Sign Up for Our Amazing Newsletter!
A daily update by email. Science news, great photos, sky alerts.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Posts by
Editors of EarthSky
Follow the arc to Arcturus, speed on to Spica
If you only ever learn one star mnemonic, make it this one! Arc to Arcturus and speed on to Spica to identify 2 of the sky's brightest stars.
April 3, 2024
Comet Hale-Bopp closest to the sun 27 years ago today
27 years ago on April 1, 1997, Comet Hale-Bopp was at perihelion, its closest point to the sun. This comet was widely seen from the Northern Hemisphere.
April 1, 2024
Why Easter is today
In 2024, Easter falls on March 31. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the March equinox. More about the date of Easter, here.
March 31, 2024
See the zodiacal light now, before it’s gone
The zodiacal light is an eerie light extending up from the horizon. During the months around the March equinox is a good time to see it. How to see it, here.
March 28, 2024
Why is there no eclipse every full and new moon?
If the moon orbited Earth on the same plane that Earth circles the sun, we'd have an eclipse at every full and new moon. Here's why we don't.
March 22, 2024
1st eclipse season of 2024 starts March 24-25
There are many cycles in the heavens. We're coming up to a noticeable cycle, the 1st eclipse season this year. It starts with a penumbral lunar eclipse.
March 21, 2024
Use the Big Dipper to find Polaris, the North Star
Do you know how to find the North Star? The 2 outer stars in the bowl of the Big Dipper point to the North Star, also known as Polaris. Give it a try!
March 21, 2024
Betelgeuse is dimming again. When will it explode?
Will Betelgeuse have another period of noticeable dimming in 2024? Betelgeuse will explode as a supernova someday. When it does, it'll be visible in daylight.
March 17, 2024
Uranus discovered by accident on this date in 1781
William Herschel spotted Uranus in 1781 during a routine survey of the stars. It was the 1st new planet found since ancient times.
March 13, 2024
Mercury is back, for its best evening apparition of 2024
Mercury is visible in the evening sky. Look in the west as the sky is darkening. The planet will reach its greatest elongation on March 24, 2024.
March 11, 2024
