SUNSET: 
Betelgeuse is Dimming . . . Why?
The bright star Betelgeuse has faded to a historic low as astronomers try to figure out why.
The Best Meteor Showers in 2020
Sky & Telescope predicts that the three best meteor showers — the Quadrantids (peaking on January 4th!), Perseids and Geminids — will all have strong showings this year.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, December 27 – January 4
Want to become a better amateur astronomer? Learn your way around the constellations. They're the key to locating everything fainter and deeper to hunt with binoculars or a telescope.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, December 20 – 28
Have you ever watched Sirius rise? Watch for Sirius about two fists below Orion's vertical Belt. When a star is very low, it tends to twinkle slowly and often in vivid colors.
2020 Total Solar Eclipse: Update from Patagonia
Check out the viewing site and accommodations in Argentina's lush Lake District for Sky & Telescope's expedition to witness the 2020 total solar eclipse on December 14, 2020.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, December 13 – 21
Venus shines in the southwest in evening twilight, a little higher each week now. It's on its way up to a grand, high "Evening Star" apparition this winter.
Deep-sky Dive Into the Great Square of Pegasus
We return to Pegasus, but this time with a telescope to find a grab-bag of overlooked deep-sky treasures.
Geminids and the Moon Duke it Out
Don't let light from the gibbous Moon discourage you from enjoying the annual Geminid meteor show on the peak night, December 13-14.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, December 6 – 14
This week, Jupiter is disappearing deep into the sunset, while Venus, having ditched Jupiter, is on its way to flirt with Saturn.
December 2019: Giant-Planet Finale
Download this month's Sky Tour podcast for a guided tour of the evening sky's adieu to Jupiter and Saturn and tips for spotting some early-winter constellations.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, Nov. 29 – Dec. 7
In the southwest at dusk, Jupiter is going bye-bye and Venus, having ditched Jupiter, is closing in on Saturn.
Astronomy and Stargazing Projects
Counting Stars in the Great Square
Test the limits of your vision — and the darkness of your sky — by taking a plunge into the Great Square of Pegasus.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, November 22 – 30
Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets, shine in the southwest during bright twilight. Venus is the brighter one.
Meet Altair, the Eagle’s Eye
Altair, centerpiece of Aqulia, the Eagle, is the twelfth-brightest star in the night sky and one of the closest stars to Earth.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, November 15 – 23
The waning gibbous Moon is in Gemini Nov. 16, with Pollux to its left and Castor above Pollux.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, November 8 – 16
In early evening, look high above the Moon for the Great Square of Pegasus through the moonlight. It's standing on one corner.
Top Ten Ephemeral Sky Sights
The stars may seem eternal, but some of the most amazing sky sights are fleeting phenomena.
Don't Miss Monday's Rare Transit of Mercury
On Monday, November 11th, Mercury will pass directly in front of the Sun and look a tiny black dot silhouetted against the brilliant solar disk. The event, called a transit, occurs approximately 13 times a century.
November 2019: Changing Scenery
Download this month's Sky Tour for a guided tour of the evening sky's changing planetary scene and some constellations that might be new to you.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, November 1 – 9
Friday, Nov. 1 • The waxing crescent Moon shines in the south-southwest at dusk, with Saturn glowing 4° or 5° to its upper left (for North America) as shown here. Look much farther lower right, by nearly 20°, for Jupiter. Saturday, Nov. 2 • Saturn shines right of the Moon…
