View the full issue in the Magazine Archive Hopefully comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will be a highlight for viewing. See the chart above for its position at several dates. Nov. 5 is the peak...
Planets
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...
In Our Skies, September & October 2024
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive In September, Comet 13P/Olbers is projected to be at magnitude 8—a binocular/telescope target. In mid-September it will be a thumb-to-little-finger span...
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...
In Our Skies, May 2024
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive May 3: Saturn is .8° N of the moon.May 5: Mars is .2° S of the moon.May 9: Mercury is highest in the early morning sky due to its greatest western...
In Our Skies, March 2024
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive March 14 Pleiades is very close to the moon—less than 2 degrees.March 24 Mercury is at its greatest eastern elongation from the Sun. Look for it low in...
In Our Skies, January 2024
View the January 2024 Nature Friend Magazine January starts off with a bang. The Quadrantid meteor shower, often considered one of the best showers of the year, peaks the night of 3/4. The best...
Deep Sky Surprises
M78. Photo © Dogwood Ridge. Anxiously I scanned the sky as I stepped outside the door. Supper was over, and I was headed to the barn to do some chores. Darkness was falling across the valley, and...
In Our Skies, November 2023: Meteor Showers
As Earth orbits the Sun, it passes between the Sun and the outer planets. Each time Earth passes between the Sun and another planet, that planet is said to be at opposition. This is because, from...
In Our Skies, July 2023: Perseid Meteor Shower
The Perseid meteor shower is the most popular meteor shower of the year. This is partly because it always peaks during the warm nights of summer, and partly because it is the second-strongest shower...
In Our Skies, May 2023: Eta Aquarids
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower will peak on the night of May 5–6. Unfortunately, that’s also the night of Full Moon, so any faint meteors will be washed out by moonlight. On a year without moonlight...
Mailbox, May 2023: Venus & Jupiter Conjunction
Stargazing Chills
Bubble Nebula and open star cluster M52. Photo © Shaphan Shank. Oh, no, I thought as I stepped out the door. Supper was over and darkness was falling. An hour or two earlier it had been snowing...
Backyard Stargazing
Andromeda Galaxy. Photo © Shaphan Shank. “Good night, Dad and Mom,” I said as I strode to the door, clad in a winter coat, hat, and boots.“Good night,” they replied—Mom with a sigh, glad she wasn’t...
