Stargazing and Star Lore
Leonid Meteors (November 15, 2009)
 The Leonid meteor shower peaks on the night of November 16/17. Various experts say the number of meteors you can expect to see ranges from a dozen or so per hour to more than a hundred per hour. The meteors appear to "rain" into Earth's atmosphere from Leo, the lion. They can streak across any portion of the sky, however, so you don't need to look toward Leo to see them. [Tim Jones]
» More Stargazing and Star Lore images in the Image Gallery
News & Features
» Venus Transit the Sun In the early morning hours of June 8, 2004, Venus crossed the face of the Sun, looking like a small black dot against the bright solar disk.
» Mars the Magnificent: Mars will shine like a bright orange beacon in August 2003 as it passes closest to Earth in millennia.
» Become a stargazer: Our Beginner's Guide brings the complexity of the night sky down to earth. Use it to plan your outings and pick the right equipment.
» Native Skies: Explore the skylore of the Anasazi, Kiowa, and other Native American tribes.
» Ancient Horizons: The astronomy of pharaohs and pyramids.
» Use the Constellation Guide to find out about this month's most dazzling constellations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are any artificial satellites visible from Earth?
Do I need a telescope for stargazing?
How did the constellations get their names?
How do I find a good site for stargazing?
How do I locate stars and planets in the night sky?
How do I report seeing unusual objects in the sky?
How do the signs of the zodiac relate to astronomy?
How does our view of the night sky change through the year?
How often do all the planets line up?
Is the Milky Way visible from Earth?
What are meteor showers?
What are shooting stars?
What is a Blue Moon and when is the next one?
What is the difference between a lunar and a solar eclipse?
What is the difference between a morning star and an evening star?
When are this year's solar and lunar eclipses?
When does the young Moon first become visible in the evening sky?
When is the Harvest Moon?
Why aren't stars visible in the daytime?
Why do planets change position in the night sky?
Keywords
African Astronomy and Skylore
Aldebaran
Alpha Centauri
Altair
American Indian Astronomy and Folklore
Ancient Astronomy
Andromeda Constellation
Andromeda Galaxy, M31
Antares
Aquarius, the Water Bearer
Aquila, the Eagle
Arcturus
Argo Navis, the Ship Argo
Asian Astronomy
Astrology and the Zodiac
Astrophotography
Auriga, the Charioteer
Aztec Astronomy and Folklore
Barnard's Star
Beehive Cluster, M44
Beta Pictoris
Betelgeuse
Big Dipper
Boötes, the Herdsman
Cancer, the Crab
Canis Major, the Greater Dog
Canis Minor, the Lesser Dog
Canopus
Capella
Capricornus, the Sea-Goat
Caracol
Carina, the Keel
Cassiopeia
Castilio
Castor
Centaurus, the Centaur
Cepheus
Cetus, the Whale
Chinese Astronomy and Folklore
Configurations, Conjunctions and Oppositions
Constellations and Asterisms
Corona Australis, the Southern Crown
Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown
Crab Nebula, M1
Crux, the Southern Cross
Cuzco
Cygnus, the Swan
Delphinus, the Dolphin
Deneb
Double Stars
Draco, the Dragon
Dumbbell Nebula, M27
Eclipses, Occultations and Transits
Egyptian Astronomy and Folklore
Eridanus, the River
Evening Star
Fomalhaut
Full Moon Names
Gemini, the Twins
Greek and Roman Mythology
Hercules
Holidays and Festivals
Hyades
Hydra, the Water Snake
Inca Astronomy and Folklore
Japanese Astronomy and Folklore
Kukulkan
Lacerta, the Lizard
Lagoon Nebula, M8
Legends and Folklore
Leo, the Lion
Libra, the Scales
Little Dipper
Lunar Folklore
Lunar Phases
Lyra, the Harp
Maya Astronomy and Folklore
Meso-American Astronomy and Folklore
Meteor Showers
Middle Eastern Astronomy and Folklore
Monte Alban
Morning Star
Naming and Classification of Stars
Naming of Constellations and Asterisms
Norse Astronomy and Folklore
Northern Cross
Omega Nebula, M17
Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer
Orion Nebula, M42
Orion's Belt
Orion, the Hunter
Owl Nebula, M87
Pegasus, the Flying Horse
Perseus
Pisces, the Fish
Piscis Austrinus, the Southern Fish
Pleiades Cluster, M45
Polaris, the North Star
Pollux
Procyon
Proxima Centauri
Quetzalcoatl
Regulus
Rigel
Ring Nebula, M57
Royalty
Sagittarius, the Archer
Scorpius, the Scorpion
Scutum, the Shield
Serpens, the Serpent
Sirius, the Dog Star
Skywatching
Sombrero Galaxy, M104
Spica
Star Catalogs and Charts
Taurus, the Bull
Teotihuacan
Thuban
Triangulum, the Triangle
Trifid Nebula, M20
UFOs
Ursa Major, the Great Bear
Ursa Minor, the Lesser Bear
Vega
Virgo, the Virgin
Vulpecula, the Fox
Whirlpool Galaxy, M51
AstroGlossary Terms
Terms to learn or review include elongation, equinox, opposition, retrograde, and zodiac.
Links
Your Sky
Earth View ECLIPSE Network
Eclipse Home Page
Orion Telescope and Binocular
Meade Instruments Corporation
Edmund Scientific
International Dark-Sky Association
National UFO Reporting Center
Earth Satellite Ephemeris Service
NASA Human Space Flight Realtime Data
Orbital Satellite Positions
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