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Posts by
Larry Sessions
M41 is a faint star cluster near bright Sirius
Sirius is easy to find. It's the sky's brightest star. If you have binoculars and a dark location, look near it for the open star cluster M41.
January 23, 2025
Alpheratz belongs to Andromeda, but is part of the Great Square
Alpheratz appears to our eyes as a single star but it is actually a close binary star system. Many stargazers use it to locate the Andromeda galaxy.
October 9, 2024
Why can’t I find the Big Dipper in September?
On northern autumn evenings, the famous Big Dipper lies low on - or even below - the northern horizon. You can use it to find Polaris, the North Star.
September 15, 2024
Mimosa, 2nd-brightest star in Crux, the Southern Cross
To see Mimosa, you need to be in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is a prominent star, or at the latitude of New Orleans, Hawaii, Cairo or New Delhi.
May 12, 2024
Beta Centauri is one of the Southern Pointer Stars
Beta Centauri isn’t as famous as Alpha Centauri, but together, these brilliant Southern Hemisphere stars have inspired legends and guided mariners.
April 4, 2024
Bright Procyon: The Little Dog Star in Canis Minor
The Dog Star, Sirius, is easy to spot because it's the sky's brightest star. Procyon - the other Dog Star - is near its brighter brother on the sky's dome.
January 10, 2024
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.
November 22, 2023
Explore the Lagoon nebula, M8, in Sagittarius
The Lagoon nebula, or Messier 8, is a large emission nebula in the constellation Sagittarius that observers can explore with binoculars.
August 10, 2023
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.
August 31, 2022
Tonight
Moon and Gemini stars on April 8 and 9
On April 8 and, 9, 2022, you'll find the a 1st-quarter moon near Castor and Pollux, the two brightest stars in the constellation Gemini the Twins. Also nearby is Procyon, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Minor the Lesser Dog.
April 8, 2022
