Category: 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, the planetary duo of Jupiter and Saturn climb higher from the southeast into the south. Extending up from the Teapot in Sagittarius, the broad, faint path of the Milky… Read More
May 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
The stars continue their transition into spring each April, as Orion and his companions, the Big Dog and Taurus, the Bull, gradually settle toward the western horizon. The spring stars may not dazzle in comparison, yet the Big Dipper is placed high in the northeast, Leo, the Lion champions the… Read More
March Astronomy
In March, Orion settles into the southwest for some great evening views. 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 star Arcturus rises by 9 o’clock. After months of great planet viewing, only… Read More
February 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, as the Big… Read More
January Astronomy
Orion becomes the center of attention in January, with his three belt stars drawing a line to the right, pointing to the red star Aldebaran, the “eye” of Taurus, the Bull. To the left, Orion’s Belt leads to the rising star Sirius – the brightest star in the night skies. … Read More
December Astronomy
The most stunning sight in the skies will be the “great conjunction” of Jupiter and Saturn, low in the southwest in the early evening, the closest visible in 800 years! Mars remains prominent, cresting high in the south. Early risers see Venus lowering toward the horizon, lost in the Sun’s… Read More
September Astronomy
Summer’s constellations Scorpio and Sagittarius are thinking about leaving as they progress into the southwest through the month, joined by the spectacular planetary duo of Jupiter and Saturn in the south as twilight fades. Extending up from the Teapot in Sagittarius, the broad, faint path of the Milky Way arches… Read More
June Astronomy
Our shortest nights of the year in June still feature some great star gazing, with 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 within the Milky Way, returning in the eastern skies,… Read More
April Astronomy
April starts with Orion and his companions the Big Dog and Taurus, the Bull, standing on the western horizon to start, sinking lower through the month. The Big Dipper is placed high in the northeast, Leo, the Lion champions the southern skies, and Gemini’s Twins settle into the west. The… Read More