Return of the young moon, and Venus

Two lovely and hopeful signs in the sky ... the returning young moon and Venus. Photos here from the EarthSky community.

Why no full moon in February 2018?

January and March 2018 have 2 full moons. February has none. Astronomer David Chapman explains moon cycles and calendars, with a word about moon names in the indigenous Mi'kmaw nation of Canada's northern woodlands.

Lengths of lunar months in 2018

This new moon ends the longest lunar month of the 21st century and begins the longest lunar month of 2018.

Best photos: Morning planets!

On Sunday morning, Jupiter and Mars were half a moon-diameter apart. Now the moon is sweeping past. Plus Mercury and Saturn are in conjunction this weekend. Photos here.

Close and far moons in 2018

In 2018, the moon swings farthest from Earth for the year on January 15, only 2 weeks after coming closest to Earth for the year on January 1.

Sun in zodiac constellations, 2018

Sun entry dates into zodiac constellations, using boundaries for constellations set by the International Astronomical Union in the 1930s.

Lengths of lunar months in 2017

Longest lunar month of 21st century (2001 to 2100) starts with December 18 new moon. It's also the farthest new moon of the year. Coincidence?

Sirius in many colors

When you see the sky's brightest star - Sirius - low in the sky, you're seeing it shine through an extra thickness of Earth's atmosphere. At such times, its colorful flashing might surprise you.

How to see rock-comet 3200 Phaethon

You can't see 3200 Phaethon - parent of the Geminid meteor shower and a strange asteroid-comet hybrid - with the eye alone. But backyard telescopes can pick it up. Charts and more here.

Say farewell to Venus

Did you see the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter before sunup around November 13? Since then, Jupiter has been climbing away from the sunrise, while Venus has been falling toward it.

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