August sky highlights include lunar eclipse, Perseids
A very nice, nearly total lunar eclipse is the highlight of the August 2026 sky. A total solar eclipse visible in Europe [Greenland, Iceland and Spain] precedes this on Aug. 12. The lunar eclipse visible in the United States is on the night of Aug. 28/29. The partial lunar eclipse begins on Aug. 28 at […]
Venus, Jupiter remain visible in July sky
After the very close conjunction of Venus and Jupiter we witnessed June 8-9, both of these bright planets remain visible in the western sky after sunset in July. Venus has moved well to the left [east] of Jupiter and has even gotten brighter. Jupiter, however, sets just an hour after sunset this month, so get […]
June sky promises ‘spectacular conjunction’ of solar system’s 2 brightest planets
Venus rises to meet Jupiter in a spectacular conjunction of the solar system’s two brightest planets — as seen from Earth — on June 8 and 9 in our western sky. Both planets reflect sunlight from their cloudy atmospheres, and Venus is relatively close to Earth, while Jupiter is very large. This is what makes […]
Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks around May 6
Jupiter and Venus, the two brightest planets as seen from Earth, put on a good show for sky-watchers in May. Venus, the brighter planet, shines above the western evening horizon after sunset and remains visible until 10:30 p.m. local daylight time. The Pleiades open star cluster [M45] appears to the lower right of Venus. Venus’ […]
Full moon in April is on 1st day of the month
Venus brings good planetary viewing in April as it shines brilliantly in the western sky after sunset. On April 1, look for Venus 30 minutes after the sun has fully dipped below the horizon. As darkness deepens, also look in the same direction for M45, the Pleiades star cluster, just above the planet. Later in […]
Only first half of moon’s total eclipse visible in Eastern time zone
An early morning total eclipse of the moon is the highlight of March skies this year. Although the eclipse will be visible across the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as in Australia and Asia, those in the Eastern time zone will see only the first half of the eclipse. The full moon rises […]
Night sky in mid-February offers a hint of spring’s arrival
Jupiter, king of our solar system’s planets, continues to dominate the night sky in February. Lying inside the zodiac constellation Gemini, which sits well up in the eastern sky, it is the brightest object there and cannot be missed. Jupiter is visible all night. Look for the gibbous moon just above Jupiter on Feb. 27. […]
Jupiter will be unmistakably bright all through the winter
A new year for sky-watchers begins with Jupiter coming into opposition on Jan. 10. This means that Jupiter appears to us opposite the sun in the sky, with the giant planet rising in the eastern evening sky as the sun sets in the western sky. This also means that Earth is closer to Jupiter now […]
Christmas program at KCHS planetarium offered on 6 nights
WORTON — The theme for this year’s planetarium holiday program at Kent County High School is “I’ll be home for Christmas,” inspired by the well-known song of the same name written in 1943 to honor soldiers and families separated during World War II. “As usual the traditions of Christmas will be explored along with a […]
Longer nights in December benefit sky-watchers
Winter solstice arrives on Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. This is the official first day of winter in the northern hemisphere when the sun is at its lowest above the southern horizon at noon — 26 ½ degrees above the horizon at our latitude of 39 degrees north. Sky-watchers have longer nights in which to […]