Observing
Searching for Alien Worlds and Gravitational Lenses from the Arctic
The quest for optimal sites to carry out astronomical observations has taken scientists to the frigid Arctic. Eric Steinbring, who led a team…
Flash! Iridium Flares Captured in Real Time by Thierry Legault
There are so many fun sights to see in the sky that are pure astronomical magic. And then there are…
A Thousand Days ‘Til Totality: Anticipating the 2017 Solar Eclipse
Where will YOU be on August 21st, 2017? Astronomy is all about humility and thinking big in terms of space…
Observing Challenge: Watch Asteroid 3 Juno Occult a +7th Magnitude Star Tonight
One of the better asteroid occultations of 2014 is coming right up tonight, and Canadian and U.S. observers in the…
Aurora on Venus Versus Solar Activity
It’s a major mystery posed by our sister world. Does the atmosphere of Venus possess upper atmospheric phenomena similar to…
Midway Between Storms: Our Guide to the 2014 Leonid Meteors
If there’s one meteor shower that has the potential to bring on a storm of epic proportions, it’s the Leonids.…
Observing Challenge: Catch a Series of Mutual Eclipses by Jupiter’s Moons
Missing the planets this month? With Mars receding slowly to the west behind the Sun at dusk, the early evening…
Possible Bright Supernova Lights Up Spiral Galaxy M61
I sat straight up in my seat when I learned of the discovery of a possible new supernova in the…
Mercury Pierces the Zodiacal Light at Dawn this Weekend
Psst! Ever spy the planet Mercury? The most bashful of all the naked eye planets makes its best dawn appearance…
Comet K1 PanSTARRS: See It Now Before it Heads South
Comet C/2012 K1 PanSTARRS, one of the most dependable comets of 2014, may put on its encore performance over the…