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Posts by
Larry Sessions
Bellatrix, in Orion, means Female Warrior
You might know Rigel and Betelgeuse, Orion's brightest stars. Now meet 2 more stars in Orion, called Bellatrix and Saiph.
December 28, 2017
Focus on stars Betelgeuse and Rigel
Many constellations have a bright star, but Orion has two: Rigel and Betelgeuse.
December 25, 2017
The Small Magellanic Cloud orbits our Milky Way
You need to be in Earth's Southern Hemisphere to see the Small Magellanic Cloud. It looks like a luminous cloud, but it's really a dwarf galaxy.
November 6, 2017
Earth’s eclipses are special
Solar eclipses aren't exclusive to Earth, but eclipses viewed from our planet have few rivals in the solar system. A word about Earth's solar eclipses, and what eclipses would be like on other planets, here.
August 3, 2017
Cottonwood trees and the snows of June
Cottonwood trees in the American West are a nuisance to some and a treasure to others. They yield shade, beautiful foliage and, in June, a kind of warm, fluffy "snow."
June 12, 2017
Jupiter starts retrograde on February 6
The best time to look for Jupiter is just ahead. Its retrograde motion begins today. A bright star, Spica in the constellation Virgo, is right next to it.
February 6, 2017
Moon, Saturn, Mars on March 28-29
Did you see these planets late Sunday night or Monday morning? Tonight, you'll see the moon closer to Saturn. Bright Antares is nearby.
March 28, 2016
Venus and Jupiter dance in daylight
Most of us think only of viewing planets at night, but sometimes you can catch them in broad daylight! The next great chance to do that is Saturday, June 20.
June 19, 2015
Ten things you might not know about space
Ten oddities and misconceptions about space that you may -- or may not -- have heard before.
November 22, 2014
Significant auroras predicted for tonight
Reports from NOAA and elsewhere predict a chance of significant auroras, possibly observable as far south as the northern U.S. and maybe even farther south.
September 12, 2014
