SUNSET: 
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…
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, October 25 – November 2
The W of Cassiopeia now stands vertically on end in the evening, high in the northeast. Look to its right for Andromeda and the Great Square of Pegasus.
"Potentially Hazardous" Asteroid Is Headed For Your Telescope
A potentially hazardous asteroid makes a flyby of Earth this Friday, offering amateurs with modest telescopes a chance to ride along.
Crack Your Crescent Moon Record
Calling all crescent lovers! Here's a chance to set a new personal record by seeing one of the oldest moons ever.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, October 18 – 26
Friday, Oct. 18 • Vega is the brightest star high in the west after dark. To its lower right by 14° (nearly a fist and a half at arm's length), look for Eltanin, the nose of Draco the Dragon. The rest of Draco's fainter, lozenge-shaped head is a little farther…
Autumn Comets, Mira's Eye & The Orionid Meteor Shower
Four comets, a famous variable star, and sprinkles of dust from Halley's Comet are highlights of the October sky.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, October 11 – 19
Friday, Oct. 11 • Soon after dark, you'll find zero-magnitude Arcturus low in the west-northwest at the same height as zero-magnitude Capella shining in the northeast. When this happens, turn to the south-southeast, and there will be 1st-magnitude Fomalhaut at the same height — if you're at latitude 43°…
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, October 4 – 12
Friday, Oct. 4 • The waxing Moon this evening shines between Saturn, to its left or upper left, and Jupiter farther to the Moon's lower right (off the center-right of the chart here). Saturday, Oct. 5 • It's both International Astronomy Day and International Observe the Moon Night! The Moon…
