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Planting by the Moon

Many gardeners swear by Planting by the Moon, a technique that’s said to produce larger, tastier...
crescent Moon

Full Moon and Good Luck

Can the Moon change your luck? According to Moon lore, in many cases the full Moon brings good luck...
Full Moon on Halloween

Halloween Moon | What's the Moon Phase This Halloween?

Ever noticed that Halloween pictures always show a full Moon? But how often does the full Moon...
Black Moon

What is a Black Moon?

A lot of media hype surrounds Moon names, such as “Blood Moon” and “Blue Moon,” but have you ever...
Pleiades Star Cluster

The Seven Sisters at Halloween

It’s an annual autumn ritual: The reappearance of the glorious Seven Sisters. During Halloween week...
Hunter's Moon

Hunter's Moon 2018: Will It Be Bigger, Brighter, And Redder?

The Full Hunter’s Moon rises on Wednesday, October 24! This is one of the two full Moons that enjoy...
Black Hole

How to Spot the Black Hole Above You

Would you like to find not one, but two black holes? You’ve come to the right place. That place is...
Star Gazing

October 2018 Night Sky Guide

Here are highlights of the October 2018 night sky! We’ll help you spot bright planets, meteor...
SkyMap October 2018

Sky Map (Star Chart): October 2018

See this printable sky map for October to navigate the skies and look for Camelopardalis and...
New England Foliage

Fall Foliage Map 2018

See our new fall foliage map for peak times across America. Help us add to this foliage map with...
Harvest Moon

Why Tonight's Harvest Moon Appears to Shine On—For Days!

Let’s set the record straight about the Harvest Moon. It’s not bigger than other full Moons. It’s...
Waxing Crescent Moon

Moon Meets Four Planets September 11 to 19

Over the upcoming days, see the Moon visit four bright planets–for the last great conjunctions of...
An Autumn Sunset

Sky Watch: September 2018

Welcome to your September 2018 Sky Watch. We’ll help you spot the best night sky events of...
Harvest Moon and Plane

What Is a Harvest Moon?

In 2018, the Harvest Moon falls on September 24. But what is the Harvest Moon and why is it so...
SkyMap September

Sky Map (Star Chart): September 2018

See this printable sky map for September to navigate the skies and look for Algol, the “Demon Star...
Black Hole

Where in Space Are We Headed?

Want to be amazed? Look skyward on the next clear night. With your own eyes, you’ll be able to see...
woolly-bear-caterpillar-winter

Woolly Bear Caterpillars and Weather Prediction

The woolly bear caterpillar—also called woolly worm and fuzzy worm—has the reputation of being able...
Embedded thumbnail for The Legend of the Black Box and The Old Farmer's Almanac Weather Forecasts

The Legend of the Black Box and The Old Farmer's Almanac Weather Forecasts

The secret to our weather forecasts has been speculated on for some time. Is weather folklore the...
August 2018 Sky Map

Sky Map (Star Chart): August 2018

See this printable sky map for August to navigate the skies on the night of the great Perseid...
Autumnal Equinox

The Old, Misunderstood Equinox

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

The Influence of Solar Activity on Weather

What is the influence of solar activity on the weather? Dr. Richard Head, a former weather...
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The Full Moon: August

Each month, we explain the traditional names of the full Moon along with some fascinating Moon...
Total Solar Eclipse

How to Safely Watch a Total Solar Eclipse

You can seriously damage your eyes by watching a solar eclipse without proper protection (NOT...
Eclipse Legenda Loki

Solar Eclipse Folklore, Myths, and Superstitions

Here at the The Old Farmer’s Almanac, we do love our folklore and mythology—and there’s nothing...
Partial Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse Versus Partial Eclipse: What's the Difference?

Not all solar eclipses are the same. A total solar eclipse is a very different experience than a...
August 2018 Planets

A Rainbow of Planets: Four Planets in a Line!

Mars remains blazingly brilliant in the night sky. The real draw now is that it’s part of a rare...
Perseid Meteor Shower 2016

Perseid Meteor Shower: Keep an Eye on the Night Sky

An unusually good meteor shower is happening. The reliable summer Perseid meteor shower is...
perseid-meteor-shower

Perseid Meteor Shower

The Perseid meteor shower is one of the greatest meteor shower events of the year. Read on to learn...
Perseids Over China

Sky Watch: August 2018

Welcome to your August 2018 Sky Watch! We’ll help you spot the best night sky events of June,...
Mars at Opposition

Mars at Opposition 2018 | The Red Planet’s Close Approach

We’re about to see one of the truly great sky events of 2018. First, Mars’ best opposition in 15...
Planet Venus

Venus Shines in Summertime: 10 Fun Facts

Venus, the Evening Star, is in her glory from June through August. Our neighbor is the second-...
Total Eclipses of Sun

Next Total Solar Eclipse

When is the next total solar eclipse? See our dates when the total eclipse of the Sun is visible...
Hot Peppers

Some Like It Hot! Best Vegetables to Grow in the Heat

A week-long heat wave and a recent question—concerning what green beans to grow in a hot climate—...
Total Solar Eclipse 2017

Eclipse History: Total Solar Eclipses in the United States

August 21, 2018, is the one-year anniversary of “The Great American Eclipse”—the first total solar...
Total Solar Eclipse Sequence

Total Solar Eclipses: How Often Do They Happen?

On August 21, 2017, people in a large swath of North America had the opportunity to view a total...
Sky Map July 2018

Sky Map (Star Chart): July 2018

Look up with the July 2018 sky map to navigate the stars and constellations in the night sky. On...
Collins Cave Rescue

Trapped for Life: America’s Most Famous Cave Rescue

We’ve been riveted by the cave rescue in Thailand and watching as 12 boys were successfully rescued...
Perseid Meteor Shower

The Perseids: Best Meteor Shower of the Year

Everyone loves shooting stars and meteor showers. The Perseid meteor shower of August 11 to 13 is...
Planets in Night Sky

Fourth of July Planets: A Parade of Worlds

On Independence Day, the same scene will be repeated around the country. Crowds will gather as...
dog-days-of-summer-dog-star

What Are the Dog Days of Summer?

What are the “Dog Days of Summer”—and when are they?  The answer might surprise you. Enjoy this...
Stargazing on Fence

Sky Watch: July 2018

Welcome to your July 2018 Sky Watch! We’ll help you spot the best night sky events of June,...
Full Moon and Saturn

Saturn at Its Brightest—Next to the Full Strawberry Moon on Wednesday

It’s a truly extraordinary conjunction. Saturn reaches opposition—shining at its biggest and...

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