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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.
February 6, 2018
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.
January 16, 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.
January 15, 2018
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.
January 15, 2018
Sun in zodiac constellations, 2018
Sun entry dates into zodiac constellations, using boundaries for constellations set by the International Astronomical Union in the 1930s.
January 12, 2018
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?
December 15, 2017
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.
December 15, 2017
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.
December 13, 2017
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.
November 26, 2017
Don’t miss Jupiter and Venus at dawn!
Spectacular Venus-Jupiter conjunction on Monday! These are the 2 brightest planets, and they'll be less than a moon-width apart. If you do miss them on Monday, keep watching. The moon is about to sweep past them.
November 12, 2017
