How is it possible for an equinox sun to rise due east - and set due west - for everyone around the world? How can you visualize it? Illustrations here.
On September 16, 2018, Mars reaches perihelion, its closest point to the sun in its 2-year orbit. Mars' brightness in July and August - and a recent global dust storm on the planet - are both linked to this event.
Are you interested in the famous 8-year cycle of Venus? The charts in this post - from astronomer Guy Ottewell - illustrate it. Also, weigh in on whether you think we should describe Venus as she or it!
Mars - the world next-outward from Earth in orbit around the sun - has been brighter these past 2 months than since 2003. It's still bright, but will soon fade. Here are a few recent images of Mars at its best.
"I have been thinking for decades about imaging 8 planets of our solar system in 1 night, from sunset to dawn. I imaged all of them from Rome, above the amazing monuments of the Eternal City."
It'll be a great year for the annual Perseid meteor shower. Don't miss this preview by Guy Ottewell, which has the best charts you'll find anywhere online.
Mars was brighter in late July than it had been since 2003. Then - on July 27 - that very bright Mars appeared near the moon as it was undergoing a total eclipse.