SUNSET: 
Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2017
It won't be a great year for lunar eclipses, with a deep penumbral event on February 11th and a partial on August 7th. But an annular solar eclipse is observable from the Southern Hemisphere on February 26th, and a total solar eclipse crosses the continental U.S. on August 21st.
Bright Prospects for Comets in 2017
Comet lovers have much to look forward to in the new year with six potential bright binocular comets and at least two others for modest backyard telescopes.
Ultimate Guide to Meteor Showers in 2017
Everyone enjoys the brief and sometimes dazzling streaks of light from meteors, sometimes called "shooting stars." Sky & Telescope predicts that the two best meteor showers in 2017 will be the Quadrantids in early January and the Geminids in mid-December.
Stargazer's Corner: Adventures Under the Night Sky
Fifty Years of the Astronomical League Observing Programs
The Astronomical League, one of amateur astronomy's best institutional resources, has awarded more than 10,000 observing certificates since 1967.
Stargazer's Corner: Adventures Under the Night Sky
"Star Deck": It's All in the Cards
Here's a great free download that uses a deck of playing cards to introduce you to the night's sky's constellations in a fun, entertaining way.
Tour January's Sky: Spot Two Star Clusters
Download our monthly astronomy podcast to spot Venus and Mars in the west — and two star clusters high up — after sunset.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 30 – January 7
Can you spot the fingernail-thin crescent Moon in twilight Friday night? It's less than two days old as seen after sunset from North America.
Catch the Quadrantid Meteors (If You Can)
The Quadrantids, one of the year's best meteor showers, peaks on the morning of January 3rd, is. But be ready for it — most of the action takes place over just a few hours.
Mars Meets Neptune on New Year's Eve
Doing anything on New Year's Eve? Before you start toasting, don't miss an exceptionally close conjunction of Mars and Neptune.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 23 – 31
After dark you'll find the Pleiades high in the east, with Aldebaran and the Hyades below them. Far below these, Orion is beginning to clear the horizon.
What to See with Your New Telescope During 2016 Holidays
Maybe this gift-giving season you got a shiny new telescope to call your own. Congratulations — you could be on your way to discovering many amazing far things in the night sky. Although most of them are so far and faint that just finding and detecting them is the challenge!…
Swing Low, Sweet Sun: It's Solstice Time
Daylight ebbs to a minimum on Wednesday's winter solstice, but not for long. The very next day, the Sun turns back north and the cycle of light begins again.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 16 – 24
Have you ever watched a Sirius-rise? Watch for Sirius to come up about two fists at arm's length below Orion's Belt, around 8 p.m. local time.
Can You Spot December's Ursid Meteors?
Try your hand at observing the handful of "shooting stars" delivered by this little-known annual meteor shower.
Colored Double Stars, Real and Imagined
Colorful lights twinkle everywhere during the holiday season, including up above in some remarkably tinted double stars. Find out what makes them so alluring.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 9 – 17
The Moon, just a day before full, occults Aldebaran Monday night for nearly everyone in North America. And watch for the Geminid meteor shower!
Stargazer's Corner: Adventures Under the Night Sky
"Library Telescope" Program Takes Off
From humble beginnings in 2008, a simple idea — equipping libraries with loaner telescopes — has caught on across the United States.
Supermoon and Geminids Duke it Out
In a spectacular case of bad timing, the full Moon coincides with the annual Geminid meteor shower. Don't feel put out. There's still something for everyone, including a consolation prize.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 2 – 10
Friday and Saturday evenings, the thickening crescent Moon poses with bright Venus in the southwest at dusk. Wednesday marks the year's earliest sunset.
Stargazer's Corner: Adventures Under the Night Sky
Staracle: A Free Star-Naming Service
"Name a star" businesses are approaching their holiday peak. But since personal star names won't be formally recognized anyway, you might as well do it for free.
