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Kochab and Pherkad: Outer bowl stars of the Little Dipper
Kochab and Pherkad are stars in the Little Dipper asterism. Maybe you can find the Big Dipper but not the Little Dipper? This post will help.
April 7, 2026
Use the Pointers in the Big Dipper to find the 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, 2026
Want to find the Andromeda galaxy? Here are 2 ways
Find the Andromeda galaxy on dark, moonless skies from now until the beginning of northern spring. Here are 2 ways to find it.
August 2, 2024
10 tips for watching the Geminids in 2023
The Geminids make up a rich and much-loved annual meteor shower that peaks in mid-December. Here are 10 tips for watching the Geminids in 2023.
December 13, 2023
Use Orion’s Belt to find 4 bright stars in the sky
How to use Orion's Belt to find 4 bright stars - Betelgeuse and Rigel in Orion - Aldebaran in Taurus the Bull and Sirius in Canis Major.
December 5, 2023
Observing meteors: Top 10 tips for the Perseids
The 2021 Perseid meteor shower is rising to its peak and many are observing meteors. Here are our best 10 tips for watching this shower, or any other!
August 1, 2023
Perseus the Hero and a Demon Star
The star name Algol comes from the Arabic for "head of the demon." Come to know this star, and point it out to your friends this Halloween.
October 27, 2022
Clock time and sun time agree in mid-April
Sun time and clock agree every year in mid-April. It means that, when the midday sun climbs highest, both sundial and your local clock read 12 noon.
April 15, 2022
Circumpolar stars stay up all night long
Circumpolar stars are those that never rise nor set from a certain location. At the poles, all stars are circumpolar, while at the equator, no star is.
February 18, 2022
Ursid meteor shower peaks morning of December 22
The Ursid meteor shower always peaks around the December solstice. The dark hours before dawn are best. This year, a nearly full moon interferes.
December 19, 2021
