On the night of December 7-8, Earth finally catches up to Mars in the orbital race. Mars will then be opposite the sun in the sky and so up all night—not to mention gloriously bright. But despite this being its big night, Mars gets upstaged by December’s full moon. On the evening of the 7th, the moon occults—that is, passes... READ MORE >
The nights are getting longer and darker, but brilliant Jupiter provides a beacon until well into the morning hours. The king of planets comes out in the east at nightfall and dominates the sky. West of Jupiter shines Saturn, and above the ringed planet the Summer Triangle of stars still rides high. A waxing moon passes Saturn between the 4th... READ MORE >
September’s mild nights and darkening skies make for some of the year’s best star watching. In the west, brilliant Arcturus is slowly sinking, dragging its kite-shaped constellation, Bootes the herdsman, with it. Just east of Bootes hangs the semicircular Corona Borealis, or northern crown; its sole bright star is called Gemma or Alphecca. Moving east again, an hourglass of stars... READ MORE >
June begins with Jupiter sailing away from Mars, moving ever higher and westward above the predawn eastern horizon. About 75 minutes before sunrise, Venus will be quite low in the east. To the upper right of the brilliant planet will be Mars, and to its upper right will be bright Jupiter. West of Jupiter, you’ll see Saturn well up in... READ MORE >
In January Venus emerges from its short trip between Earth and the sun to become a “morning star.” It begins a rapid climb over the southeastern horizon in mid-month, making its way toward much dimmer Mars. Try looking just before the sky starts to lighten on the 29th. Venus will be to the upper left of a thin waning moon... READ MORE >
After a long stint as an evening “star,” Venus plunges into the sunset on its next trip between Earth and the sun. It’s a short trip, though; in less than a month, Venus reappears in the morning sky. Jupiter remains a beacon in the southwest, while dimmer Saturn shimmers to its lower right. But over the next couple of months... READ MORE >
Winter may seem endless by the time March rolls around, but this month the sun and the day length are both climbing at top speed. At our northern latitude, the day length is increasing by about three minutes a day. The rate of change peaks at the vernal equinox, which this year arrives at 4:37 a.m. on March 20th. At... READ MORE >
