SUNSET: 
Jupiter and Saturn Embrace in Solstice Conjunction
Jupiter and Saturn fashion the Great Conjunction of 2020 when they pair up on December 21st, the winter solstice. That evening they'll be closest in nearly 400 years.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 18 – 26
This is the week of Jupiter and Saturn's super-close conjunction, and the whole world will be watching. Their separation narrows each evening until December 21st, then re-widens.
A South American Total Eclipse
The Moon’s shadow visits Chile and Argentina again. If you can't be there, watch online!
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 11 – 19
Jupiter and Saturn are getting strikingly close together! Look southwest in early evening. And on the other side of the sky, Orion comes into view low in the east after dinnertime, below the Pleiades and Aldebaran.
A Banner Year for the Geminid Meteor Shower
With no Moon to brighten the night, this year's rich Geminid meteor shower should be one of the best ever. Find a spot away from city lights, dress warmly, and don't forget the hot chocolate.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 4 – 12
Jupiter and Saturn continue closing toward their record-breaking conjunction 0.1° apart on December 21st. Mars stands high, and Orion is on the rise.
December 2020: A Busy Month
Step outside after sunset this month to spot Jupiter and Saturn's dramatic pairing, 2020's best meteor shower, and more!
This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 27 – December 5
Bright Jupiter and Saturn are almost as close together now as modest, 3rd-magnitude Alpha and Beta Capricorni above them. Wait for full dark to catch the faint stars.
Meet Capella, the Goat Star
Capella is the sixth-brightest star in the sky — and it's more than one star! The main two stars in the system are near-twins, bright yellow giants.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 20 – 28
Whenever Fomalhaut is "southing" (crossing the meridian due south), the first stars of Orion are just about to rise above the east horizon. And, the Pointers of the Big Dipper stand upright low due north, straight below Polaris.
Leonid Meteor Shower to the Rescue
Modest but reliable, the annual Leonid meteor shower returns this week. Take an hour or two to relax and enjoy the show.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 13 – 21
Jupiter and Saturn draw together in the southwest these evenings. Mars dominates the sky to the east. By about 8 p.m. Orion is clearing the eastern horizon, and Sirius follows two hours behind.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, November 6 – 14
After dark this week, Capella in the northeast. Look for the Pleiades three fists to Capella's right. After dark this week, Capella sparkles in the northeast. Look for the Pleiades about three fists to Capella's right. Early signs of winter constellations!
Tiny Asteroid Flora and Mighty Uranus Team Up
Both Uranus and the asteroid 8 Flora came to opposition on Halloween. Catch them both in the same corner of the sky the next clear night.
November 2020: Cassiopeia Rules
With the return to standard time, November evenings come very early for northern observers — a chance to get in some quick stargazing before dinner!
This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 30 – November 7
Full Moon and Mars for Halloween: The Moon rises in the east about a half hour after sunset on Saturday the 31st, depending on your location. That bright orange dot off to its upper right is Mars.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 23 – 31
The Ghost of Summer Suns: Halloween is approaching, and this means that Arcturus, the star sparkling low in the west-northwest in twilight, is taking on its role as "the Ghost of Summer Suns."
Comets Crawl through the Skies at Dawn and Dusk
Comets have been scarce since NEOWISE departed the scene. Not anymore. Suddenly, there are four fresh faces visible from dusk til dawn.
This Weeks' Sky at a Glance, October 16 – 24
Mars is edging away a bit now from its close approach to Earth, but on the other hand, it rises higher into fine telescopic view earlier in the night.
Meet Arcturus: Guardian of the Bear
Arcturus is one of the brightest stars in the sky — a cool red giant in Bootes, the Herdsman, that's often tied mythologically to Ursa Major, the Bear.
