Mar 26

Sky Report: March 27 – April 2

I wrote that we’ll lose Jupiter before March ends, and for practical purposes that is true, but Jupiter is in a close conjunction with Mercury on the 27th and that may prompt people who enjoy a challenge to break out the binoculars and try to see it. Jupiter has been sinking in the west, setting […]

Mar 19

Sky Report: March 20 – 26

There are two bright “major” planets in the sky tonight, and they’re trivial to see, plus one “minor” planet that you can see with a pair of binoculars (which every stargazer must have!) or any telescope and add it to your list of solar system conquests. Here’s how to find them. The two major planets […]

Mar 13

Sky Report: March 13 – 19

Stellar Vista Observatory Sky Report John Mosley March 13 – 19 The Sky Report is presented as a public service by the Stellar Vista Observatory, a non­profit organization based in Kanab, Utah, which provides opportunities for people to observe, appreciate, and comprehend our starry night sky. Additional information is at www.stellarvistaobservatory.org. Send questions and comments […]

Mar 4

Sky Report: March 6 – 12

Stellar Vista Observatory Sky Report John Mosley March 6 – 12 The Sky Report is presented as a public service by the Stellar Vista Observatory, a non­profit organization based in Kanab, Utah, which provides opportunities for people to observe, appreciate, and comprehend our starry night sky. Additional information is at www.stellarvistaobservatory.org. Send questions and comments […]

Feb 25

Sky Report: February 27 – March 5

We’ve had a string of wonderful conjunctions recently, all in the evening sky, and you could be forgiven for thinking that nice conjunctions are common and no big deal. But we’ve had the three brightest planets in the evening sky plus Saturn, so conjunctions were inevitable. But that’s ending. There are two conjunctions this week […]

Feb 19

Sky Report: February 20 – 26

This week and next there is a lot of action between the moon and planets because the three brightest planets are all in the evening sky and the moon passes each in turn – plus a wonderful planetary conjunction is coming up. These two weeks have more great conjunctions than is reasonable to expect, so […]

Feb 11

Sky Report: February 13-19

This is the last time I’ll mention Comet C/2022 E3 which is still visible to binoculars and telescopes in the evening sky. This week it moves southward through Taurus, passing just 1½° from Aldebaran and the Hyades Star Cluster on Valentine’s Day. It’ll remain visible for weeks and months to come, depending on your equipment […]

Feb 4

Sky Report: February 6 – 12

I hope everybody got a good look at Comet C/2022 E3 while it was at its brightest – while it was visible to the naked eye under a dark sky – because now it has left the earth and sun behind and is heading back to the depths of space. If you haven’t see it, […]

Jan 29

Sky Report: January 30 – February 5

Here’s more on the “green” comet presently in the evening sky. Comet C/2022 E3 passed closest to the sun (103 million miles) on January 12 and to the earth (26 million miles) on February 1, and then it begins to fade. At best it was *barely* visible to the naked eye under the darkest of […]

Jan 21

Sky Report: January 23 – 29

“Green” Comet C/2022 E3 continues to lead the astronomy news, and this is a good week to look for it before the moon becomes too bright around the 27th and remains bright for about 10 days. The good news is that the comet just moved from the morning sky to the evening sky and you […]