The cycle of close and far Martian oppositions

Like so much in the sky, very close approaches of Mars happen in cycles. Become a Mars guru, here.

Favorite photos of 2020’s Harvest Moon

Every year at this time, people in the Northern Hemisphere witness the legendary Harvest Moon. This year, the Harvest Moon was near fiery Mars! Photos here from the EarthSky Community.

Spectacular Venus-Regulus conjunction in early October!

Brilliant Venus, in and of itself, is worth getting up for, but the tantalizingly close encounter of Venus with the bright star Regulus won't happen again for another 8 years. Start watching them now!

Earth in the balance today

Guy Ottewell's insights on today's autumnal equinox.

2020 is your year to see Capricornus

Poor Capricornus. The early Greek stargazers labeled it as a Sea Goat, but no amount of squinting - or even imagining - can help you see a Goat in this part of the sky. In 2020, Jupiter and Saturn come to the rescue!

Photos of the moon’s sweep past bright Mars

Earth will pass between Mars and the sun in October 2020, and the distance between our 2 worlds is now relatively small. And so Mars is very bright now! Thanks to all in the EarthSky Community who captured Mars near the moon this past weekend.

Looking edgewise into the Milky Way

These stunning photos - taken by the talented photographers in our own EarthSky community - are from earlier this month, when the moon was less bright in the evening sky. See the Milky Way - the edgewise view into our own galaxy - plus Jupiter, Saturn and meteors here!

Mars big as the moon on August 27?

We can't believe it. One of the most popular articles at EarthSky this week is the one asking, will Mars be as big as the moon on August 27? Short answer … no. This hoax has been circulating since 2003.

Insights on Saturn at opposition

Astronomer Guy Ottewell offers his insights - and chart-making skills - to you during this 2020 opposition of our solar system's golden and glorious planet of the rings, Saturn.

Mercury in the July morning sky

Mercury is only modestly-bright in mid-July 2020, but let the waning crescent moon and the planet Venus help you to locate Mercury near the horizon as darkness gives way to dawn. If you can't see this world with the eye alone, try binoculars!