Category: Skywatch Almanac Astronomy | Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium's Blog

November Astronomy

Posted: November 1, 2022| Categories: Fairbanks Museum, Planetarium News, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

November’s annual return to Standard Time, on the 6th, gives us a grand view of Milky Way, arching from the southwest, up and then overhead, with the Summer Triangle slipping into the west. As the dazzling Capella rises higher in the northeast, the red star Aldebaran shines in the east,… Read More

October Astronomy

Posted: October 5, 2022| Categories: Fairbanks Museum, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

As shorter days give way to longer nights, the Milky Way arches from near the Teapot of Sagittarius, through the Summer Triangle high in the southwest, then into the northeast to greet the rising star Capella. Summer’s bright star Arcturus sets in the west. Meanwhile, the southern and eastern skies… Read More

September Astronomy

Posted: August 30, 2022| Categories: Fairbanks Museum, Mark Breen, Planetarium News, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

Summer’s constellations, Scorpio and Sagittarius, begin their departure, progressing from south toward the southwest through the month. At the same time, Saturn edges higher from southeast into the south, and Jupiter rises into the east, joined by Mars before midnight. Extending up from the Teapot in Sagittarius, the broad, faint… Read More

August Astronomy

Posted: July 27, 2022| Categories: Planetarium News, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

The evenings arrive a little earlier in August, 45 minutes-worth by month’s end. The Milky Way runs from between the Scorpion and the “teapot” in the south, up through the three bright stars forming the Summer Triangle, found nearly overhead, and fades as it heads toward the northeast horizon, home… Read More

July Astronomy

Posted: June 29, 2022| Categories: Fairbanks Museum, Mark Breen, Planetarium News, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

The southern skies host the red star Antares marking the “heart” of the Scorpion, with claws stretching to the west, and its tail right along the horizon. To its left, crossing the “river of light” known as the Milky Way, is the “teapot” in Sagittarius. Climbing higher in the east,… Read More

June Astronomy

Posted: May 31, 2022| Categories: Fairbanks Museum, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

Both the calendar and the skies transition to summer this month, appropriately featuring the Summer Triangle rising in the east – Vega, highest and brightest in the northeast, Deneb nearer the horizon, and Altair to their right, all three wading within the returning Milky Way, climbing higher above the eastern… Read More

May Astronomy

Posted: April 30, 2022| Categories: Fairbanks Museum, Mark Breen, Planetarium News, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

May welcomes the return of some of summer’s brighter stars, including Vega in the northeast, and Antares in the southeast. High in the south, Leo the Lion prowls toward the southwest through the month, while high above, the Big Dipper guides you with its handle to “arc” to Arcturus, then… Read More

April Astronomy

Posted: March 31, 2022| Categories: Planetarium News, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

I always look forward to April’s view of the departing Orion and his companions, the Big Dog and Taurus, the Bull, as they gradually settle to, then below the western horizon. The spring stars may not dazzle in comparison, yet the Big Dipper is placed high in the northeast, Leo,… Read More

March Astronomy

Posted: March 1, 2022| Category: Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

March brings some great views of Orion as he settles into the southwest, while the brilliant Dog Star, Sirius follows him, cresting in the south. The evenings also feature the Big Dipper rising in the northeast, looking like a giant question mark. Follow the “handle” toward the horizon, where the… Read More

February Astronomy

Posted: February 1, 2022| Categories: Planetarium News, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

Orion dominates our February evenings, striding mid-way up from the southern horizon by 8 o’clock, accompanied by the brightest star in our night skies, Sirius, below and left of Orion, marking the nose of the Great Dog. High in the south, Taurus, the Bull charges at Orion, protecting the Seven… Read More