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All you need to know: 2020’s great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
Jupiter and Saturn at conjunction are only 0.1 degree apart. Don't miss them! Info, charts, photos here.
December 21, 2020
Solstice tale of two cities
December solstice sunrise comes at the same time for St. Augustine, Florida, and New York City. But St. Augustine has an hour more of daylight than New York. Here's why.
December 19, 2020
Find the Geminids’ radiant point
Why is the Geminid meteor shower best around 2 a.m.? It's because that's when the shower's radiant point - near the bright star Castor in the constellation Gemini - is highest in the sky.
December 11, 2020
South American total solar eclipse December 14
The new moon moves in front of the sun on December 14, 2020, to present this year's one and only total eclipse of the sun.
December 9, 2020
A magnified view of Jupiter and Saturn at conjunction
On December 21, 2020, Jupiter and Saturn will be only 1/5 of a moon-diameter apart! Guy Ottewell offers insights and charts showing a magnified (telescopic) view of their once-in-20-years great conjunction.
November 30, 2020
What is a supernova?
A supernova is a star's colossal explosion at the end of its life, potentially outshining its entire galaxy. Read about the causes and types of supernovae here.
November 12, 2020
Jupiter gives us Pluto in 2020
The 3rd of this year's 3 Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions is coming up on November 12, 2020. Jupiter won't have another conjunction with Pluto again until February 4, 2033. And another one this good? Not for centuries.
November 4, 2020
Paul Bogard on why we need darkness
Light at night may be a sign of life on Earth, but the darkness will proclaim our true intelligence. Check out this video on why we need darkness, from Paul Bogard.
October 29, 2020
Halloween ghost of the summer sun
At mid-northern latitudes, the star Arcturus sets about 2 hours after sunset around Halloween. It sets at the same point on the horizon as the summer sun. It's a Halloween ghost of the summer sun and an echo of long summer afternoons.
October 29, 2020
Photos of fiery Mars, at its best in 2020
Photos from the EarthSky community of the bright planet Mars, at its best. Earth passed between Mars and the sun - bringing the planet to a once-in-two-years opposition - on October 13, 2020.
October 13, 2020
