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All you need to know: June solstice 2018

By in Astronomy Essentials | Earth | 15 hours ago

Happy June solstice! Longest day for the Northern Hemisphere. Shortest day for the Southern Hemisphere. Either way … a good time to celebrate!

Solstice sun on Taurus-Gemini border

By in Astronomy Essentials | 16 hours ago

On June 21, 2018, at around 21:00 UTC, the sun moves out of Taurus the Bull and into Gemini the Twins. Note that we’re talking about the boundaries of astronomical constellations – not astrological “signs” – of the zodiac.

Summer solstice tale of 2 cities

By in Astronomy Essentials | 3 days ago

On the June solstice, the sun will set at the same time in New York City and St. Augustine, Florida. But New York will have an hour more of daylight. How’s that happen?

The slowest sunsets happen around now

By in Astronomy Essentials | 4 days ago

We’re talking about the number of minutes it takes for the body of the sun to sink below your western horizon. Fastest at the equinoxes, slowest at the solstices.

See it! Young moon and Venus

By in Astronomy Essentials | Today's Image | 4 days ago

Over several days this weekend, the moon swept near the brightest planet, Venus, in the west after sunset. Thanks to all who contributed photos! Editor’s picks, here …

Top 10 space objects to see during the day

By in Astronomy Essentials | Space | 2 weeks ago

Love astronomy, but don’t like to stay up late? Here are 10 space objects you can see – under the right conditions – during the day.

Watch a total lunar eclipse

By in Astronomy Essentials | Today's Image | 2 weeks ago

Take 37 seconds to watch the January 31, 2018, super Blue Moon eclipse! This video – from Colin Legg in Australia – is composed of more than 4,000 images.

Find the Summer Triangle

By in Astronomy Essentials | Favorite Star Patterns | 2 weeks ago

The Summer Triangle is a large star pattern made of 3 bright stars in 3 separate constellations. Look for it ascending in the east on these June evenings.

Mars starts to rise before midnight

By in Astronomy Essentials | 3 weeks ago

Or does it?

June guide to the bright planets

By and in Astronomy Essentials | 3 weeks ago

Here’s how to find the bright planets – Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Mercury – in June 2018.

Viewing Saturn’s rings soon? Read me 1st

By in Astronomy Essentials | 3 weeks ago

The best few months of 2018 for seeing Saturn’s glorious rings are upon us. You’ve seen the photos, but maybe you want to see the rings with your own eyes? Here are a few things to think about.

Does Mars have a North Star?

By in Astronomy Essentials | 1 month ago

Will future Mars explorers have a North Star to guide them?

Mars brighter in 2018 than since 2003

By in Astronomy Essentials | 1 month ago

Mars is getting bright! But it’s still up between midnight and dawn. Between now and July, the red planet will shift over into the evening sky … and then the drama will begin!

See it! Young moon and Venus

By in Astronomy Essentials | Today's Image | 1 month ago

The returning moon and brightest planet were near each other in the sky the last 2 evenings. Don’t miss these gorgeous photos from the EarthSky community.

When does Ramadan begin in 2018?

By in Astronomy Essentials | Human World | 1 month ago

The moon is new today. Earliest sightings of a young crescent in the west after sunset mark the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Will anyone on Earth be able to see the moon on this Tuesday evening with the eye alone? Possibly.

What’s the youngest moon you can see?

By in Astronomy Essentials | Moon Phases | 1 month ago

In modern times, as astrophotographer Thierry Legault proved in 2013, it’s possible to capture a moon in a photograph at the instant the moon is new. What about young moon sightings using only your eye? The youngest moons, here.

What’s a safe distance between us and a supernova?

By in Astronomy Essentials | Space | 1 month ago

And how many potentially exploding stars are located within the unsafe distance?

Jupiter rising, Venus setting

By in Astronomy Essentials | Today's Image | 1 month ago

Venus and Jupiter are the sky’s 2 brightest planets, and they hang on either side of your sky now – Jupiter in the east and Venus in the west – shortly after the sun goes down.

Earth and Jupiter are closest May 10

By in Astronomy Essentials | 1 month ago

We went between Jupiter and the sun last night according to clocks in North America. But the giant planet will be closest to us tomorrow. Why?

How to see Jupiter’s moons

By in Astronomy Essentials | 1 month ago

With Jupiter now at its closest to Earth, turn binoculars or a telescope on the giant planet for a glimpse of its 4 largest moons.