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The Eclipse Party of 1878 and Thomas Edison

Greatest Celestial Events in History

Let’s look back at some of the truly incredible celestial events in history! From the 1878 solar...
dog-days-of-summer-dog-star

The Dog Days of Summer

The “Dog Days” of summer last from July 3 to August 11. What are the Dog Days, exactly? The ancient...
Noctilucent Clouds

Noctilucent Clouds: They Come From Outer Space!

They’re back! It’s noctilucent cloud season! Every summer, eerie electric-blue clouds ripple across...
Jupiter

Night Sky for June 2020

Welcome to the Almanac Sky Watch for June 2020. This month, we say goodbye to nightime Venus;...
Yankee Doodle Song (Cropped)

A Salute to "Yankee Doodle"

Not many are aware that the melody for “Yankee Doodle” was once upon a time (as far back as...
June Sky Map

Night Sky Map for June 2020: See the Stars Move

Welcome to the Night Sky Map for June 2020! Why do objects like stars appear move across the sky at...
June Solstice at Stonehenge

7 Facts About the June Solstice

If you ask friends what happens on the summer solstice (this Saturday), they’re likely to say it’s...
July Night Sky Map - Star Chart

Night Sky Map for July 2020: The Summer Triangle

Welcome to the Night Sky Map for July 2020! This month, we talk about the three “stars of summer,”...
Midsommar celebration

Midsummer Day 2020: Why (and How) is Midsummer Celebrated?

Are you familiar with Midsummer Day (traditionally June 24)? Here’s why it is called “Midsummer,”...
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 Strawberry Moon - OFA

Full Moon for June 2020

The full Strawberry Moon rises on Friday, June 5, 2020! Find out why June’s full Moon is called the...
Lunar Eclipse

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Friday: So What Is This, Anyway?

On Friday, June 5, the Moon will pass through the edge of Earth’s shadow, resulting in a “penumbral...
New Moon Lit

What Is a New Moon?

For astronomers, a new Moon means no Moon! For many cultures, however, the new Moon carries special...
Sky Watch

Night Sky for May 2020

Here’s the May 2020 guide to the night sky! During this month, all 5 bright planets are visible—two...
Earthshine

What is Earthshine?

Ever noticed that you can sometimes see the part of the Moon that isn’t lit up?  That’s earthshine...
Closed Black Hole HR 6819

Closest Black Hole to Earth Discovered

“Closest black hole” is the astro-news this past week. And let’s briefly explore it, just so you...
Embedded thumbnail for 5 Ways to Protect Plants from Summer Heat

5 Ways to Protect Plants from Summer Heat

Extreme summer heat can be as exhausting for our plants as it is for us, but you can make life...
Full Flower Moon - OFA

Full Moon for May 2020

May’s full Moon rises on Thursday, May 7! This full Moon will be the last of the three supermoons...
May Night Sky Map – Star Chart

Night Sky Map for May 2020: Asterisms

Welcome to the Night Sky Map for May 2020! This month, learn about asterisms, which are unofficial...
Moon garden

How to Design a Moon Garden

A Moon garden can be enjoyed from dusk to dark—by the light of the Moon! We’ll show you how to plan...
Venus and Moon

Venus At Brightest in Years in Late April

April 27, 2020 (EDT), or April 28, 2020 (UT), is officially the planet’s brightest evening in years...
Comet SWAN 2006

As Comet ATLAS Fizzles, Comet SWAN Arrives

What’s the most spectacular sky object? A bright comet is certainly on my top-five list. A few...
April Night Sky Map - Star Chart

Night Sky Map for April 2020: Minor Constellations

Welcome to the Night Sky Map for April 2020! This month, we focus on lesser-known constellations...
Sun Moon

What on Earth is Epact?

Here’s a little something deliciously arcane for those who long for the “simplicity” of life before...
Full Pink Moon - OFA

Full Moon for April 2020

April’s full Moon rises on the night of Tuesday, April 7. Traditionally called the Pink Moon, this...
Harvest Moon

Why The 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...
Perigee Full Moon

April "Pink" Supermoon: Brightest of 2020

This year, the nearest (and, thus biggest and brighest) supermoon of the year rises on April 7–8....
Venus and Pleiades

Night Sky for April 2020

Here’s the April 2020 guide to the night sky. See Bob Berman’s viewing tips to enjoy the night ...
March Equinox Fun Facts

Vernal Equinox Oddities

On the spring equinox, does the Sun rise due east and set due west? Are day and night equal? Bob...
Sky Map March

Night Sky Map for March 2020: The Big Dipper

Welcome to the Night Sky Map for March 2020! This month, we focus on “pointers” in the sky to help...
Spring Moon

Easter and the Paschal Full Moon

Did you know that the date of Easter—April 12 this year—is tied to the full Moon and the March...
Full Worm Moon OFA

Full Moon for March 2020

March’s full Worm Moon will be a supermoon! Here’s all you need to know about the full Worm Moon—...
Embedded thumbnail for Full Worm Moon: March

Full Worm Moon: March

What is the Full Worm Moon? Why is it called the Worm Moon? Are are there worms on the Moon? (Just...
Sirius The Dog Star, Orion, and the Winter Triangle

How to Find Sirius, the Dog Star

Who hasn’t heard of the Dog Star, Sirius? It’s the brightest star in the sky in late winter and...
Orion Constellation in March

Stargazing with Orion in March

During the month of March, the most widely recognized constellation at nightfall is Orion, standing...
Planets of the Solar System

Night Sky for March 2020

Here’s the March 2020 guide to the night sky. Watch three bright planets and the crescent Moon come...
Crescent Moon Sliver

Signs of Spring From the Sky

What are signs of spring in the sky? Perhaps you’ve noticed the earlier sunrises. Let’s observe a...
Snowdrops in Early Spring

Spring 2020: The Earliest Spring in Over 100 Years

The rumors are true. It’s the earliest spring of your life. Spring, marked by the vernal equinox,...
bright crescent Moon

The Captivating Crescent Moon

The captivating crescent may be the Moon’s most fascinating phase. Why is the crescent Moon...
Mercury and Venus

Venus and Mercury Together: It’s Now Easy to See the Smallest Planet

Mercury is now an evening star hovering at its most prominent position of 2020. It’s definitely...
February Sky Map (Evergreen)

Sky Map for February

There is no brighter constellation in the night sky than Orion, the Hunter. And there is no better...
Venus and Moon by NASA

Night Sky for February 2020

Here’s the February 2020 Guide to the Bright Planets from The Old Farmer’s Almanac. This month,...

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