SUNSET: 
Sky at a Glance | December 11th, 2009
The Big Dipper is at its lowest in the north in early evening. Mercury is looking good in twilight. Neptune is nearing conjunction with Jupiter. And you may still catch a few stray meteors from the Geminid shower.
Sky at a Glance | December 4th, 2009
Watch for Mercury to emerge low in the sunset this week, and watch for Sirius-rise after dinnertime on the other side of the sky. And get ready for the Geminid meteors, soon to arrive.
Sky at a Glance | November 27th, 2009
The waning gibbous Moon shines near Castor and Pollux in Gemini on Thursday and Friday evenings. Meanwhile Jupiter, edging farther from Earth every week, still shines high in the south in twilight. The Pleiades sparkle in the east after dark, Orion is well up by 9 p.m., Mars rises by 10, and Saturn rises around 2 a.m.
Sky at a Glance | November 20th, 2009
Jupiter, highest in the south at dusk now, continues its busy telescopic activity. Venus is disappearing low in the dawn, but thin-ringed Saturn is rising ever higher before the dawn into good telescopic view.
Sky at a Glance | November 6th, 2009
Orion is making its evening appearance. Jupiter, now highest in the south at dusk, is full of busy activity. And at dawn, Spica (and Saturn high above it) are moving higher while Venus sinks lower.
Sky at a Glance | October 30th, 2009
More mutual events among Jupiter's moons, Mars crossing the Beehive, and the Moon grazing the Pleiades highlight the night sky this week.
Sky at a Glance | October 23rd, 2009
With Halloween approaching, it's the season for the annual Ghost of Summer Suns. This week also sees a busy schedule of mutual events among Jupiter's moons. And in the early-morning hours, fiery Mars is approaching the Beehive.
Sky at a Glance | October 16th, 2009
The waxing crescent Moon emerges from the sunset this week. But Jupiter, king of the gods and king of the planets, is also the king target for backyard telescope users these evenings, with lots going on.
Sky at a Glance | October 9th, 2009
Jupiter is a hub of backyard-telescope activity after dark. And Venus, Mercury, and Saturn dance at dawn.
Sky at a Glance | October 2nd, 2009
Venus, Mercury, and Saturn dance at dawn this week. And get ready for the LCROSS impact on the Moon — whether you'll watch with a telescope, on TV, or on the web.
Sky at a Glance | September 25th, 2009
The Moon waxes across the evening sky this week. Venus shines in the east at dawn, with challenging Mercury and Saturn coming into view below it.
Sky at a Glance | September 18th, 2009
Bright Venus and much fainter Regulus pair up closely on the morning of Sunday the 20th. Bring binoculars. And Jupiter dominates the evening sky, with its moons and bands awaiting your telescope.
Sky at a Glance | September 11th, 2009
The waning Moon passes Venus in the dawn this week, as Venus nears Regulus. Jupiter dominates the evening sky, awaiting your telescope.
Sky at a Glance | September 4th, 2009
Jupiter now dominates the evening sky, awaiting your telescope. In the dawn sky, the Moon meets tiny Mars.
Sky at a Glance | August 28th, 2009
Jupiter shows off during the evening this week, all four of its big moons briefly hide, and two planets at dawn have separate encounters with star clusters.
Sky at a Glance | August 21st, 2009
Jupiter, just past opposition, shows its Red Spot, a double shadow transit, and, briefly, just one moon. Mars pairs up with a star cluster. And Vega crosses the zenith, signaling that Milky-Way-rich Sagittarius stands highest due south.
Sky at a Glance | August 14th, 2009
Saturn and Mercury pass each other very low in the sunset. Jupiter is at opposition. And the Moon meets up with Venus at dawn.
Sky at a Glance | July 31st, 2009
Mercury meets Regulus. Saturn loses its rings. Vega crosses the zenith. And Jupiter is coming into good view earlier every night.
Sky at a Glance | July 24th, 2009
Saturn's rings are disappearing most interestingly, just as Saturn itself slides down into the sunset. Jupiter with its new impact scar is up in fine telescopic view by midnight.
Sky at a Glance | July 17th, 2009
One day after the anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the Moon, the Moon eclipses the Sun for parts of the Far East.
