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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter 360

First Days of Seasons 2018

Find equinox and solstice dates for 2018—specifically, the March equinox, the June solstice, the...
Supermoon Silhouette

What is a Supermoon?

When a supermoon arrives (the next is January 1, 2018), the media goes crazy for it. But is it...
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...
Star of Bethlehem

The Star of Bethlehem

What is the Star of Bethlehem, and what is its significance? Every holiday season, planetariums...
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 ...
Full Strawberry Moon - OFA

Full Moon for June 2018

Learn more about the Full Moon for June 2018. Why is it called the Strawberry Moon? When is the...
Sunflower with Bees

Summer Solstice 2018: First Day of Summer

The timing of the June solstice—or, summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere—varies between June...
June Solstice at Stonehenge

7 Facts About the June Solstice

This year, the June solstice falls on Thursday, June 21. Enjoy seven cool (or, is it hot?) solstice...
New Moon Lit

New Moon on June 13 | Supermoon

Today, June 13, is a New Moon. It’s also a “supermoon” which may interest those of you who live by...
Sunspots - NASA

Nearing the End of Solar Cycle 24

Solar Cycle 24 is approaching its end, which will mean the beginning of Solar Cycle 25. What does...
Harvest Moon and Plane

What Is a Harvest Moon?

In 2018, the Harvest Moon falls on September 14. When is the Harvest Moon and why is it so special...
Last Quarter Moon

Quarter Moon or a Half Moon? Clearing Up Confusion.

Only in astronomy does a Half Moon and a Quarter Moon mean the same thing! And the Quarter Moon is...
Full Flower Moon - OFA

Full Moon for May 2019

Learn more about the Full Moon for May 2019. Why is it called the Full Flower Moon? When is the...
Stargazing on Fence

Sky Watch: June 2018

Welcome to your June 2018 Sky Watch! We’ll help you spot the best night sky events of June,...
Planet Venus

10 Cool Things about Venus, our Evening Star

Venus watchers, our favorite planet is back in the night sky! What makes Venus special? She’s the...
Noctilucent Clouds

Noctilucent Clouds: They Come From Outer Space!

It’s noctilucent cloud season! Every year, from late spring through summer, eerie electric-blue...
Beach Imbrella

UV Index Scale

The UV Index tells you how quickly your skin will burn without protection from the Sun. Check out...
Surface of Venus

Venus, Planet of Paradox

Sister planet. Nearest neighbor. Goddess of love. How appealing the planet Venus sounds!  But the...
Best Days to Fish

Best Fishing Days 2018

When is the best time to go fishing? See our best fishing days in the Almanac’s 2018 fishing...
Sky Map June 2018

Sky Map (Star Chart): June 2018

Look up with the June 2018 sky map to navigate the stars and constellations in the night sky. On...
Jupiter Planet

Sky Watch: May 2018

Welcome to the May 2018 Sky Watch!  This month, Jupiter is king of the night sky, reaching...
Sunspots

Solar Minimum Approaching | A Mini Ice Age?

Sunspots are disappearing more rapidly than usual as the Sun prepares to enter the solar minimum....
when-will-the-moon-rise-tonight

When Will the Moon Rise Tonight?

A common lunar puzzle involves finding when the Moon will rise each night. Folks who enjoy the...
Planet Jupiter

Jupiter at Opposition | Closest Approach to Earth

This is Jupiter month! On the night of May 8–9, the Giant Planet will be at its brightest for the...
Full Pink Moon - OFA

Full Moon for April 2019

Celebrate the Full Moon of April 2019! Find out why it’s called the Pink Moon—plus more Moon facts...
Sunspots

What Are Sunspots?

The Old Farmer’s Almanac uses sunspot activity to help in making its weather predictions. What are...
Full Cold Moon - OFA

Full Moon for December 2018

The Full Moon for December 2018 rises on the 22nd—and will be close to full (95%) on Christmas eve...
Space Weather and Solar Flares

Space Weather: Sunspots, Solar Flares & Coronal Mass Ejections

Here at the Almanac, we have long believed that solar activity can influence weather patterns here...
May Sky Watch

Sky Map (Star Chart): May 2018

Look up with the May 2018 sky map to navigate the stars and constellations in the night sky. On...
Universe's Oldest Galaxy

How Far is the Most Distant Object in the Universe?

What is the most distant object humans have ever seen in the known Universe? The latest record-...
Melting Ice Cream

2018 Summer Weather Forecast

Believe it or not, summer is just around the corner! What kind of weather can we expect this year?...
Star Gazing

Sky Watch: April 2018

Welcome to the April 2018 Sky Watch!  See what to look for in the night sky tonight, including...
Solar System

What’s the Slowest-Spinning Planet?

Space is famous for zippy activity, like streaking meteors that sail through the night sky. But...
Saturn by NASA

The Moon, Saturn, and Mars Meet on April 6–7

Sometimes the actual sky is so compelling, we’re forced to simply look out the window. Such is the...

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