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This Week's Amazing Sky
Betelgeuse, the brilliant red supergiant marking one of Orion’s shoulders, is returning to the night sky—just as many of us begin revisiting our favorite Beetlejuice movies! This famous star is enormous, unpredictable, and destined to explode someday. Discover how Betelgeuse got its unusual name, how big it really is, and when you can see it for yourself.What Is Betelgeuse?Betelgeuse is…
This year, the full Hunter’s Moon rises on Thursday, October 17! This is one of the two full Moons that enjoy an official astronomical name. So, will it be bigger, brighter, and redder? Here’s all you need to know!What Is the Hunter’s Moon?People like objects to have names. While the full Moon is always recognizable—and indeed the only phase that’s out all night long…
Twilight. The word evokes gorgeous colors. But what exactly is twilight? We’ll explain the three stages of twilight, plus you can check your own twilight times with the Almanac’s calculator. Get ready for adventures in the Twilight Zone.That famous TV show would not have been a hit on Pluto. In fact, creatures on any known planet would be amazed by the unique twilight we Earthlings take for…
We’ve all heard that space is brutally cold, which seems perfectly logical. After all, it’s cooler and cooler the higher up you live. However, there is no temperature in space. So, where is the coldest place in the universe? The answer reveals some very “cool” facts that will surprise you.For each thousand-foot rise in elevation, the average temperature is 5½°F cooler, an effect called the…
Since I’m on vacation, I’m reminded each evening about how different the sky looks when you travel. Take Boston to Hawaii. Yes, the Moon will appear differently. Got friends and family in different locations? Planning travel? Let’s explore whether we all see the Moon and Sun in the same way.Actually, changing your longitude, your east-west location, alters nothing. It’s going south or north…
Thinking about a telescope? Just like the many advancements in digital technology, such as better mobile phones, telescopes have become “smart.” Renowned astronomer Bob Berman says it’s hard to ignore that the quality of backyard-level telescopes has changed big-time in the past few years. It’s like having a Hubble in your backyard!It used to be an easy issue. Anyone could derive endless…
Have you seen reports about “killer asteroids flying by Earth”? Naturally, many are concerned that Earth may not always be so lucky. Should we be worried? Bob Berman, astronomer for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, explains all in his usual straightforward way.First things first. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve seen reports of an asteroid heading near Earth, one passing much closer than even the…
Alert! The new star we’ve been talking about is about to explode. Experts estimate the time for the nova eruption is close to now. Get ready to see a new star in the night sky. According to NASA, it’s a rare “once-in-a-lifetime” event. Bob Berman has the details. The 2024 Nova EventIf you’ve been following our newsletter, you know this year has already brought a rich bounty…
According to longtime Almanac astronomer Bob Berman, this will be an extraordinary year in the sky. Here are his “must-see” celestial events for 2025, organized by the cycle of the seasons! The universe does not pretend to offer equality regarding Earth’s sky calendar. Some years present mind-numbing spectacles; others are average, and others offer treats only for those lucky enough to…
One of the year’s best meteor showers—the Perseids—gets underway in mid-July. It starts with just a few extra shooting stars per hour, and when we reach the nights of August 11 and 12, we will see a meteor every 2 minutes or so. But the comet behind these lovely shooting stars is what we should really be talking about!Meteors are tiny specks of debris that have fallen off a comet.…
Astronomy is filled with wonders, but it’s frustrating if you can’t see the sights. So, we will focus on the number one brightest star in our northern sky—named Arcturus. No star charts are needed. Discover this orange-colored, giant star with its fascinating mythology.If you love the night sky as I do, you know that there are mind-stretching realities and visual wonders capable of impressing…
Excitement accompanied the numerous auroras seen a few weeks ago. The good news is that the incredibly powerful sunspot group that created the Northern Lights will appear again for a few nights on either side of Thursday, June 6. This is also the night of the new Moon, so we may see more wondrous displays. Get the facts from astronomer Bob Berman.The Record-Setting May 2024 AurorasOn…