Skywatching
Mysterious Moon Flashes: Could the Transient Lunar Phenomena be Linked to the Solar Cycle?
A key mystery in observational lunar astronomy may be at least partially resolved. An interesting study appeared recently in the…
The Return of Saturn: A Guide to the 2013 Opposition
A star party favorite is about to return to evening skies. The planet Saturn can now be spied low to…
A Look at the Hazards of Green Laser Pointers
Those handheld green lasers pointers may not be as harmless as you thought. A recent study released by researchers at…
Comet Lemmon: A Preview Guide for April
As Comet 2011 L4 PanSTARRS moves out of the inner solar system, we’ve got another comet coming into view this…
See Mercury at its Greatest Elongation for 2013
A fine apparition of the planet Mercury graces the dawn skies this week, leading up to its greatest elongation from…
Stalking the Lunar X
This week offers observers a shot at capturing a fascinating but elusive lunar feature. But why study the Moon? It’s…
Citizen Science, Old-School Style: The True Tale of Operation Moonwatch
Amateur astronomers have done more than just watch the skies, they've been a national security asset. In the mid-1950’s, it was realized…
12 Star Party Secret Weapons
We’ve all been there. Well OK, all public star party telescope operators have been there. You’re set up and you've got a stunning…
Why This Weekend is Perfect for a Messier Marathon
This coming weekend presents the first window for 2013 to complete a challenge in the realm of backyard astronomy and…
Spotting the Dragon: How to See SpaceX on Approach to the ISS This Weekend
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft may be appearing in a backyard sky near you this weekend. Scheduled to launch this Friday on…