SUNSET: 
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 10 – 19
After occulting the Pleiades last Thursday, the Moon will occult Mars for the continental U.S. on Monday evening, January 13th. In the southwestern twilight, Saturn and Venus draw together toward conjunction. Jupiter shines high.
Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3) — Catch it if You Can
Grab your binoculars for a chance to see Comet ATLAS as it plunges toward perihelion.
Mars Extravaganza — Occultation and Opposition Rolled into One!
Mars is big and bright again! In a spectacular preview to its upcoming opposition, the full Moon occults the Red Planet on January 13th.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 3 – 12
The waxing Moon passes Venus and Saturn, then next Thursday evening it occults the Pleiades! Sirius rises at nightfall, and Algol dips twice.
Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2025
Although no total solar eclipses occur this year, skywatchers can look forward to two total lunar eclipses — including one that will be visible across North America.
Watch Quadrantid Meteors Fly and the Moon Occult Saturn
The annual Quadrantid meteor shower kicks off the new year under moonless skies. European observers will see the Saturn occultation in person; the rest of us via livestream.
January Podcast: Mars Meets the Moon
Every January millions of us resolve to do something different or better in the coming year. So make a resolution to do more stargazing this coming year! And there’s no better way to get a good start than by heading outside with our 12-minute monthly romp across the stars and planets that can be seen overhead. Give Sky Tour a try!
The Best Meteor Showers in 2025
You’ll fight a bright Moon to watch August’s beloved Perseid meteor shower in 2025. But it should be an excellent year for December’s strong Geminid shower.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 27 – January 5
Jupiter, high in the east these evenings, highlights the Aldebaran region of Taurus. The crescent Moon pairs with Venus, then Saturn. Mercury is having its best dawn apparition of 2024.
How To Get Started with that New Telescope
How to start successfully with your new telescope — a guide to what you need to know, how to set it up, and things you can start finding with it in tonight’s sky.
New Resource for Exploring All 88 Constellations
If you’d like to roam the entire celestial sphere virtually, check out a new collection of downloadable high-resolution images of all 88 constellations.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 20 – 29
Orion now rises in twilight, seemingly enlarged by the Moon illusion. Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars span the evening sky. And here comes another weird pattern of Jupiter's moons.
Meet the Taurus Constellation: The Ancient Bull
Taurus, the Bull, is a constellation that has been around for centuries, possibly even millennia.
Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3) Kicks off the New Year — What to Expect
The Southern Hemisphere should get a good show of Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3). Mid-northern latitude observers not so much.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 13 – 22
The full Moon will line up with Jupiter and Aldebaran . . . but how well for you? Saturn gets right (angled) with Fomalhaut and Venus. Saturn's two largest moons will form a double star, and three of Jupiter's moons will triangulate.
Don't Let the Bright Moon Ruin Your Geminids
Strategies for making the most of this week's Moon-soaked Geminid meteor shower.
You're Invited to Jupiter's Big, Bright Opposition Bash
Don't let the cold keep you inside — Jupiter beckons with a brand new storm!
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 6 – 15
The Moon this week shines with Saturn at first quarter, then with Jupiter when full. No surprise; the two giant planets are almost exactly 90° apart. Jupiter is at opposition, and Saturn is at quadrature.
More Unusual Jovian Satellite Lineups
In the coming weeks, Jupiter’s four Galilean satellites will arrange themselves in some unusual geometric patterns that will be fascinating to observe.
December Podcast: Jupiter Leads the Way
It’s going to be a fun month for planet-watching, and you can count on the month’s Sky Tour episode to tell you where and when to catch the five “wandering stars” that you can see by eye. Even better, this month fetures what is arguably the best meteor show of the year. Listen now!
