Never miss a full moon, eclipse, or meteor shower with reminders from the Almanac Daily newsletter.
This Week's Amazing Sky
May 24, 2022
Heads up! On Monday night, May 30, we may witness a new meteor shower and impressive display of shooting stars, thanks to a comet that’s breaking apart! Will a newcomer—the Tau Herculids showers—make an epic appearance? Bob Berman fills us in on the latest astronomy news.
Some words in English are frustratingly ambiguous. “Earthquake” can mean a tremor that no one can feel or a city-…
May 5, 2022
On Sunday night, May 15, a gorgeous total eclipse of the Moon will sweep across the continent. It’s especially welcome since it’s been years since we’ve had a true total lunar eclipse. Get the “real” start time and more viewing tips.
For the last couple of years, every lunar eclipse has been of the penumbral type, meaning the Moon failed to even momentarily touch the edge…
April 25, 2022
This weekend marks the new Moon stage of the lunar cycle, which means we will be viewing crescents until then. Seen in twilight rather than full darkness, and always low in the sky, the crescent may be the Moon’s most surreal phase. Learn more.
The new Moon phase is this Saturday, April 30 here in North America. See your local Moon phase time.
Until then, we enjoy a waning crescent all…
April 22, 2022
Welcome the summer solstice with fun 10-question solstice quiz. Then read Bob Berman’s seven cool (or, is it “hot”?) solstice facts to celebrate the start of summer!
The solstice on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, happens at the same instant for all of us, everywhere on Earth; only our clocks are different. In the eastern United States, the solstice occurs at 5:14 AM EDT (2:14 AM…
March 11, 2022
Who hasn’t heard of the Dog Star, Sirius? It’s the brightest star in the sky in late winter and early spring. And, boy, is it easy to find! Just face south at 8 P.M. and look for Orion. Plus, you also have a chance to see its pup. Yes, it’s a two-dog night.
How to Find Sirius
Simply locate Orion. See its famous belt made up of three bright stars? The belt…
March 10, 2022
Make a pie to celebrate Pi Day on March 14, 2023! The date 3/14 honors the never-ending number 3.14159. This is the sort of holiday only celebrated by number freaks like yours truly (and pie lovers). Let’s have fun with numbers and a nice piece of Ď€ …The date 3/14 reminds everyone that the Greek letter Ď€, always representing the ratio between any…
February 26, 2022
Are you up between 6 and 6:30 AM Sunday morning (27th of February)? If so, or if you can be motivated to set the alarm, you’ve got to take a look. Earth’s three closest neighbors appear in a perfectly straight line, all together!
Do you have a window facing southeast, and have the sky clear almost all the way down to the horizon? Or, are you getting up to walk the dog (or …
January 20, 2022
Much media hype surrounds Moon names, such as “Blood Moon” and “Blue Moon,” but have you ever heard of a “Black Moon”? This year, there are three Black Moons in a row. Here’s an explanation of this ominous-sounding name.
What is a Black Moon?
Like “Blood Moon” and “Blue Moon,” “Black Moon” is not an astronomical term. In fact, if you ask a sample of astronomers,…
December 30, 2021
It will be a great year for gazing at the night sky, so let’s get right into a quick preview of some of the year’s astronomical events! Here’s the best of the 2022.
Planets Aplenty
The big “stars” of the planet world make several dazzling appearances throughout the next year, so let’s start with some of 2022’s planetary highlights:
Voracious Venus…
December 17, 2021
The headlines drool with excitement: “Are you ready for the big comet show?” “Comet Leonard Brightening More Than Expected!” “Don’t Miss 2021’s Best Comet.” So, is it really worth a look? Here’s Bob Berman’s take and a few key viewing tips.
One big problem: very few will see any trace of this comet. To be sure, there is indeed some good news. The comet’s location is easy to…
December 6, 2021
Step out at sunset the next clear evening. Now and for the next couple of weeks, a gorgeous row of bright planets, like a string of pearls, graces the low southwestern sky from 5 to 6 PM each night. And this week, the Moon joins the show, pairing up with a planet each night!
December 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus are getting together with the crescent Moon for a…
October 28, 2021
If you heard an “80% chance of rain,” would you assume that this meant that you had an 80% chance of getting rained on? Not true. Bob Berman explains what a “chance of rain” really means!
If you’re a sky watcher like yours truly, the first step in observing the sky is having decent weather. We probably all check the forecast from time to time. But relatively few of us know how…