Posts by 

Don Machholz

Green comet passes Aldebaran on February 14 and 15

The green comet - Comet 2022 E3 (ZTF) - will pass near the bright star Aldebaran on February 14 and 15. Find maps and guidance on how to see the pair.

2023 Eta Aquariid meteor shower: All you need to know

May's Eta Aquariid meteor shower has a broad peak and often can be watched over several mornings. But, in 2023, moonlight interferes.

Kochab and Pherkad: The Guardians of the Pole

Kochab and Pherkad are two stars in the Little Dipper that carry the nickname of the Guardians of the Pole. Here's how to find them and more.
Astronomy Essentials

Saturn’s rings: Top tips for seeing

If you want to see Saturn's rings, August 2022 is a great time to look. Grab a telescope, find a dark sky and read the tips found here!

Raining fish and frogs … for real

Click here to read many recent, documented accounts of raining fish and frogs. Yes, it's a real thing! Discover the causes here.

Visualize the Perseid meteor stream in space

This visualization by Ian Webster and Peter Jenniskens uses NASA data to render the Perseid meteor stream in space. Don't miss this!

Why do meteor showers have a radiant point?

Meteors enter Earth's atmosphere on parallel paths. So, you'll see meteors appear to come from a single point in the sky: the radiant point!

Meet Delta Scorpii, aka Dschubba

Delta Scorpii, also known as Dschubba, is a variable star in the constellation Scorpius. With the eyes alone, you can check its brightness for yourself, and for science.

Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact on Jupiter 28 years ago

Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 hit Jupiter in 1994, 28 years ago, scarring the gaseous surface and also leaving behind water that remains in the atmosphere today.

Eltanin and Rastaban, the Dragon’s eyes

These 2 famous stars shine down from the northern sky. Eltanin and Rastaban represent the fiery eyes of the constellation Draco the Dragon.