SUNSET: 
Southern Double-Star Gems
The treasure-filled skies of the Southern Hemisphere offer observers more than showpiece clusters and nebulae.
Observing Double Stars for Fun and Science
Amateur observations of visual double stars are desperately needed. Here¹s how you can take the plunge.
Why do you need a hydrogen-alpha filter to see solar prominences?
If I can see solar prominences with the naked eye during a total eclipse, why do I need a hydrogen-alpha filter to see them at other times? During a total eclipse the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s photosphere, or visible “surface,” allowing prominences (and the corona) to shine in all…
Take a "Sat-seeing" Tour
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the International Space Station! Learn how to spot Earth's artificial satellites.
Catch the Green Flash!
It sounds like a comic-book superhero, but this brief spectacle marks the end of daylight with a burst of color.
R and T Coronae Borealis: Two Stellar Opposites
One is usually bright but fades unexpectedly; one is almost always faint but brightens unexpectedly. Check them out with binoculars.
A Solar Observing Refresher Course
With modest equipment and attention to safety, you can enjoy observational astronomy throughout the day.
Observing the Sun Safely: Sunspots, Faculae, and Flares
The surface of the Sun is a dynamic, living place that can change unpredictably from day to day.
Observing the Full Moon
The full Moon is very bright, but there are still many fascinating features to observe during this or any phase when you look far from the terminator.
Seeking Summer's Dark Nebulae
Amateur skygazers can spend hours roaming ghostly clouds of interstellar dust. You just need to know where to look.
Nebulae of the Deep South
On a long-awaited tour of the southern Milky Way, Alan Whitman discovers many splendid sights in far-southern skies.
How and Why to Make Occultation Timings
Lunar and planetary occultations may be appreciated for their intrinsic beauty, but in order to contribute scientifically valid data you need to apply certain techniques.
Observing Secrets of Deep-Sky Objects Revealed
Here's how to hone your galaxy-hunting skills — and what to expect at the eyepiece.
How to Estimate a Comet's Brightness
Comets are notorious for not following predictions, but even judging the magnitude of a bright comet that's right in front of you is not straightforward.
How to Report a Comet Discovery
So you think you’ve found a comet? Here are some steps to follow in verifying your find.
Secrets of High-Power Comet Observing
Although large, bright comets are infrequent visitors to our skies, faint comets appear on a regular basis. Here are some observing hints that will make your comet-watching more enjoyable.
An Aurora Watcher's Guide
Want to see an aurora? In this introduction to auroral phenomena, an expert explains what to look for, when, and how.
Seeking Thin Crescent Moons
Here are some tips for hunting one of nature's most captivating sights.
Eta Aquariids: Halley's Comet Crumbs
Flecks of dust shed long ago by Edmond Halley’s famous namesake arrive like clockwork each year, creating a minor meteor shower in early May.
RS Ophiuchi Finally Blows its Stack
This famous recurrent nova has just erupted for the first time in 21 years, reaching magnitude 4.8 on February 13th.
