Hydra holds a diverse array of telescopic targets. The constellation contains several beautiful double stars, as well as a fairly bright planetary nebula, a globular star cluster, a bright open star cluster, and a fine barred spiral galaxy…
Nebulas
Puppis
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive By the time March comes around in the Northern Hemisphere, Leo is high in the east and Arcturus is rising around dark—both sure signs that spring is...
Eridanus
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive Eridanus, the River, is a large constellation that begins just west of Orion’s brightest star, Rigel. From Rigel, it stretches about 60° southwest before...
One Autumn Night
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive Western Veil Nebula. Photo © Kevin and Adrian Shank. Rain was in the forecast, and clouds began to creep up out of the west. But as the sun sank behind...
Favorite Focus, November 2024
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Cepheus
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive Cepheus, the King, sits high in the northern sky between Polaris and the W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia. It lies near enough to Polaris that it is...
The Crescent Nebula
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive One of the first things that grabs your attention when stepping outside after sunset on a late summer evening is the sweeping expanse of the Milky Way. It...
Delphinus, Sagitta, and Vulpecula
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive The Summer Triangle, a large triangle of bright stars (Deneb, Vega, and Altair), lies straight overhead on September evenings in the United States....
Sagittarius
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive Sagittarius, the Archer, lies straight above the southern horizon on August evenings at mid-northern latitudes. The band of the Milky Way runs through the...
Study Guide Puzzles, July 2024
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In Our Skies, July 2024
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive July 2 and 26 Pleiades will be very close to the Moon—less than .5°. July 22 Mercury will be at its greatest elongation east of the sun, meaning it will...
Mailbox, July 2024
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Gemini
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive M35 and NGC 2158. Photo © Scott Rosen. Gemini, the twins, lies northeast of Orion along the band of the Milky Way. The most obvious part of Gemini is the...
Favorite Focus, February 2024
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive Horsehead Nebula. Photo © Kevin & Adrian Shank. While the Orion Nebula is by far the most fascinating target in Orion, when it comes to photography,...
Orion
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive Horsehead Nebula. Photo © Kevin & Adrian Shank. Orion, the Hunter, is one of the most well-known constellations in the night sky. Most of its...