SUNSET: 
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.
History of the Quadrantid Meteors
Read about the history and source of the Quadrantid meteor stream, which provides one of the most intense annual meteor displays. Its brief, sharp maximum lasts only a few hours in early January.
A Rare Glimpse of Mare Orientale
On five consecutive mornings beginning January 29th, early morning risers have an opportunity to glimpse the Moon’s most spectacular "hidden" landform.
Lunar Occultation Highlights for 2005
No matter where you live in the world, you can see the Moon hide stars and planets in its path. Here's when and where you can watch dozens of these events this year.
The Moon Occults Fiery Antares
Set your alarm clock to watch the last-quarter Moon cross a first-magnitude star on the morning of March 3rd.
Asteroid Occultations: March–July 2005
Mobile observers with video cameras, capable of filling gaps between those at fixed sites, are especially needed to observe asteroid occultations.
Pallas in the Realm of the Galaxies
Catch Pallas, the year's brightest asteroid, as it traverses the Virgo Galaxy Cluster.
The Discovery of the Perseid Meteors
It took the mindset of a detective to discover the truth behind the meteors of mid-August.
Delta Scorpii Still Showing Off
For the fourth summer in a row, the head of the bright constellation Scorpius looks a little unusual.
When Will RS Ophiuchi Next Blow Its Stack?
This recurrent nova last went off in 1985. It could do so again almost any night. By catching this nova on the rise, you’ll help professional astronomers turn their “big guns” on it.
X Sagittarii: A Variable Star Toward Our Galaxy's Heart
This naked-eye variable should be near peak brightness every Wednes-day night during August, September, and October.
Chi Cygni Rises Toward Maximum
Catch a orange-red variable star in Cygnus, the Swan, as its brightness peaks in early July.
Meteors That Changed the World
When "shooting stars" make the transition from heaven to earth, even small strikes can have a huge impact on human history.
Lunar Occultation Highlights for 2004
No matter where in the world you live, you can see the Moon hide stars and planets in its path. Here's when and where you can see dozens of lunar occultations this year.
A Daytime Occultation of Jupiter
Here's a blue-sky project if ever there was one. The thin waning crescent Moon will occult the second-brightest planet as seen from much of North America on Tuesday, November 9th.
Planetary Occultations for 2004
You've got plenty of chances to see an asteroid or planet pass in front of a star this year — and here's when and where to see them.
The Closest Whiz-by of Toutatis
An asteroid several kilometers wide will brighten to 9th magnitude and be visible in small telescopes when it passes Earth in late September.
Flora and Herculina meet Saturn
While checking out Saturn and Titan in the next few months, don't overlook two nearby minor planets: 8 Flora and 532 Herculina.
Spot Vesta (and Uranus)
Two solar-system bodies just below naked-eye brightness can be found with binoculars in eastern Aquarius on October and November evenings: the minor planet 4 Vesta and Uranus.
The Variable Star T Cephei
The long-period variable star T Cephei peaks this October. The star is relatively easy to locate in binoculars because of its red hue.
