SUNSET: 
Don't Miss Aldebaran's Last Occultation Till 2033
The last and one of the most picturesque occultations of Aldebaran by the Moon happens on Tuesday morning, July 10. Catch it or wait 15 years for the next!
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, July 6 – 14
Friday, July 6 • As twilight fades, watch for Regulus coming into view 3½° to the left of Venus, as shown here. • After dark the central stars of the constellation Lyra, forming a small triangle and parallelogram, dangle to the lower right from bright Vega high in the…
Fireworks, Planets, Comets, a Nova — July's Got it All!
July's a busy month for skywatching. Not only are five bright planets in view, but three comets and a newly-discovered nova are also observable. And it all starts with a bang on Independence Day.
Tour July's Sky: Planet Parade
This month's astronomy podcast tells you how to spot a five bright planets — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn — in the evening sky.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, June 29 – July 7
Friday, June 29 • The waning gibbous Moon rises in the east-southeast in late twilight. An hour later, watch for Mars to clear the horizon about a fist at arm's length to the Moon's lower right (for North America). Saturday, June 30 • By late evening the Moon and…
Astronomy and Stargazing Projects
The Eyes Have it — Deep-Sky Observing Without Equipment
No telescope? No problem. Just use your eyeballs! On a dark summer night at least two dozen deep-sky objects can be seen without optical aid.
See Saturn at Its Highest & Brightest This Week
Saturn arrives at opposition on June 27th, very close to the time of full Moon.
Big Dust Storm Blows up on Mars (Updated)
Will Mars soon be hidden under a veil of dust? Let's hope not. We explore the current storm and the planet's upcoming close opposition.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 22 – 30
Friday, June 22 • The waxing gibbous Moon this evening shines with bright Jupiter to its lower left and fainter Spica to its lower right. Saturday, June 23 • The bright "star" with the Moon tonight is Jupiter. Although they look rather close together, Jupiter is currently 1,800 times…
Quest for the Green Flash
If you like sunrises and sunsets, look for the green flash, a phenomenon that happens more often that you think.
Observe Changes on Mars
The nearby Red Planet displays remarkable changes every apparition. Whenever Mars approaches opposition, keep an eye out for some of these differences.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 15 – 23
Venus shines brightly in the west-northwest during twilight and just after. Jupiter shines high in the south.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 8 – 16
Vega is the brightest star very high in the east after dark. Just lower left of it is 4th-magnitude Epsilon Lyrae, the Double-Double. Epsilon forms one corner of a roughly equilateral triangle with Vega and Zeta Lyrae.
M13 with a Side of Galaxies, Please
The Great Hercules Cluster is on everyone's observing list this summer. But there's lots more to see within a stone's throw of this grand object — like 20 galaxies!
Tour June's Sky: Venus, Jupiter & Saturn
As you'll learn in this month's astronomy podcast, Jupiter and Saturn will compete with brilliant Venus for your attention in the late-evening sky.
Meet Betelgeuse, the Red Giant of Orion
Betelgeuse, the brilliant red star at the right shoulder of Orion, is a supergiant whose girth extends out to the orbit of Jupiter.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 1 – 9
The Big Dipper hangs diagonally high in the northwest after dark this week, while Cassiopeia lies low in the north.
Vesta Gets Close and Bright
Vesta, the brightest asteroid, puts on one of its best shows ever in June, when it shines enough to see without optical aid.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 25 – June 2
Friday, May 25 • As the waxing gibbous Moon crosses the sky tonight, Spica hangs below it, as shown in early twilight here. • The Arch of Spring spans the western sky in late twilight, arching over Venus. Pollux and Castor form the Arch's top; they're lined up over…
Spice Up Your Space Station Watching
The annual International Space Station marathon is underway with multiple passes visible each night. Here are some fun and unique ways to see and share it.
