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What is the Milky Way? It’s our home galaxy
When someone says "Milky Way," do you think of the starry pathway across our sky, or of the great pinwheel-shaped galaxy in space? Both are correct!
January 1, 2024
Year’s earliest solar noon on November 3
November 3 brings the year's earliest solar noon - that is, earliest midday - by nature's clock. It's a harbinger of the Northern Hemisphere's earliest sunset.
January 1, 2024
Greatest elongation, superior and inferior conjunction
When Mercury and Venus are as far from the sun as they get from our earthly point of view, they are at greatest elongation. It is the best time to observe them.
January 1, 2024
What is stellar magnitude?
The brightest stars to the eye are 1st magnitude, and dimmest stars to the eye are 6th magnitude. How does stellar magnitude work in astronomy?
January 1, 2024
The star Sirius rings in the New Year
The Dog Star Sirius reaches its highest point in the sky around midnight every New Year's Eve. For this reason, it could also be called the New Year's star.
December 31, 2023
Geminid meteor shower 2023: Cool photos!
See the best photos of the Geminid meteor shower of 2023 from our talented community of photographers, from all over the world.
December 15, 2023
10 tips for watching the Geminids in 2023
The Geminids make up a rich and much-loved annual meteor shower that peaks in mid-December. Here are 10 tips for watching the Geminids in 2023.
December 13, 2023
Mysterious 3200 Phaethon – parent to the Geminids – revealed?
3200 Phaethon is the weird comet-like asteroid that spawns the Geminid meteor shower. New research reveals more answers ... and questions.
December 13, 2023
What’s a red dwarf? Only the most abundant Milky Way star
A red dwarf star is smallest and coolest type of star known. They're also extremely common, making up around 60 to 70% of the stars in the Milky Way.
December 3, 2023
Thinking of buying a telescope? Read this 1st
Are you thinking of buying a telescope? Here's how to know if you're ready, with tips on what 1st-time buyers should look for.
November 29, 2023
