Posts by 

Deborah Byrd

What is a waxing gibbous moon?

A waxing gibbous moon is in the sky before it's dark and lights up the early evening. It's more than half lighted, but not quite full. It sets after midnight.

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.

What is a waning gibbous moon?

The waning gibbous moon falls between the full and last quarter moon. Watch for it to rise late at night. Or see it in the west in the morning.

4 keys to understanding moon phases

As the moon circles Earth, we see different fractions of its lighted face: the changing moon phases. Here are 4 tips for understanding them.

What is a new moon? It rises and sets with the sun

The new moon generally can't be seen, except during a solar eclipse. The moon crosses the sky with the sun during the day, and its shadow side faces Earth.

What’s the youngest moon you can see with your eye alone?

It has long been a sport for skywatchers to spot the youngest moon after sunset, with the eye alone. What does it take to see a very young crescent moon?

What is a waxing crescent moon?

A waxing crescent moon shines in the west after sunset, first visible a day or two after new moon with earthshine. It sets after the sun after sunset.

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.

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.

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.

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