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There’s still so much we don’t know about Mars, but thanks to some recently released photos, we’ve gotten a much better look at the Red Planet’s equivalent of the Grand Canyon. Although, that’s not exactly accurate: the one on Mars—called Valles Marineris—is nearly 10 times as long and three times as deep as ours on…Read more...

After spending the week glued to the TV and our devices, we could all use a break from screens. Fortunately the night sky has a whole weekend’s worth of entertainment lined up for us, in the form of a rare three-planet conjunction featuring Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn. The last time this particular combination…Read more...

With many in-person New Year’s Eve celebrations and fireworks displays either scaled back or canceled altogether this week, fans of flashy events taking place in the night sky may have been disappointed. But all is not lost. In fact, nature has its own lights display for us to enjoy as we ease into 2021. It comes in…Read more...

Though it sounds like some type of superhero—specifically the unlicensed off-brand kind that hangs in Times Square—the “green flash” is actually a real thing that you can see in the sky with your own eyes. And while we know the green flash exists (there is plenty of photographic evidence), it has reached more of a…Read more...

Keep your fingers crossed that there’ll be clear skies tonight, because the 2020 Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak. Known as the best and most visible meteor shower of the year, the Geminids started on December 4th and end on December 17th, but tonight, December 13th, will be the climax. Here’s how to watch…Read more...

Once upon a time, there was light in our lives, but now we’re mostly falling apart after spending the year trying to navigate life during a pandemic. On top of that, it’s also a presidential election year, thanks to which we’ve been living in a political powder keg which has consistently been giving off sparks.…Read more...

When we picture outer space, it tends to be the elementary school science textbook version: a dark (usually black) sky, with bright, white stars and a few pops of color coming from planets like Mars and Saturn. But in real life, stars comes in a variety of different colors, too—it’s just not always something we can…Read more...

Have you gotten to the point where you’ve already watched all of Netflix? Do you long for the sun, now that the days are the shortest of the year? Have you always wanted to stare at the sun, but were told it was bad for your eyes? Well, now’s your chance to get an up-close look at the sun, and see what it has...

The 1960s were a time of great technological optimism and international competition, and space exploration was reason—and the venue—for much of it. Yet everything futuristic will one day pass into history, and it turns out that some of the 20th century’s most sophisticated rocket technology is now little more than …Read more...

As the holiday weekend winds down and we prepare to go back to work for these awkward weeks between holidays when it seems like everyone else is out of the office, but we’re all very much still here, we have another chance to catch something interesting in the night sky. First of all, there will be a full moon. And,…Read more...

You’ve watched the parade and the dog show. You’ve cooked, cleaned and had dinner. You’ve managed to avoid (or at least tune out) football. Now what? Why not head outside and take a look at the Earth’s shadow? It will be easier to spot than usual both today and tomorrow. Here’s how to find it in the evening sky. Read more...

After decades of space travel—and a 24-hour delay—NASA is flying commercial. Later today, NASA is set to launch its first operational commercial crew mission with SpaceX, known as “Crew-1,” from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, traveling to the International Space Station. Here’s how to watch.Read more...

There comes a time in many elementary school students’ academic careers when they ask their parents to drive them to the local craft store and purchase several styrofoam spheres of varying sizes. The real magic begins back at home, where, thanks to some paint and other materials, the styrofoam balls are transformed…Read more...

Depending where you live, you may have seen the skies light up with fireworks over the weekend. But this week we’ll be treated to a different type of (non-political) light show: the Northern Taurid meteor shower. While it technically started in October, the shower will peak this week—specifically tomorrow and Thursday…Read more...

This year, trick-or-treating probably doesn’t look like you thought it would, and Halloween parties are (hopefully, in the name of public health) cancelled, but there’s still something pretty spectacular going on tonight. Best of all, it’s free and you can probably see it from your own backyard (or fire escape). Not…Read more...

If you’re fortunate enough to live somewhere where the stars are visible, those of us who live in cities hope that you’re taking advantage of it. Sure, we can see the moon when it’s out—maybe an occasion planet if it’s bright enough—but not much beyond that. Then there are the moments when it looks like we can see a…Read more...

October is shaping up to be a pretty great month for astronomical events. Not only does it offer two chances to see a full moon—with one involving an appearance by Mars, too—there are also a few meteor showers on the night sky schedule. And as it turns out, one is happening this week. Here’s how to catch the Draconid…Read more...

If you were one of the unlucky folks who tuned into last night’s debate, you’re probably in the mood to watch something else—basically anything else—tonight. Well, as luck would have it, this week’s night sky provides the opportunity for a much quieter and calmer viewing experience, in the form of the Harvest Moon and…Read more...