The mottled surface of Polaris

Astronomy & Observing News

See the Surface of Polaris, the North Star

New data from an array of telescopes has enabled astronomers to visualize the surface of the North Star, Polaris.

Labeled Big Dipper

Observing

The Big Dipper: Hop to Spring's Sky Sights

The Big Dipper is one of the most familiar sights in the Northern Hemisphere’s night skies. You can use its stars to locate other fun targets.

The center of the stellar merry-go-round

Astronomy & Observing News

Meet Polaris, the North Star

Meet Polaris, the North Star. It's not the brightest star in the sky, but it's within a degree of the north celestial pole.

Observing

What Southern Stargazers Long to See in Northern Skies

Southern Hemisphere objects like Omega Centauri and the Magellanic Clouds make Northern Hemisphere observers envious. Today, we turn the tables and find out what those living in negative latitudes would love to see up north.