Earthsky Tonight — May 1, Follow the arc to the star Arcturus in May
It is now the perfect time to look outside in the evening and learn a phrase useful to sky watchers. The phrase is: ‘follow the arc to Arcturus.’
Earthsky Tonight — April 27, April full moon, Saturn and Spica
Astronomically speaking, the moon turns full tomorrow – on Wednesday, April 28 – at precisely 12:18 Universal Time (7:18 a.m. Central Time). An astronomical full moon occurs at that fleeting…
Earthsky Tonight — April 5, 2010: Star in the constellation Bootes makes history
In 2007, an international team of astronomers caught the star Tau Bootis flipping its north and south magnetic poles while they were mapping the magnetic fields of stars.This was the…
Earthsky Tonight — April 4, 2010: Drive a spike to Spica
This star is Spica in the constellation Virgo the Maiden. If you are outside this evening, you can follow the arc to Arcturus and drive a spike to Spica.
Earthsky Tonight — April 2, 2010: Moon and Scorpius rise after Orion sets
Here is the waning gibbous moon near the star Antares in the southeast sky shortly after midnight on April 3. If you are looking for the moon on the evening…
Earthsky Tonight — April1, 2010 Follow the arc to Arcturus
Now is the perfect time to look outside in the evening and learn a phrase useful to skywatchers. Scouts learn it. Grandparents teach it to kids. It was one of…
Tonight, the waning gibbous moon beams near two bright and beautiful stars
Tonight, the waning gibbous moon beams near two bright and beautiful stars, Arcturus and Spica.
Earthsky Tonight — March 5, 2010: Star Arcturus is a harbinger of spring
The gloriously bright star Arcturus rises into your east northeastern sky around 9 p.m. tonight. This yellow-orange beauty – like any brilliant star – sparkles wildly when it hovers near…
Earthsky Tonight — March 2, 2010: Moon still near Saturn, closer to Spica on March 2
Last night, the moon was close to the planet Saturn on the sky’s dome. Tonight, the moon will pair up with Spica, the constellation Virgo’s brightest star.