Stargazer's Corner: Adventures Under the Night Sky
Believing Isn't Seeing: Teaching Astronomy for the Visually Impaired
Teaching the night sky to the blind and low-vision community opens up new ways of experiencing the cosmos.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 26 – April 3
Fading Mars glows above orange Aldebaran high in the west after dark. Orion tilts into his spring posture, with his belt horizontal. Arcturus climbs up in the east.
Bright Nova Erupts in Cassiopeia
A new nova in Cassiopeia, discovered on March 18th, is bright enough to see in a small telescope.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 19 – 27
The waxing Moon shines with Mars and Aldebaran on Friday evening the 19th. From there the Moon marches east day by day – first between the horn stars of Taurus, then across Gemini to sidle up to Castor and Pollux on the 22nd.
Exploring Bright Galaxy Groups in Leo
Leo, the Lion, stands high in the southern sky during the early spring. We visit some of the constellation's brighter galaxy clumps then go asteroid hunting.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 12 – 20
The waxing Moon passes between Mars and Aldebaran in the evening sky. Arcturus, the "Spring Star," climbs up in the east, while wintry Orion tilts down in the southwest.
Meet Alnilam, Orion’s Belt Buckle
Alnilam, the middle star of Orion's distinctive belt, is a distant supergiant that will (eventually) end its life in a supernova.
This Week's Sky At a Glance, March 5 – 13
Sirius shines high on the meridian right after dark, as Orion starts tilting westward. Mars keeps company with the Pleiades. And three planets help you greet the dawn.
March — A Good Time to Visit Vesta
Dip into this easy guide to seeing the brightest asteroid, Vesta, and understanding what makes it unique.
March: Find the Winter Hexagon
Our Sky Tour astronomy podcast provides an engaging guided tour of the planets, stars, and constellations overhead during March.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 26 – March 6
Mars is passing the Pleiades. Sirius and Canis Major take over the early-evening meridian from Orion. And low in the dawn, Jupiter closes in on Mercury.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 19 – 27
Sirius the Dog Star blazes high in the southeast after dinnertime, the brightest star of Canis Major. Spot it lower left of Orion. The stars of Canis Major can be connected to form a convincing dog profile.
Watch the Moon Journey Across the Winter Hexagon
About once a month this winter, we can watch the Moon take a four-day journey across a field of stars termed the "Winter Hexagon."
A Deep-sky Hippity-hop through Lepus, the Hare
Snare a dozen bright double stars and deep-sky objects in the celestial Hare the next clear night. We also provide details on how to watch the potentially hazardous asteroid Apophis occult a star the night of February 21st.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 12 – 20
The Moon, waxing through first quarter, passes Mars and Aldebaran high in the evening sky.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 5 – 13
The sky's biggest asterism — at least the biggest one widely recognized — is the Winter Hexagon. It fills the sky toward the east and south these evenings. Start with brilliant Sirius at its bottom. . .
Planets and Comets Can't Hide from SOHO's Eye
With the help of the Solar Heliospheric Observatory you can not only keep track of the planets in the daytime sky but maybe even discover a comet.
February: The Hare & Unicorn
When you step outside to admire the crisp, starlit night sky on February evenings, bring along our Sky Tour astronomy podcast to learn which stars and constellations are overhead. Here’s a preview of what you'll see.
Meet Castor, Six Stars in One
Castor, a prime ornament of the Gemini constellation and one of the brightest stars in the sky, is actually a system of stars with six unique members.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 29 – February 6
Once the night is fully dark, spot the equilateral Winter Triangle in the southeast. Sirius is its brightest and lowest star. Betelgeuse stands above Sirius by about two fists at arm's length. To the left of their midpoint is Procyon. Compare their colors!
