Astronomy Articles

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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...
Full Hunter's Moon png - OFA

Full Moons for October 2020

October has two full Moons this year: the full Harvest Moon on October 1 and the full Hunter’s Moon...
Blue Moon Halloween

Blue Moon in 2020: When Is the Next Blue Moon?

The Hunter’s Blue Moon will occur on October 31, 2020—Halloween night! What is a Blue Moon, exactly...
Full Beaver Moon - OFA

Full Moon for November 2020

November’s full Beaver Moon rises on Monday, November 30. Learn when to spot it in your area and...
SkyMap for November (evergreen)

Night Sky Map for November 2020: Constellations in The Water

Welcome to the November Sky Map! When you look to the south on November evenings, your view of the...
Full Moon on Halloween

Halloween Blue Moon in 2020: How Rare Is a Full Moon on Halloween?

Ever noticed that Halloween pictures always show a full Moon? Well, this year, October 31 brings a...
Space Weather and Solar Flares

What Are Solar Cycles, and How Do They Affect Weather?

What are solar cycles and sunspots—and what causes them? Here at The Old Farmer’s Almanac, we...
Summer Triangle

See 7 Stars and Planets in 5 Minutes!

Can you imagine changing your knowledge of the stars and sky in five minutes? Bob wants to prove it...
Mercury Retrograde - OFA

Mercury Retrograde Dates for 2020

Mercury’s last period of retrograde motion in 2020 lasts from October 14 to November 3! According...
Mars Opposition 2017

Mars Opposition 2020: Closest and Brightest Until 2035!

At last, Mars’s great opposition is upon us—October 13, 2020! This week, the Red Planet will appear...
Pleiades Star Cluster

The Seven Sisters at Halloween

It’s an annual autumn ritual: The reappearance of the glorious Seven Sisters. Around Halloween,...
Welcome Spring Equinox

First Day of Spring 2021: The Spring Equinox

In 2021, the spring equinox occurs on Saturday, March 20. This event marks the astronomical first...
Meteor Shower

Meteor Shower Calendar 2020: When Is the Next Meteor Shower?

When is the next meteor shower? Our Meteor Shower Calendar for 2020 has dates for all the principal...
Summer Solstice Grain

Summer Solstice 2020: The First Day of Summer

In 2021, the June solstice occurs on Sunday, June 20, marking the start of summer in the Northern...
October Sky Watch

Night Sky for October

Welcome to the Almanac’s Sky Watch for October 2020. Mars is at its most visible and brightest....
Full Moon Names

Full Moon Names

Historically, names for the full or new Moons were used to track the seasons. Think of them as “...
Machu Piccu

6 Ancient Sites Aligned With the Solstice and Equinox

Across time, people have marked the changes of seasons—sometimes in dramatic ways! Here are six...
October 2020 Constellations

Night Sky Map for October 2020: Constellations, Then and Now

Welcome to the October Sky Map! This month, we highlight constellations. Who was the first person...
Autumnal Equinox

The Misunderstood Equinox

Can you balance an egg on the autumnal equinox? Does the Sun rise due east and set due west for all...
Harvest Moon and Plane

What Is the Harvest Moon?

In 2020, the Harvest Moon rises on Thursday, October 1! The Moon will appear full for about three...
woolly-bear-caterpillar-winter

Woolly Bear Caterpillars and Weather Prediction

Woolly bear caterpillars—also called woolly worms—have a reputation for being able to forecast the...
Autumn in Colorado

Autumnal Equinox 2020: The First Day of Fall

In 2020, the autumnal equinox—also called the September equinox or fall equinox—arrives on Tuesday...
Space Weather and Solar Flares

Solar Cycle 25 Has Begun!

Solar Cycle 25 is official under way as of September, 2020. Following a weak Solar Cycle 24, what...
Autumn Foliage on Lake

Fall Foliage: Be Prepared for Peak Foliage

Have the leaves start changing in your area? When will they peak? Find tips for spotting peak...
September Night Sky

Night Sky for September 2020

Mark your calendars for September 24 and 25 when Jupiter and Saturn hover due south at 8:30 p.m....
Moon Hangs Low at Bryce Canyon

Why Is the Moon So Low (or So High)?

The Moon meets all four of the most brilliant and easily-seen planets this week and next. See Bob’s...
Best Days to Fish

Fishing Calendar for 2020

When is the best time to go fishing? See the best fishing dates and times from The Old Farmer’s...
Near Side Moon Far Side Moon

The Far Side of the Moon

We never see the far side of the Moon or what some people mistakenly call the “dark side.” So what...
Harvest Moon

What Day Is the Harvest Moon in 2020?

When is the full Harvest Moon: This year, the famous Harvest Moon—which appears to shine on for...
September Night Sky Map

Night Sky Map for September 2020: Pegasus & Measuring the Sky

Welcome to the Night Sky Map for September 2020! This month, watch for Pegasus, the Winged Horse,...
Full Corn Moon

Full Moon for September 2020

The full Moon for September 2020 is the Full Corn Moon! (This year, the Harvest Moon will be in...
August Night Sky 2020

Night Sky for August 2020

Look up! The month of August ends with the waxing Moon meeting giant planets Jupiter and Saturn in...
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter 360

When Do the Seasons Start in 2020?

When do all of the four seasons—fall, winter, spring, and summer—start and end? Find your equinox...

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