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Big Dipper stars point to North Star
The 2 outermost stars in the bowl of the Big Dipper always point to the North Star, aka Polaris. That's why astronomers call these stars The Pointers.
February 1, 2021
See a celestial Chariot in December
The constellation Auriga the Charioteer also has several easy-to-find and very famous star clusters that you can spot with binoculars.
December 8, 2020
Cassiopeia, Queen of the north
Cassiopeia - sometimes called The Lady of the Chair - is famous for having the shape of a telltale W or M.
December 1, 2020
Blue Moon and red Mars on Halloween
The full moon of October 31, 2020 is the second full moon of a calendar month and therefore carries the name Blue Moon. It's also the smallest full moon of 2020. And it's near red Mars! Watch for it.
October 30, 2020
Moon and Mars meet in late October
Use the bright waxing gibbous moon to find the red planet Mars in late October 2020. This is the brightest that you'll see Mars for another 15 years!
October 28, 2020
Watch for Earth’s shadow and the Belt of Venus
Look east after sunset - or west before sunrise - for Earth's shadow. It's a deep blue-grey band, curved as Earth is curved, moving opposite the sun. The Belt of Venus is the subtle pink band above the shadow.
October 27, 2020
Watch for Sirius, sky’s brightest star
Out late at night or before dawn? Look for Sirius, a brilliant beauty of a star. You'll always know it's Sirius if you see Orion's Belt pointing to it.
October 26, 2020
Watch Capella flashing red and green
A bright star twinkling with red and green flashes, low in the northeastern sky on October evenings, is probably Capella.
October 25, 2020
Moon sweeps by Jupiter and Saturn October 21 to 23
These next several evenings - October 21, 22 and 23, 2020 - watch for the waxing moon to sweep by the gas giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn.
October 21, 2020
Orionid meteors 2020 peak the morning of October 21
The Orionid meteor shower will peak around mid-week, with the best morning likely being Wednesday, October 21.
October 19, 2020
