Why was Venus so bright in late April and early May 2012?

Venus is at its brightest in late April and early May 2012. It's so bright it might surprise you. Some will report it as a UFO. But why so bright?

2012 annular eclipse of the sun – China to Texas – in May

Everything you need to know - whether you're in Earth's eastern or western hemisphere - about the 2012 annular eclipse of the sun.

Venus-Jupiter conjunction of March 2012

See the Venus-Jupiter conjunction in March 2012. They're spectacular this month - and near the moon by the month's end. Charts here.

Finding Comet Garradd in December 2011

Search for Comet Garradd before dawn and in the eastern sky, starting around the December solstice. Look for it with binoculars.

Moon facts at your fingertips

See below for a list of links to fun and useful facts about Earth's companion world. Learn these moon facts and impress your friends.

How to see Mars in August 2011

Mars will not look as big as the moon on August 27, 2011. But, in August 2011, you can see Mars as respectably bright ruddy star, in the eastern predawn sky

Mercury waltzes with bright planets at dawn May 2011

As Mercury reemerges as a morning object in May 2011, the solar system’s innermost planet will join up with the planets Jupiter, Venus and Mars in the eastern sky at dawn.

Venus is the bright object up at dawn in May 2011

The amazingly bright object up before the sun in May 2011 is the planet Venus. Look east at early dawn before the sun comes up!

Jupiter climbs upward in eastern dawn during May 2011

You're not likely to see much of the planet Jupiter in early May 2011. However, the giant planet quickly climbs away the glow of dawn throughout the month. When will you first spot Jupiter, the sky's second planet, in the east before sunrise?

Flash of light brighter than Venus? Could be first solar sail to orbit Earth

Tonight, you might see a brilliant flash of light – brighter than the brightest stars. It could be NanoSail-D2, the first solar sail to orbit Earth. Here's how to see it.

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