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Lunar Eclipse

A Supermoon, Blue Moon, and Lunar Eclipse on January 31

Heard about this “Super Blue Blood Moon” on January 31? Let’s break this down: That’s a Supermoon,...
Taurus Constellation

Stars Crowd Around the Moon This Weekend

Easy astronomy? Deep, profound, cool stuff with no pain? That’s this weekend. On the evenings of...
Full Wolf Moon - OFA

Full Moon for January 2019

The Full Moon for January 2019 rises on the 21st. Traditionally, this Moon was called the Full Wolf...
Sky Map February 2018

Sky Map (Star Chart): February 2018

Look up with the February 2018 sky map to navigate the stars and constellations in the night sky....
Orion the Hunter Constellation

Orion the Hunter: Easy to View in the Winter Sky

We’re in a period of dark, moonless, evening skies, so let’s do some old-fashioned stargazing, and...
Our Cold Universe

Baby, It's Cold Outside

It’s been a cold meteorological winter so far, and the northeastern states hit their very coldest...
Universe at Night

Sky Watch: January 2018

Welcome to the January 2018 Sky Watch!  See what to look for in the night sky tonight, including...
Hen in the snow

Setting Chicken Eggs by the Moon's Sign

Setting chicken eggs by the Moon? Here are best days to set eggs for 2018. According to tradition,...
Stargazing

Sky Map (Star Chart): January 2018

Look up with the January 2018 sky map to navigate the stars and constellations in the night sky. On...
When is First Day of Winter?

The First Day of Winter: Winter Solstice 2017

Winter officially begins with the Winter Solstice on Thursday, December 21, 2017. This is the...
Darkest Day of Year

When Is The Darkest Time of the Year

Did you know that early December is when the darkest days of the year occur? It’s a major winter...
Full Hunter's Moon png - OFA

Full Moon for October 2018

When is the Full Moon for October 2018? Find dates—plus, why it’s called the Full Hunter’s Moon,...
Full Beaver Moon - OFA

Full Moon for November 2018

When is the Full Moon for November 2018? See our November Moon Guide—all about the Full Beaver Moon...
Star Cluster

Can You Really Name a Star?

Maybe you’ve heard those radio commercials. The announcer says, “If you’re looking for a perfect...
Orion Constellation

How to See Orion: The Hunter Constellation

In December, many people start to notice Orion the Hunter in the night sky.  It’s one of the most...
Universe at Night

Sky Watch: December 2017

Welcome to the December 2017 Sky Watch!  See what to look for in the night sky tonight, including...
Stargazing

Sky Map (Star Chart): December 2017

Look up with the December 2017 sky map to navigate the stars and constellations in the night sky....
geminid-meteor-shower

Geminid Meteor Shower 2017

In 2017, the famous Geminid meteor shower will put on a fantastic show! After being washed out by...
Kerosene Lamp

Ode to Kerosene: It Took Us to the Moon

In some rural areas, folks heat their homes with oil. Some buy kerosene, especially in the coldest...
Gemind Meteor Shower

Get Ready for Fabulous Shooting Stars

Much attention is being paid to the Leonid meteor shower, which peaks in the wee hours before dawn...
Universe at Night

Sky Watch: November 2017

Welcome to the November 2017 Sky Watch!  See what to look for in the night sky tonight, including...
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 fall...
Stargazing

Sky Map (Star Chart): November 2017

Look up with the November 2017 sky map to navigate the stars and constellations in the night sky....
Pleiades Star Cluster

The Seven Sisters at Halloween

It’s an annual autumn ritual: The reappearance of the glorious Seven Sisters. During Halloween’s...
Stargazing

Sky Map (Star Chart): October 2017

Look up with the October 2017 sky map to navigate the stars and constellations in the night sky. On...
Crescent Moon Smile

The Smiling Moon, Venus, Mars on October 17

Maybe you’ve already seen it. Low in the east, just before dawn—say at 6:15 or so—is the brightest...
Full Corn Moon - OFA

Full Moon for September 2018

Learn about the Full Moon for September 2018—the Full Corn Moon—plus, see Moon phase dates, Best...
New England Foliage

Fall Foliage Map 2017

See our new fall foliage map for peak times across America. Help us add to this foliage map with...
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 call the dark side of the Moon. Do you...
Universe at Night

Sky Watch: October 2017

Welcome to the October 2017 Sky Watch!  See what to look for in the night sky tonight, including...
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...
Stargazing

Navigating the Night Sky

The wonder of the universe is at your fingertips! Here is how you can use the Almanac to help...
Sunrise Frost

The Cooling Effect of the Sun

As Earth continues to warm, lower solar radiation may ease the heat’s impact—temporarily. Let’s...
Saturn Cassini

A Perfect Time to See Saturn

On Tuesday evening, September 26, look at the Moon at nightfall, around 8:00 PM.  A star dangles...
crescent Moon

Full Moon and Good Luck

Can the Moon change your luck? According to Moon folklore, in many cases it brings good luck. But...
Stargazing

Sky Map (Star Chart): September 2017

Look up with the September 2017 sky map to navigate the stars and constellations in the night sky....
Autumnal Equinox

The Old, Misunderstood Equinox

The autumnal equinox occurs annually in late September. The reason for the equinox—and the Earth’s...
Water Droplet

Water Shouldn't be Wet! Why Water's Amazing

Water shouldn’t really be wet! It shouldn’t be liquid. It should be a gas. After all, all other...
Sunspots

Save Those Eclipse Glasses!

If a total solar eclipse is the grandest celestial spectacle, then a good display of the Northern...
Man in the Moon

Man in the Moon?

We often speak of seeing “the man in the Moon.” Indeed, an image of a face seems to be imposed on...
Wolf Howling Moon Graphic

Myths About the Moon

Have you ever seen the “Man in the Moon”? Many of us today grew up seeing a face in the Moon, and...
Universe at Night

Sky Watch: September 2017

Welcome to the September 2017 Sky Watch!  See what to look for in the night sky tonight, including...

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