Astronomical Events

The large and bright constellation of Ursa Major, the Great Bear is at the zenith after dusk in late April. Everyone is familiar with the Big Dipper asterism portion of that constellation. Another easily seen, but lesser-known pattern is the Three Leaps of the Gazelle, composed of three pairs of medium-bright stars strung in a […]

From time to time, the largest asteroids in our solar system become bright enough to be seen without special equipment by skywatchers. On Thursday, May 1, Earth’s orbital motion will carry us between the minor planet Vesta and the sun. On the nights around that date, Vesta will be visible all night long and shine […]

In the early days of May, the brilliant planet Venus will be gleaming in the pre-dawn eastern sky near two other planets. Medium-bright Saturn will be readily visible a few finger widths to the Venus’ lower right (or celestial south), while far fainter Neptune will be located below Venus and a few finger widths to […]

In the western sky after dusk on Saturday, May 3, the reddish dot of Mars will be positioned just below the nearly half-illuminated moon. Binoculars (orange circle) will also reveal the scattered stars of the large open star cluster named the Beehive to Mars’ left (or celestial SSE). Other names for the cluster include Praesepe, […]