Astronomy Articles

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Supermoon Silhouette

What is a Supermoon?

What is a supermoon? We agree it’s a catchy word—and anything that encourages us to explore the...
Star of Bethlehem

The Star of Bethlehem

Was the Star of Bethlehem a real celestial body or a miraculous vision? Astronomer Bob Berman...
Ruins

Spooky Sky: We Dare You to Go Out!

The Sun is setting earlier and earlier: It’s really dark. The leaves are dropping quickly now, so...
What is Planet Nine?

Looking for Planet Nine

What is Planet Nine? Find out more about a possible new planet in our solar system. Everyone likes...
Comet Catalina from Slooh.com

How to See Comet Catalina

Everyone loves comets.  When we get a bright one every 15 or 20 years the world goes nuts.  We...
Horizon Sunset

When is the Darkest Day of Winter?

The darkest afternoon—our earliest sunset—is upon us. For most of us, the darkest day of winter...
Deneb

What Star is Directly Overhead?

Look straight up at a star—and see where you are heading! Something very cool is overhead. Next...
Pluto by New Horizon Spacecraft

Should Pluto be a Planet?

Should Pluto be a planet? Having now seen some of our first-ever close-up pictures of Pluto, let’s...
Night Sky Camping

October Planet Show Extends its Run

The action remains glued to the morning sky.  We’re talking 6:00 AM.  Normally, planet conjunctions...
Four Planets Meet in the October 2015 Night Sky!

Four Planets Meet in the October 2015 Night Sky!

The wild morning display continues! See four planets performing the year’s best conjunctions. It’s...
Stargazing from Earth

Sky Maps (Star Charts): October 2015

Find your way around the night sky! Below is a free sky map for OCTOBER 2015 as well as a printable...
Sky Watch

Sky Watch: October 2015

Welcome to the October 2015 Sky Watch, courtesy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Here are the month’s ...
Machu Piccu

5 Ancient Sites Aligned With the Solstice and Equinox

Ever been to Stonehenge? Machu Picchu? Across time, people have marked the changes of seasons—...
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter 360

When Do the Seasons Start in 2019-2020?

When do the four seasons—autumn, winter, spring, and summer—start? Here are your equinox and...
Full Hunter's Moon png - OFA

Full Moon for October 2019

When is the Full Hunter’s Moon—and what’s the meaning behind its name? Plus, find your Moon phase...
Autumnal Equinox

The Old, Misunderstood Equinox

Can you balance an egg on the equinox? Are days and nights truly equal? Bob separates autumnal...
Harvest Moon

Why The Harvest Moon Appears to Shine On—For Days!

Let’s set the record straight about this year’s Harvest Moon. It’s not bigger than other full Moons...
Full Harvest Moon - OFA

Full Moon for September 2019

The full Moon for September 2019 is once again the “Harvest Moon.” See what this means—plus, Moon...
Harvest Moon and Plane

What is the Harvest Moon?

In 2019, the Harvest Moon rises on the night of Friday the 13th! But what is the Harvest Moon and...
Harvest Moon

The Full Harvest Moon Rises Friday the 13th!

This Friday the 13th brings the most famous Full Moon of the year—the Harvest Moon. It’s a great...
New England Foliage

2019 Fall Foliage Map

Planning on leaf-peeping? Check out our interactive Fall Foliage Map to see when fall leaves are at...
Autumnal Equinox - Fall Road

Autumnal Equinox 2019: The First Day of Fall

In 2019, the autumnal equinox—also called the September equinox—will arrive on September 23 in...
Milky Way Galaxy

View the Milky Way Galaxy at Its Best

Want to experience the kind of cosmic panorama seen under the opening credits of Star Wars? You’re...
Planet Jupiter

Night Sky for September 2019

Welcome to the Sky Watch for September 2019. Jupiter and Saturn can be found in the sky at...
Sky Map September 2019

Sky Map: September 2019

The Autumnal Equinox is upon us! Keep en eye out for some interesting autumn asterisms and stars...
Spring Tides & Neap Tides

What Are Spring Tides & Neap Tides?

Since antiquity, people have noticed that the greatest difference between high and low tide is...
woolly-bear-caterpillar-winter

Woolly Bear Caterpillars and Weather Prediction

The woolly bear caterpillar—also called woolly worm or fuzzy worm—has the reputation of being able...
bright crescent Moon

The Captivating Crescent Moon

The captivating crescent may be the Moon’s most fascinating phase. Why is the crescent Moon...
Moon Illusion

The Moon Illusion: Why Does the Moon Look So Big Tonight?

Who hasn’t turned down a road to confront a low, horizon-hugging Moon that seems absolutely...
Full Sturgeon Moon - OFA

Full Moon for August 2019

The Full Moon for August 2019 rises this week. Here’s the date, time, and meaning of what we call...
perseid-meteor-shower

Perseid Meteor Shower

The annual Perseid meteor shower, which peaks August 12 to 13, is one of the greatest meteor shower...
Perseids

Perseid Meteors Marred? Blame It On the Moon

This year, the great Perseid Meteor Shower (peaking August 12–13) will be marred by the sky-...
Sky Map August 2019

Sky Map: August 2019

Spot the elusive planet Mercury in the east before sunrise! It’s a rare opportunity to get a...
Full Buck Moon - OFA

Full Moon for July 2020

When is the Full Moon for July 2020?  Learn more about the Full Buck Moon—and why this July Moon is...
Full Worm Moon OFA

Full Moon for March 2020

When is the full Moon in March 2020? Here’s all you need to know about March’s Full Worm Moon—...
Full Pink Moon - OFA

Full Moon for April 2020

Celebrate the Full Moon for April 2020! Find out why it’s called the Pink Moon—plus more Moon facts...
Full Flower Moon - OFA

Full Moon for May 2020

Learn about the full Moon for May 2020. Why is it called the Full Flower Moon? When is the best...
Full Strawberry Moon - OFA

Full Moon for June 2020

Learn about the Full Moon for June 2020—the Strawberry Moon! Find out more about the June’s full...
Embedded thumbnail for Keeping Your Plants Alive in Hot Weather

Keeping Your Plants Alive in Hot Weather

If your vegetable gardening is struggling in hot weather, we’ll show you how to help your stressed...
Planet Jupiter

Night Sky for August 2019

Welcome to the Sky Watch for August 2019. Bright Jupiter and Saturn are wonderfully positioned this...
Black Moon

What is a Black Moon?

Much media hype surrounds Moon names, such as “Blood Moon” and “Blue Moon,” but have you ever heard...
Rowing to Europe

Two Fishermen Who Rowed to Europe!

In 1896, two intrepid—or crazy—fishermen once set out to do the impossible: row across the Atlantic...

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