SUNSET: 
Shadow-casting with Venus
Venus has a been powerful presence at dusk for months — bright enough to cast shadows. How would you like to put it to the test? The Moon won't spoil the darkness until at least April 24th — April 25th if you wait till after moonset — making it the perfect time to see your own shadow by the light of another celestial body.
Explore the Night with Bob King
The Pleiades Welcome Venus
You can renew your own cosmic connection on Friday night, April 3rd. That's when the planet Venus will skirt the Pleiades star cluster in a spectacular dusk conjunction visible across much of the planet.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Venus Occults a Star and Mercury Joins Jupiter on the Winter Solstice
Bring in winter with a bang with a beautiful, close conjunction and a rare planet-star occultation.
Stargazer's Corner: Adventures Under the Night Sky
Tracking Venus's Retrograde Motion
Inspired by a "Sun, Moon & Planets" column, the author spent the spring of 2017 tracking Venus's retrograde motion across the sky, exploring the relationship between the orbits of Venus and the Earth pointed out by Copernicus.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Vega Promises, Venus Visits M35, and a Subtle Comet Shines at Morning
A familiar light shines in the east at dusk, Venus makes a pit stop at a departing star cluster, and Comet PanSTARRS (C/2016 M1) coaxes before dawn.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Venus Peeps Back Into View at Dusk
After a long drought, a bright planet emerges in the western sky. Welcome back, Venus!
An Exquisite Venus–Jupiter Conjunction
Venus bids farewell at dawn, but not before a close encounter with returning Jupiter.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Venus and Mars Kiss at Dawn
Be sure to set the alarm so you don't miss the squeaky-tight conjunction of Venus and Mars Thursday morning. They'll stay close through the weekend.
"Clockwork Rover" for Venus Exploration
Engineers have come up with an innovative "clockwork rover" concept designed to survive the hostile environment of Venus.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Watch Venus and Uranus Double Up Beneath a Comet
Following an occultation of Rho Leonis by the Moon, watch Venus and Uranus pair up in a weekend conjunction just 10° from Comet ER61 PanSTARRS.
Astronomy and Stargazing Projects
See an Ultrathin Venus Crescent
With Venus approaching inferior conjunction, don't miss the chance to see one of the thinnest Venus crescents of your life.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Three Crescents and a Sinking Comet
If you're crazy about crescents, you'll find your happy place this week between the Moon and Venus. Meanwhile, we shift our focus from 45P/H-M-P to another famous periodic comet, 2P/Encke.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Why Are There So Many UFOs?
In an age when UFO sightings are rife, we look at other possibilities that may help to explain the strange apparitions many see.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Moon Occults Venus on December 7th
After taking us to Comet Catalina's doorstep, the Moon covers Venus in a spectacular daytime occultation visible from most of North and Central America on Monday, December 7, 2015.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Visit Venus in Its Darkest Hour
Keep your eye on the prize in the western sky. Venus sets exceptionally late this month, presenting skywatchers with several unusual observing opportunities.
Venus and Jupiter: Superclose Conjunction Before Dawn on August 18th
If you rise before dawn on Monday, August 18th, you'll be rewarded with the sight of the closest planet pairing of the year — and not just any planets, but the two brightest ones: Venus and Jupiter.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Close Venus-Jupiter Conjunction on August 18th
Here's your invitation to view a spectacular close conjunction of the sky's two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, before dawn on Monday morning.
