SUNSET: 
Astronomy and Stargazing Projects
Useful Projects for a Lunar Eclipse
Here’s all you need to know to help us measure the size of Earth’s shadow during the second lunar eclipse of 2022.
What is a Supermoon? Facts vs. Fiction
The perpetuation of the supermoon myth is mostly motivated by desire for publicity. But much of what we call the supermoon is just our eyes playing tricks on us.
Wake Up to a Total Lunar Eclipse on October 8, 2014
Start your day with an eclipse of the full Moon! On the morning of October 8, 2014, a total lunar eclipse will be visible across most of North America.
April's Total Eclipse of the Moon
North Americans haven't seen a total eclipse of the Moon since 2011. But this long dry spell breaks late on the night of April 14–15 as the Moon makes a leisurely pass through Earth's deepest shadow.
Brightest Mars in Six Years
Mars is making its nearest and brightest appearance in the night sky since the end of 2007.
Global "Fail" for the Big Regulus Cover-up
There was widespread hope that thousands of skywatchers would see the bright star Regulus briefly occulted by an asteroid early on March 20th. In the end, likely <u>no one</u> saw it. Here's why.
Moon and Venus Dance at Dawn
If your dawn sky is clear on Wednesday, February 26th, don't miss the lovely pairing of brilliant Venus with a very thin crescent Moon.
Supernova in M82 Passes Its Peak
Supernova 2014J, in the galaxy M82 in Ursa Major, peaked at magnitude 10.5 in early February and is now down to 11.2. Spot it with your telescope above the Big Dipper.
Mercury's Best Show of 2014
Mercury puts on its best show of the year for mid-northern latitudes around the end of January.
Auroras in Our Future?
UPDATE: No significant auroras were reported Thursday morning following the Sun's whopper coronal mass ejection on January 7th. But there's still some chance of a mid-latitude light show as the hours go by.
Huge Sunspot Group Now Observable
The Sun is off to a fast start this new year. An enormous sunspot group, big enough to be seen (carefully) by eye, has rotated into view.
Try Spotting Your Record-Thin Moon
Soon after sunset on New Year's Day, you may have a chance to set your lifetime youngest-Moon record.
Quadrantid Meteors Ring in 2014
Start the new year right by viewing an excellent but short-lived meteor shower, called the Quadrantids, which peaks on Friday, January 3rd.
An Outburst of Andromedid Meteors
Astronomers report that a nearly forgotten meteor shower — famous for its prodigious "storm" in 1872 but long since inactive — has displayed surprising activity.
Geminid Meteors to Pierce the Moonlight
Bits of rock from a fried asteroid flash across the night sky in the mid-December sky — but bright moonlight will diminish the performance.
Lovely Comet Lovejoy
Comet ISON has come and gone, but lovely Comet Lovejoy (C/2013 R1) is still going strong. It is now at or near peak brightness, and well placed in the Northern Hemisphere's predawn sky.
Naked-Eye Nova in Centaurus
A new star near Alpha and Beta Centauri peaked at about magnitude 3.6 on December 5th, faded, re-peaked ten days later, and has been bumping around oddly since.
So It Ends for Comet ISON
After more than a year of anticipation, there is no dazzle, only a dud.
Comet ISON Becomes a Nail-Biter
Is the comet dying, just three days before its closest pass by the Sun? There are signs that its nucleus has stopped producing anything.
Can You Spot Comet ISON at Perihelion?
It won't be easy by a long shot, but it just might be possible to spot the comet in broad daylight as it passes nearest the Sun.
