SUNSET: 
Explore the Night with Bob King
Swing Low, Sweet Sun: It's Solstice Time
Daylight ebbs to a minimum on Wednesday's winter solstice, but not for long. The very next day, the Sun turns back north and the cycle of light begins again.
Orbital Path Podcasts with Michelle Thaller
Orbital Path 10: Done in the Sun
Michelle Thaller speaks with NASA's Alex Young about the space agency's impressive fleet of Sun-monitoring spacecraft — including the upcoming Solar Probe Plus.
Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson
The Return of Stereo B?
Feared lost for almost two years, NASA's Stereo B solar observatory is now back in (tentative) contact with mission control.
Seeing Sunspots as Early Astronomers Did
Astronomers have reconstructed 18-century telescopes to observe sunspots and better understand solar cycles.
Observer's Guide to the H-alpha Sun
Want to see a star rock in real time? Observe the Sun in the crimson light of hydrogen alpha and watch it come alive.
Blank Sun? Faculae to the Rescue!
Fascinating faculae provide a way for anyone with a small telescope to track the ups and downs of the solar cycle — even when there are no sunspots.
The Weakest Solar Cycle in 100 Years
Scientists are struggling to explain the Sun’s bizarre recent behavior. Is it a fluke, or a sign of a deeper trend?
How to Make a Sundial the Simple Way
Sundials are amazingly simple yet effective devices. They range from sticks planted in the ground to precision-machined marvels costing thousands of dollars. The design shown here can be constructed in minutes from materials lying around your house, but it's surprisingly accurate.
What is a Sundog, and How Did "Sundogs" Get Their Name?
Why are "sundogs" called by that name? Bob Johnson / SkyandTelescope.com Photo Gallery Before answering the why question, let me answer the what question that comes before: namely, what is a sundog, or mock Sun, in the first place? A sundog is a concentrated patch of sunlight occasionally seen about…
Observing the Sun Safely: Sunspots, Faculae, and Flares
The surface of the Sun is a dynamic, living place that can change unpredictably from day to day.
