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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, 2026
Neptune at opposition on September 26, 2026
Neptune at opposition - when it's 180 degrees from the sun on the sky's dome - comes on September 26, 2026. You'll need optical aid to spot it.
January 1, 2026
The ecliptic is the sun’s path in our sky
The ecliptic is the path the sun takes across our sky. It's the Earth-sun plane, and, more or less, the plane of our solar system.
January 1, 2026
What is the zodiac? Why is it important in astronomy?
Maybe you associate the word zodiac with astrology. But it has an honored place in astronomy, too. It's defined by the path of the sun across our sky.
January 1, 2026
What’s a supermoon? Here are the supermoons in 2026
What's a supermoon? In 2026, we will have three full supermoons and five new supermoons. The first full supermoon is in January.
January 1, 2026
Sky measurements: Degrees, arcminutes and arcseconds
What are sky measurements - or distances - in the night sky? Here's what it means for objects to be several degrees (or arcminutes or arcseconds) apart.
January 1, 2026
How often are there three eclipses in one month?
We last had three eclipses in one lunar month in 2020. It'll next happen in the year 2029. From 2000-2050, there are 3 eclipses in one lunar month 14 times.
January 1, 2026
How to watch a solar eclipse safely
Here are some great tips to watch a solar eclipse safely in a variety of ways, using filters, pinhole cameras, and other viewing methods.
January 1, 2026
Uranus at opposition on November 25, 2026
Don't miss Uranus at opposition on November 25, 2026. At this time, it's brightest for the year and visible to the eye under optimum observing conditions.
January 1, 2026
How to know your eclipse glasses are safe
Unscrupulous companies are printing ISO certification labels on fake eclipse glasses. Check here for reputable vendors from the American Astronomical Society.
January 1, 2026
