It's not often that both hemispheres of the Earth get treated to an annual meteor shower, but in a matter of hours the complex Orionid stream is heading to dark sky your way! Where and when do you watch? Will it be as good as this year's Perseids as filmed by John Chumack above? Try even better! Follow me… Read more…
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Further to AAVSO Alert Notice 367 and Special Notices 127 and 141, the AAVSO requests twilight observations of the recurrent nova U Scorpii prior to its solar conjunction in late 2009. These observations are in support of the long-term campaign by Dr. Bradley Schaefer (LSU) to catch this very fast nova during its rise. Read more…
Greetings, fellow Stargazers! Were you up early this morning? If so, you were greeted by an awesome scene, much like this one captured by Danilo Pivato. There's nothing more eyecatching the a close appearance of Venus and the Moon! With dark skies this weekend, it will be a good opportunity to broaden your astronomical horizons by chasing lesser known objects in both binoculars and telescopes. Of course there are challenges, too! Whenever you're ready, I'll see you in the back yard…. Read more…
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Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! It's a much darker weekend – and just in time for the Draconid Meteor Shower! If you haven't been watching the early morning trio of Venus, Mercury and Saturn, there's still time… Just as there is time to chase a couple of Caldwell Objects and a very challenging galaxy study for more practiced observers. But we're not forgetting small scopes and binoculars either as we take a look at "What was Charles Messier thinking when he recorded M73?" It's time to turn your eyes to the skies and I'll see you in the dark… Read more…
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Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Are you ready to catch the planetary action? Then get thee out into the night, because right now is the perfect time of year to catch all of our solar system bodies in the same day! Be sure to be out on Saturday night, too… Because it's "Harvest Moon"! Need a little bit more of a challenge? Then fly off to Cygnus as we take a look at two of its most beautiful (and challenging) double stars! Whenever you're ready, I'll see you in the dark… Read more…
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When it comes to the Moon, there are times when I feel like the "Queen of Selene". In just a few short weeks there will be a whole new style of lunar observing book out on the market, and just when I thought I'd heard it all and seen it all… along comes something new! While the header photograph on this article is absolutely spectacular, you're going to go about your day (and night) smiling if you stop to take a look at what's inside… Read more…
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Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! We're back and recovered from a star party – and what an awesome time! (I felt like Dorothy in the "Land of Oz"… Comets and meteors and galaxies… oh, my!) I am sure that many of you also enjoyed a great time and although the Moon is back on this weekend scene, why not celebrate it? Just how long has it been since you've kicked back and relaxed with a little lunacy in your scope? Pick up a sketchbook, or get creative with a camera! Lunatic fringe? I know you're out there. And I'll see you inside… Read more…
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Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! It's an awesome weekend forecast for many of us attending Fall Star Parties, and all over the world we're looking forward to moonless nights and the fellowship with our brother and sister amateur astronomers. If you've never been to a star party, try the Goggle pages for information… you just might find one going on near you! In the meantime, let's have us a "Snowball" fight, chase some galaxies and ponder double stars! I'll see you in the night… Read more…
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Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Now that the Moon is backing off the early evening skies, it's time to enjoy some more elusive targets – like ones that are gone in the "blink" of an eye, or "veiled" in mystery… While you might think all of these are telescope-only domain, if you've got dark skies and eyes, you might be surprised! Why not take some time this weekend to get out your telescopes or binoculars and have some fun? There's some tasty summer treats waiting on you, and I'll see you in the backyard… Read more…
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The ISS and Discovery on Sept. 1, 2009. Credit: Paolo Beltrame
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Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Ah, yes… Full Moon. Are you ready to howl? If you didn't get a chance to watch the galiean moons do their dance last weekend, then be sure to catch the awesome video you'll find inside! In the meantime, keep your ears alert for the rise of tonight's "Full Corn Moon" and check out the Omicron gems. As the skies get darker, the Herschel challenges warm up – so dust off your optics and I'll see you in the backyard… Read more…
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Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Are you ready for a little lunacy this weekend? Yes, it's back – but there is no other distant world whose features we can study quite so clearly and as well as the Earth's companion – the Moon. If it's been awhile since you turned a telescope or binoculars its way, why not spend an evening or two enjoying some of its features before it becomes overwhelmingly bright? There are other bright objects we often take for granted as well, too… Such as colorful and challenging double stars. If that's not enough for you – then keep your eyes wide open – because some very cool things are about to happen with Jupiter's moons! Time to dust off your optics and I'll see you in the backyard… Read more…
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Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Are you ready for the weekend? Then let's enjoy the nights ahead as we fly along the Milky Way on the wings of the Swan and hunt down some very different star clusters in the night with the Fox. Do you need a smile? Then you'll find one with with a delightful asterism called the "Coat Hanger"! How about a Herschel challenge? We've got that, too. In the mood to just stargaze? Then stick around – because the Perseid Meteor Shower hasn't ended just yet. (We've got something very special inside here to show you!) Time to get out your telescopes and binoculars and I'll see you outside… Read more…
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Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Have you had a wonderful week chasing the Perseid Meteor shower? Well, the show isn't over yet. Enjoy this weekend's darker skies and keep watching! While you're out, why not take a pair of binoculars with you and do a little cluster hunting? If you're feeling energetic – take out the telescope and resolve them. Who knows what you might learn if you listen to what's out there… Things like where to find chemically peculiar stars – or a runaway black hole! It's all waiting for you in the night…. Read more…
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Perseid Radio Fireball by Andy Smith - G7IZU
Within hours, the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower will begin. If you're worried you'll be clouded out, then let's take a look at a different way that you can observe the activity… without your eyes! Read more…
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