The Eta Aquariids are a strong shower when viewed from the southern tropics. From the equator northward, they usually only produce medium rates of 10-30 per hour just before dawn. Activity is good for a week centered the night of maximum activity. These are swift meteors that produce a high percentage of persistent trains, but […]
The summer solstice is the day when the Sun appears to reach its highest point in the sky during the year - it marks the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
International Asteroid Day is a United Nations-recognized day observed each year on the anniversary of the Tunguska impact event of June 30, 1908.
Venus and Mars are Alright Tonight! There is a conjunction of Venus, Mars and the star Regulus in the western sky after sunset on July 5th.
The Delta Aquariids are active beginning in mid-July and are visible until late-August. These faint meteors are difficult to spot, and if there is a moon you will not be able to view them. If the moon is not present, your best chance to see the Delta Aquariids is when meteor rates rise during the […]
Mercury's 88-day orbit around the Sun will carry it to its furthest point to the Sun – its aphelion – at a distance of 0.47 AU.
The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower as they peak on warm August nights as seen from the northern hemisphere. The Perseids are active from July 17 to August 24, peaking on August 12 - 13.
Fall begins with the autumnal equinox - in the Northern Hemisphere, it's the September equinox; in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the equinox in March.
The Moon is at First quarter on this date -it will be visible high in the southern sky in early evening.
A partial lunar eclipse will take place on this day - it will be completely visible over Europe and most of Asia and Africa.
The Moon is at Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – rising around midnight, and visible to the south after sunrise.
The planet Venus appears 1.0° south of the Moon on this date. Closest approach is at 3:38 AM ET in the eastern sky
