SUNSET: 
S&T's Audio Sky Tour for March 2013
Spring arrives on March 20th, astronomically speaking, and for a few days beforehand you have a chance to see Comet Pan-STARRS low in the west soon after sunset. Meanwhile, Jupiter is still riding high in the evening, along with Orion, the Hunter, and Sirius, the "Dog Star."
Tour February's Sky! | February 1st, 2013
Evening skies feature two bright planets: Mercury, which lurks low in the west after sunset around the 16th, and Jupiter, which reigns high in the southern sky all month long.
Sky at a Glance | February 1st, 2013
Mercury and Mars have a challenging close conjunction low in the sunset. The gigantic Winter Hexagon rides high. And the waning Moon passes Saturn in the dawn.
Sky at a Glance | January 25th, 2013
The Moon descends past Leo as it wanes from full. And when Sirius culminates in the south, can you see Canopus below it?
Sky at a Glance | January 18th, 2013
The brightening Moon passes close by Jupiter as it moves eastward toward fullness. And when Sirius culminates in late evening now, can you see Canopus below it?
A Saturn Almanac
Spectacular Saturn is a perennial favorite of telescope users everywhere. Click here to find printable data on the positions of Saturn's rings and planets.
Sky at a Glance | January 11th, 2013
The waxing crescent Moon walks up the western side of the sky, the Little Dipper hangs straight down on the northern side of the sky, and Capella and Rigel culminate together.
Sky at a Glance | January 4th, 2013
Vega descends, the Northern Cross turns upright, and the waning crescent Moon marks the way to planets before dawn.
Meteor Showers 2013
Sky & Telescope predicts that 2013's best meteor shower should be the Perseids in mid-August, but this will also be a good year for the lesser-known Eta Aquariids in early May.
Tour January's Sky! | January 1st, 2013
Jupiter is the unrivaled king of the evening sky this month. Use it as a benchmark to find a pair of star clusters and other interesting celestial sights.
S&T's Audio Sky Tour for February 2013
Evening skies feature two bright planets: Mercury, which lurks low in the west after sunset around the 16th, and Jupiter, which reigns high in the southern sky all month long.
Sky at a Glance | December 21st, 2012
The bright Moon pairs up in an unusually close conjunction with Jupiter on Christmas night, with Aldebaran, the Hyades, and Pleiades looking on.
Sky at a Glance | December 14th, 2012
Jupiter blazes, Ceres is at opposition with Vesta nearby, and Sirius is in its color-flashing mode after dinnertime.
See Ceres at Its Best for 2012
Ceres, the biggest asteroid and brightest dwarf planet,shines at magnitude 6.9 or brighter from December 12-25.
Sky at a Glance | December 7th, 2012
Lots happening this week! The Geminid meteor shower, a flyby of Toutatis, Vesta at opposition with Ceres nearby, and more.
The Basics of Meteor Observing
Here are a few hints to enhance your meteor-watching experience.
Advanced Meteor Observing
Meteor studies have relied heavily on amateur observers for more than a century. They still do. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to plan a meteor watch.
Tour December's Sky! | November 30th, 2012
Mars lurks low in the west after sunset, just as Jupiter rises dramatically in the east. Meanwhile, a mythic tale unfolds among the stars and constellations overhead.
Sky at a Glance | November 30th, 2012
The Moon is waning out of the evening sky. Jupiter is passing 5° north of Aldebaran. Low in the dawn, Mercury has emerged to align with Venus and Saturn in a diagonal row.
The Lunar 100
As the moon wanes in the gibbous phase in the nights to come, see if you can find and observe some of 100 of Charles Wood's classic lunar hit list, including craters, basins, mountains, rilles, and domes.
