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Editors of EarthSky

December birthstone: turquoise, zircon or tanzanite

The December birthstone is 1 of 3 gemstones, the exquisite blue-green turquoise, dazzling zircon, or the magnificent blue-violet tanzanite. Your choice!

Achernar is the End of the River of Eridanus constellation

Achernar is the 9th brightest star and flattest star known. It marks the end of Eridanus the River. Here's why much of Earth never sees it ... and how you can.

Meet Hamal, an ancient equinox star

Meet Hamal, the brightest star in Aries, and learn why people sometimes refer to the March equinox point as the First Point in Aries.

Almach, a quadruple star system in Andromeda

With the eye alone, Almach looks like a single star. Through a telescope, it looks like a colorful duo. But Almach is really 4 stars.

See Orion’s Belt as a celestial bridge between hemispheres

Many know Orion's Belt, a short straight row of 3 stars. To the Aymara, Orion's Belt is a Celestial Bridge between the sky's Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Orion the Hunter is back in the evening sky

In November, the famous constellation Orion is back in the evening sky! Its most recognizable feature is its belt of 3 medium-bright stars.

See the Summer Triangle in northern autumn

Look west in the evening to see the Summer Triangle in northern autumn. Its 3 bright stars - Vega, Deneb, and Altair - are in 3 different constellations.

Halley’s Comet is Edmond Halley’s namesake. Happy birthday, Edmond!

Astronomer Edmond Halley is famous for predicting the return of the comet that we now know as Halley's Comet. Edmond was born on November 8, 1656.
Astronomy Essentials

Venus in the daytime: Best ways to see it

The moon is near Venus on November 9, 2023. That makes that morning a great time to try to spot Venus in the daytime sky. Read how here.

Jupiter as you’ve never seen it. Thanks, Hubble!

The giant planet Jupiter reached opposition this week, coming closest to Earth for the year. In celebration, NASA released this ultraviolet view of Jupiter.