Latest articles by Joe Rao
August's rare Super Blue Moon, the biggest full moon of 2023, rises tonight
In addition to its "supermoon" status, this particular full moon will be the second to occur in the month of August, making the full moon on Aug. 30 also branded as a "Blue" moon.
Will newfound Comet Nishimura really be visible to the naked eye? Experts aren't so sure
While social media has been abuzz with talk of new Comet Nishimura being visible to the naked eye in September, experts aren't so sure.
See the moon eclipse the red supergiant star Antares tonight
Red supergiant Antares, the 15th brightest star in the night sky, will appear to abruptly blink out behind the moon's dark limb during a lunar occultation on Aug. 23, 2023.
See Jupiter and the half moon join up in the night sky tonight
The moon and Jupiter will be just under the feet of Aries the Ram, in the night sky on the evening of Monday, Aug. 7. With the right binoculars, you could see five moons at once.
The Perseid meteor shower peaks in August. Here's how to see it
The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most dependable annual showers, peaks on Aug. 12 and 13, and this year looks great for meteor watchers in North America.
The summer meteor showers of 2023 could be awesome. Here's how to see them
One of the best meteor displays of the year will be visible soon: The Perseid Shower. But there also are a number of minor meteor displays that will be peaking in the next couple of weeks.
Mars and Venus leave the night sky this month. Here's how to say goodbye
Mars and Venus have been brilliant in the night sky for many months on end but will soon say farewell as July 2023 comes to a close.
Happy Aphelion Day! Earth is at its farthest from the sun for 2023 today
Earth reaches the farthest point in its orbit around the sun for 2023, called aphelion, on Thursday (July 6) at a distance of 94,506,364 miles (152,093,250 km).
One of the longest solar eclipses on Earth darkened the sky 50 years ago. Here's how it happened.
Fifty years ago, on Saturday, June 30, 1973, one of the longest total eclipses of the sun in modern times took place.
What causes the strange green flash at sunset and sunrise on Earth?
There are very special cases, when the sky is very clear and exceptionally transparent, that a green flash can be glimpsed just as the very topmost part of the sun is rising or setting.
June Solstice 2023: How twilight zones affect day length
June 21, the day of the northern summer solstice, has much more than 15 hours of sunlight if the extensive twilight periods around dusk and dawn are taken into account.
The moon, Venus, Mars and bright stars shine in a summer celestial gathering this week. Here's how to see it.
The crescent moon joins Mars, Venus and some of the brightest stars to kick off the summer 2024 skywatching season.
Don't miss Jupiter and its 4 Galilean satellites shine near the crescent moon tonight
Night owls and early risers will be treated to a late-night spectacle as a bright Jupiter and the moon will appear close together in the night sky overnight.
See the stars of the Spring Triangle reach high in the sky this month
Within the stars of the Spring Triangle is the "Realm of the Galaxies," a veritable treasure trove of numerous star cities.
40 years ago, a comet came out of the blue in a surprise Earth flyby. Here's what we know now.
Forty years ago this month, there came a show stopping celestial sight — literally a bolt out of the blue — as a new comet was discovered close to Earth.
This new supernova is the closest to Earth in a decade. It's visible in the night sky right now.
During the last few days, astronomers have been pointing their telescopes toward a familiar celestial object in our spring night sky for a look at a rare event: A new supernova.
Watch the moon, Venus and Mars engage in a celestial dance this week
See the moon shine between Venus and Mars next week as the two planets, along with, Pollux and Castor engage in a series of interesting configurations.
See Jupiter hide behind the moon during a lunar occultation early on May 17
Early in the morning on Wednesday, May 17, gas giant Jupiter and its four bright Galilean moons will pass behind a very thin crescent moon.
Don't miss Venus in the late night sky right now before it turns into a 'Morning Star'
Venus will begin staying out later and later in the coming weeks until it leaves the night sky to become a dazzling fixture in the predawn morning through the end of 2023.
A powerful eruption on the sun could create widespread auroras tonight
A pair of eruptions seen on the sun might lead to a display of auroras for parts of the northern and central United States on May 11.
What time is it on the moon? How a lunar clock debate led to an out-of-this-world timepiece
What time is it on the moon? One wristwatch tried to answer that question, yet was largely forgotten by history.
Look for 'Earthgrazers' as the Eta Aquarid meteor shower overlaps the new moon on May 19
The peak of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower unfortunately coincided with a bright full moon, but there is still time to catch a few stragglers was we approach the new moon on May 19.
When, where and how to see the planets in the 2023 night sky
Reference This guide will tell you the best times to see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in 2023, and clue you in about planetary meetups, conjunctions and more.
