Audio Guide to the Heavens
You'll have an easy time spotting Orion leaping up into the sky — with dazzling Mars at his side — if you download this podcast to your MP3 player and head outdoors after dark.
