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Posts by
Editors of EarthSky
Mercury is up before sunrise: Start watching now
Watch for Mercury in the east before sunup in January 2023. Mercury reaches greatest elongation on January 30 and remains bright through the end of the month.
January 25, 2023
Lunar New Year 2023: Year of the Rabbit
The Lunar New Year falls on January 21, 2023 (January 22 in Asia). It coincides with the date of new moon and signals the start of the Year of the Rabbit.
January 21, 2023
Too cold to snow? Is that possible?
Can it ever be too cold to snow? The fact is, no matter how cold a snow-producing cloud is, if it has a source of water, it can build big snowflakes.
January 18, 2023
Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper in January
Watch the celestial clock and its two great big hour hands - Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper - as they swing around the North Star every night!
January 13, 2023
How far is Betelgeuse, the famous doomed star?
Betelgeuse is bright and it's exciting because one day it will explode - but how far away is it, really? Astronomers aren't sure.
January 8, 2023
Sirius is a future southern Pole Star
Wait, what? It's true. The sky's brightest star, Sirius aka the Dog Star, will come to within 1.6 degrees of the south celestial pole in the year 66270.
January 5, 2023
Earth closest to sun on January 4
Every year in early January, Earth reaches its closest point to the sun in an event called perihelion. It occurs during winter for the Northern Hemisphere.
January 4, 2023
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.
January 1, 2023
Why does the New Year begin on January 1?
Why does the New Year begin on January 1? The tradition stems from the festival of Janus, the Roman god of past and future.
December 30, 2022
Venus before sunrise: Greatest elongation October 23, 2023
Venus before sunrise will next reach greatest elongation on October 23-24, 2023. Look for a blazingly bright object in the sunrise direction at dawn.
December 27, 2022
