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Venus, Mercury and Regulus very low in the west in bright twilight, July 26, 2024

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 26 – August 4

Very low in the west in bright twilight, have you picked up Venus yet? Binoculars help. Much tougher will be Mercury and Regulus. Their arrangement changes all week.

Rasalhague (Alpha Ophiuchi) turns the Summer Triangle into a cut diamond.

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 19 – 28

Scorpius poses at center stage in the south. The Sagittarius Teapot follows behind it. And Rasalhague, the head star of Ophiuchus. turns the Summer Triangle into a big, upright diamond.

eVscope setup

Observing

Visual Observing vs. Smart Telescopes — Finding Harmony

The latest smartscope astrophotography craze opens the door to some incredible opportunities for both beginners and seasoned observers.

Open cluster NGC 6134

Southern Stargazing with Jonathan Nally

Explore Norma: The right (angle) constellation for July

Little-known Norma, a small constellation in the southern sky, contains several stellar and deep-sky delights.

Regulus and Mercury in twilight, July 12, 2024

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 12 – 21

Mercury lurks in the sunset. The July Moon rides low across the sky this week as it waxes from first quarter to full. It occults springlike Spica, then passes summery Antares to hang with the Teapot.

Moon passing Regulus, July 7-9, 2024

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 4 – 14

The waxing Moon passes Regulus on its way to occulting Spica July 13th. The Kite of Boötes tilts toward the Dipper. And the largest asteroid is at opposition.

Spica occultation map

Celestial Objects to Observe

Catch an Exciting Spica Occultation on July 13th

Don't miss Spica's dramatic disappearance at the Moon's dark limb. We also check in on the status of current bright comets.

Spica occulted by Moon

Sky Tour Astronomy Podcast

July Podcast: Spotlight on Spica

Grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour. This month offers a chance to watch a dramatic coverup of the bright star Spica by the first-quarter Moon. You can also glimpse Mercury just after sunset — and Saturn very late in the evening.

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 28 – July 7

It takes hardly more than a glance up these evenings to check for the anticipated eruption of T Coronae Borealis, the Blaze Star.

T CrB map

Celestial Objects to Observe

Is the "Blaze Star" About to Blow? You May Be the First to Know

T Coronae Borealis is a nova star that's due to suddenly — and briefly — brighten. Here's how to see this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Omega Centauri as galactic nucleus

Southern Stargazing with Jonathan Nally

Centaurus Constellation: Glimpse the Greatest Globular

The Centaurus constellation holds some of the best southern targets, including the Omega Centauri globular cluster and the Centaurus A galaxy.

Jupiter barely emerging in bright dawn, June 22, 2024

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 21 – 30

The two brightest stars of summer balance across the zenith. Arcturus and Vega represent the two commonest spectral types, and colors, of all the naked-eye stars in the sky.

Planet parade

Observing

See the Real Planet Parade

Maximize your planetary pleasure and get re-acquainted with Earth's siblings during the June 29th dawn planet parade.

Moon crossing Scorpius, June 18-20, 2024.

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 14 – 23

On solstice week the brightening Moon moves across the evening sky from Spica to Scorpius. On Monday, it helps you find a piece of Centaurus from as far north as southernmost Canada!

M7 locator map

Celestial Objects to Observe

Meet Shaula: The Scorpion’s Triple-Pronged Stinger

Meet Shaula, the bright star on the Scorpion's tail. It's a challenge for northern observers, but easy to find if it clears the horizon!

Crescent Moon under Castor and Pollux, June 7-8, 2024

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 7 – 16

The waxing Moon reenters the sky as an evening crescent. Pollux and Castor keep it company. The Big Dipper hangs straight down. And can you still catch wintry Capella? The colder your latitude the better your chance.

Comet 13P/Olbers

Solar System

Comet 13P/Olbers Juices Up June Skies

June brings heat and bugs but also a moderately bright, early-evening comet that returns every 69 years.

Ophiuchus the Serprent Holder

Sky Tour Astronomy Podcast

June Podcast: Spotting the Serpent Charmer

Listen to this tour of the stars and planets that you’ll see overhead during June. Learn how to spot three planets before dawn, and to track down a snake-handler in the early summer sky. Grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour.

Big Dipper with the stars labeled with the years the light we see in 2024 left them. (Image: IAU/ Arya Anthony)

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 31 – June 9

Arcturus and Vega highlight the evening, The Big Dipper quickly pivots. And sorry, tell your friends and family who ask that no "dazzling Parade of Planets" is blazing across the sky. Who makes this stuff up??

Moon and Saturn, May 31, 2024

This Week's Sky At a Glance

This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 24 – June 2

The Big Dipper twists around fast near the zenith, Arcturus almost claims the zenith, the Coma Star Cluster not far away can't quite hide, and T Cor Bor simmers ominously dim.