This Week's Amazing Sky
June 4, 2021
If you ask friends what happens on the summer solstice (this Sunday), they’re likely to say it’s the longest day of the year. But let’s learn something new. Bob Berman lists 7 cool (or, is it “hot”?) solstice facts. See how many you know!
The solstice on Sunday, June 20, 2021, happens at the same instant for all of us, everywhere on Earth; only our clocks are different. In the United States, the solstice occurs at 11:32 PM EDT.
Sure, you may know that the summer solstice is the “longest” day of... more
May 24, 2021
A total lunar eclipse of the full Flower Moon happens early Wednesday morning, May 26. It all sounds great—until you read the fine print. Turns out, it will only be “total” for those on or near the West Coast. And even then, the Moon will be so low in the sky—less than 15 degrees when totality begins—that hills, trees, or houses can easily obscure it. Learn about this strange and short total lunar eclipse—and what you will see without the hype!
This One’s for the West Coast
In North America, it... more
May 21, 2021
A total eclipse of the Moon is on May 26. Some folks are calling it a “Blood Moon.” There’s boatloads of celestial hype about this phenomenon. We’ll help you separate fact from fiction.
What is a Blood Moon?
May 26, 2021 brings a total lunar eclipse (and a supermoon!)—only partially visible from North America. The full Moon of May is also this year’s closest, biggest, and brightest Moon: a supermoon. See the Almanac’s May Moon Guide to learn more about the Full Flower Moon.
A total eclipse of... more
May 10, 2021
Spring’s metamorphosis in the garden is grabbing our attention but a quick upward glance shows the sky is radically changing, too! Your location matters as well. See how the skies change in spring.
Quiet Skies of Spring
The brilliant winter constellations—the hunter Orion and his friends—now balance for a final weeks low in the west at nightfall. After 9 or 10 P.M. they’re gone, replaced by the much darker patterns of spring, caused by us now looking through the thinnest portion of the Milky ... more
April 29, 2021
Maybe you’ve heard those radio commercials. The announcer says, “If you’re looking for a perfect gift for that special someone … then have a star named after them!” Can you really name a star? The answer to this question is … in the eye of the beholder. Let’s see what you think.
The International Star Registry is still in business. More than 30 years ago, when I first saw their advertisements, I thought that Ira Downings of Toronto, the person behind it, would make a quick buck and then vanish... more
April 23, 2021
There are two supermoons in 2021—and the next one is Wednesday morning, May 26, 2021 at 7:14 a.m. EDT. The Moon will appear full both Tuesday and Wednesday night. What is a supermoon? We agree that it’s a catchy word and anything that encourages us to explore the night sky is positive—but let’s also get our facts straight.
What Is a Supermoon?
Generally speaking, a supermoon is a full moon that appears larger than a typical full moon due to it being closer to Earth.
However, there’s a bit ... more
April 15, 2021
Many of us are simply intoxicated with spring’s magic. The suddenly sprouting flowers, exploding willows, and the return of nature’s smells (which happens whenever the air gets warmer than 50 degrees) is almost sensory overload. But let’s include the sky in our appreciations. This coming weekend, Friday April 16th through Sunday the 18th, is an especially perfect time.
The Sun Strengthens
The Sun’s strength has grown palpably stronger on our skin. The Sun’s height determines its intensity, and... more
April 2, 2021
During the early weeks of spring, the most widely recognized constellation at nightfall is Orion, standing upright in the southwest. People who appreciate the outdoors may know this prominent constellation best. Here are Orion constellation facts and viewing tips from Almanac astronomer Bob Berman.
Ubiquitous Orion
Of the 88 constellations, Orion is distinctive with its famous belt, those three-stars-in-row. For us during these first weeks of spring, Orion’s belt floats nicely high in the... more
April 1, 2021
What are the Seven Sisters? These are stars in the Pleiades star cluster—one of the most noticeable star pattern in the spring. This tiny dipper of six stars appears at nightfall, lowish in the west, directly above where the Sun sets. So, wait, why are they called the Seven Sisters? Read on—plus, find my viewing tips.
According to Greek mythology, these Pleiades were the seven daughters of Atlas, the Titan god who held the sky above. The sisters’ names were Maia, Electra, Alcyone, Taygete,... more
March 22, 2021
Did you know that spring is galaxy time? More galaxies are visible from March to mid-May, early in the evening. Find out more about famous galaxies and how to see a galaxy this spring!
What Is a Galaxy?
It may help the novice sky watcher to understand the definition of a galaxy: A galaxy is a huge collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars and their solar systems, all held together by gravity. Our planet, Earth, is part of a solar system; that solar system lives within the Milky Way Galaxy... more
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Welcome to “This Week’s Amazing Sky,” the Almanac’s hub for everything stargazing and astronomy. Bob Berman, longtime and famous astronomer for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, will help bring alive the wonders of our universe. From the beautiful stars and planets to magical auroras and eclipses, he covers everything under the Sun (and Moon)! Bob, the world’s mostly widely read astronomer, also has a new weekly podcast, Astounding Universe!
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