SUNSET: 
The RAC Summer Star Party
It's high summer and time to party — star party, that is. The RAC Summer Star Party offered fun, friends, and some good, clear nights this year. As is typical for New England, the spring season was wet and cloudy with few opportunities for extended observing sessions. But at least…
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, August 16 – 24
As nights turn chilly, the Great Square of Pegasus lifts up in the east, balancing on one corner. From its left corner extends the main stars of the Andromeda constellation.
Good Morning, Orion!
An August jaunt at dawn reacquaints us with the constellation Orion, the harbinger of winter.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, August 9 – 17
As nights turn chilly, the Great Square of Pegasus lifts up in the east, balancing on one corner. From its left corner extends the main stars of the constellation Andromeda.
Perseid Prospects, Mornings with Mercury and the Lunar X
With the Perseid shower, a great morning apparition of Mercury, and a chance to see craters scratch out an X on the moon, skywatchers have a busy week ahead!
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, August 2 – 10
The Big Dipper hangs diagonally in the northwest after dark. From its midpoint, look to the right to find Polaris (not very bright) glimmering due north as always.
August 2019: Stars of Summer
Download August's Sky Tour astronomy podcast for tips on observing the Perseid meteor shower and the key planets, stars, and constellations in the evening skies of summer.
Astronomy and Stargazing Projects
Wallow a While in the Lagoon Nebula
We take a dip in one of summer's finest nebulae and explore everything from spooky Bok globules to the tornadic Hourglass Nebula. Don't forget your snorkel, er, telescope! Sometimes a single deep-sky object becomes your whole universe. So it was for me when I took several deep wades in the…
August Will Have Two New Moons! What’s the Big Deal?
First there were "blue Moons;" now there are "black Moons." What do these terms mean . . . and do they matter?
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, July 26 – August 3
Jupiter and Saturn stand out in the southern sky these evenings.
Lonely Pluto Is More than a Speck
With Saturn pointing the way, it's easy to venture into the Kuiper Belt this summer and pay a visit to Pluto.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, July 19 – 27
The white "star" glaring in the south during and after dusk is Jupiter. Fainter, orange Antares fainter twinkles to its lower right. Saturn glows far to Jupiter's left.
Celebrate Apollo 11 with a Visit to Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins Craters
Find the craters named for the three astronauts who flew the first manned mission to land on the Moon.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, July 12 – 20
Jupiter is that white point glaring in the south during and after dusk. Orange Antares, fainter, twinkles to its lower right.
Meet Canopus, the Second Brightest Star
The second-brightest star after Sirius, Canopus is visible in southern skies, shining out of the constellation Carina.
A Spoonful of Saturn to Sweeten the Night
Move over Jupiter, it's time for Saturn to shine! At opposition this week, the ringed planet is at its brightest and closest for the year.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, July 5 – 13
Jupiter shines bright in the southeast after dark. Saturn is up late. The Big Dipper, high in the northwest, is starting to turn around to "scoop up water."
Where Have All the Comets Gone?
It seems like forever since a bright comet has come around. We look at current and future prospects.
July 2019: Stalking the Scorpion
Download July's Sky Tour astronomy podcast for a guided exploration of the planets, stars, and constellations in the evening skies of summer.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, June 28 – July 6
The Milky Way now forms a magnificent arch across the eastern sky as evening grows late, if you have a dark enough sky.
