We don’t know how long COVID-19 will keep us all bottled up, but here are a few ways to stay informed and entertained as you pass the time. More »
▶StarDate Radio: November 25 — Moon and Mars
If you look at an elevation map of Mars, one thing really stands out: The northern hemisphere is a lot...More »
★Stargazing: November 24
Look for Mars near the Moon tonight. The planet looks like a bright orange star. It stands above the Moon...More »
▶StarDate Radio: November 24 — The Great Silence
It’s quiet out there. We’ve been listening for radio signals from other civilizations off and on for decades. But we...More »
★Stargazing: November 23
The southern constellation Phoenix, which is named for the mythological bird that was reborn from its own ashes, just peeks...More »
▶StarDate Radio: November 23 — Steamy Planets
If you enjoy a steam bath, the galaxy may offer a lot of planets for you to visit. These worlds...More »
★Stargazing: November 22
Mira, the “miraculous” star, in the constellation Cetus, is high in the south during mid to late evening. Mira got...More »
▶StarDate Radio: November 22 — Ancient Planet
Earth is four and a half billion years old. On the timescale of the universe, that makes it a youngster....More »
★Stargazing: November 21
The first day of winter is weeks away, but the stars of winter are working into the evening sky. Look...More »
▶StarDate Radio: November 21 — Youngest Planet
The youngest planet yet seen faces an uncertain future. It could live a long life near its parent star. Or...More »
★Stargazing: November 20
Taurus, the bull, is quite low in the east shortly after nightfall. A star system in the constellation, V830 Tauri,...More »
▶StarDate Radio: November 20 — Disappearing Planet
A planet that appeared to orbit the star Fomalhaut has blown away like dust on a stellar wind. Instead of...More »
★Stargazing: November 19
Fomalhaut, the brightest star of the southern fish, is low in the south at nightfall, far to the lower left...More »
Current Magazine
Proposing a scientific space mission is a grueling process that usually ends in failure, and in our November/December issue, we'll offer some insight into how it works. We'll also tell you about a new effort to study the habitability of worlds orbiting stars other than our Sun.
2020 Sky Almanac
Newly Updated!
This year offers some beautiful skywatching treats, including the opposition of Mars and the closest conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn in four centuries. You can find all the details on these and many others in our 2020 Sky Almanac. We also tell you about the rights and wrongs of astronomy and space exploration in science fiction. The digital version of the Almanac was revised on July 1, with additional skywatching tips and the latest details on upcoming milestones in space!
