SUNSET: 
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 23 – 31
Venus and Mercury glimmer low in the southwest in twilight. The newborn crescent Moon starts the week with them, then visits Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars as it waxes toward full.
All Eight Planets Line Up ... Again!
Echoing summer's great arc of planets at dawn, winter presents the full octet again, this time splayed across the evening sky.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 16 – 24
The Pleiades dipper, the House in the Hyades, Mars high but fading, M31 at the zenith, and a celestial string of holiday lights.
Catch the Geminid Meteor Shower; Plus, Watch RW Cephei Fade
The luminous Geminid meteor shower returns. We also meet a binocular-bright star that may be experiencing Betelgeuse-like convulsions.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 9 – 16
Mars, just past opposition, remains bright as it aligns between Aldebaran and Capella. Jupiter shines highest after dusk. And watch for the Geminid meteors.
Mars Mesmerizes at Opposition
It may not be the closest opposition, but this time around Mars arcs high across the sky where good seeing promises sharp views. That's not all. On December 7th, one night before opposition, the full Moon occults the Red Planet!
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 2 – 10
Mars is at opposition this week. And on opposition night December 7-8, Mars is occulted by the perfectly full Moon. Orion enters stage east earlier and earlier, the Summer Triangle sinks west, and Jupiter reigns on high.
December: Mars in the Spotlight
December's solstice means that for many skywatchers the night will be up to 14 hours long — providing lots of time to enjoy the starry sky. This month’s celestial highlights are the close approach of the Moon and Mars (and, for many, a coverup) on December 7th and the Gemind meteor shower on the December 13th. Our fun and factual Sky Tour podcast provides all the details.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 25 – December 3
Mars is closest to Earth this week, closer and brighter than we'll see it again until 2033. By late evening it's high overhead in excellent telescopic view.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 18 – 26
Orion works its way up from behind the horizon after dinnertime and stands high by late evening. Big bright Jupiter and Mars dominate the sky. Jupiter is under the Great Square; Mars is in the horns of Taurus.
Sneak Peek at Two Promising Comets
Ready to chase comets? We look at two fuzzy solar system travelers that will keep you on your toes all fall and winter long.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 11 – 19
The Moon shines in the east with ever-brightening Mars, then it wanes down into the early morning hours to leave the evenings dark for deep-sky observing. Jupiter glares on high. Vega and its binary accompaniments await you in the west.
Election Eclipse — Last Total Lunar Eclipse till 2025
Set the alarm and bring plenty of coffee. We've got a total lunar eclipse coming that you don't want to miss.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 4 – 12
The Moon gets totally eclipsed this week as it walks from Jupiter to Mars. Saturn in the evening sky is at quadrature, which means an effect is under way for telescope users....
November: An Eclipse, Meteors & Planets
For most of us, November's switch to standard time means that evening comes early enough to do some casual stargazing before dinnertime. So download or stream our Sky Tour astronomy podcast to find out about this month's lunar eclipse, possible meteor surprises, and much more.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 28 – November 5
The Summer Triangle Effect, a double shadow on Jupiter, the waxing Moon photobombs the solar system's two giants, an Algol dip — plan your skywatching week.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 21 – 29
Jupiter remains near its maximum possible size, and Mars continues to grow. Below Jupiter shines the Frog Star. And this week, Arcturus becomes the Ghost of Summer Suns.
All About the Dust — Orionids and Zodiacal Light
It doesn't take much to create a spectacle when it comes to astronomical observation. Just a pinch or two of dust.
The Hows & Whys of Solar Eclipses
Take a few minutes to become an eclipse expert for family and friends.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 14 – 22
These moonless evenings open the sky for good constellation spotting and deep-sky probing. Pegasus flies high. Draco eyes Vega. And it's time for the Orionid meteors.
