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The ecliptic is the path of the sun
The ecliptic is an imaginary line that marks the path of the sun. You can also find the planets and moon near this line, tracing the plane of our solar system.
January 31, 2022
Opposition: A definition for stargazers
Opposition is a great time for stargazers to observe an object such as an outer planet because it rises at sunset, sets at sunrise, and is visible all night.
January 15, 2022
Venus passages compared: 2017 to 2022
Venus will sweep near the sun in our sky (inferior conjunction) on January 8-9. Astronomer Guy Ottewell uses his great skill at illustration to compare this with past Venus passages.
January 7, 2022
Lunar libration: January 7 moon maximum for 2022
One side of the moon always faces Earth. Even so, over time, it's possible to see as much as 59% of the moon's surface, due to lunar libration.
January 6, 2022
Best of 2022: Night sky scenes not to miss
Best of 2022: Night sky scenes chosen for you by the editors of EarthSky that you won't want to miss. Mark your calendars now!
December 29, 2021
Past-and-future Earths ring in New Year
Past-and-future Earths. A novel way of picturing ourselves riding on Earth, orbiting the sun, from astronomer Guy Ottewell.
December 28, 2021
Comet Leonard in the evening sky
The first comet to be found in 2021 was Comet Leonard (C/2021 A1). It's now the brightest and best comet of this year! Charts and more here.
December 20, 2021
Ursid meteor shower peaks morning of December 22
The Ursid meteor shower always peaks around the December solstice. The dark hours before dawn are best. This year, a nearly full moon interferes.
December 19, 2021
Total solar eclipse of December 4, 2021
A total solar eclipse occurs December 4, 2021. The total phase sweeps over Antarctica, while the partial phase reaches southernmost points of three continents.
December 2, 2021
Ceres at opposition November 27
Ceres at opposition on November 27. The dwarf planet has been passing in front of the constellation Taurus the Bull all month, including near Aldebaran.
November 24, 2021
