Coming events, December 2022 and beyond: Occultations of Mars by the Moon will be visible in parts of the U.S. on the evenings of Dec. 7 (a Full Moon, the next one after the eclipse), and Jan. 30 (a waxing gibbous Moon). From Los Angeles and Palm…

In June 2022, all the bright objects to be seen at dusk are stars, plus the Moon in the first two weeks, culminating with a “Supermoon”. Where are all the planets? Cool mornings and a rare lineup of four to all five bright planets in “correct” order…

One bright planet, Jupiter, visible briefly in the evening (soon to depart), along with a great many bright stars! In the morning, Venus is at its best and brightest for the year, and showing crescent phases (discovered by Galileo) within easy reach…

December highlights: Venus bright enough for daytime naked-eye, of peak interest for optically aided viewing, and a spectacular pairing with a crescent Moon. An eye-catching lineup of three evening planets all month, with a fourth joining the party…

When organizing a first sky watching session for students, we suggest that you begin your outdoor session during evening twilight, so students can experience the joy of discovering and identifying the brighter stars as they first appear. Begin your…

In July 2021, evening twilight gatherings of brilliant Venus, faint Mars, and the star Regulus include close pairings, on July 11-14, 21, and 29; a crescent Moon passing through on July 11 and 12; and a gathering of three bodies in a field just 5°…

Evening (see evening twilight charts for February and March 2021, above): Follow the Moon nightly at dusk, from a thin crescent low in WSW on February 12, to Full, low, north of east, two weeks later on February 26. Moving an average of 13° per day…

These monthly evening and morning twilight star maps, the December 2020 Sky Calendar and evening sky map, and summaries of sky events for December 2020 through March 2021 are intended to help teachers guide students to follow the seasonal westward…

These star maps, Sky Calendars, and monthly summaries of sky events for October 2020 through January 2021 are intended to help teachers guide students to embark on following the seasonal progression of the stars; to notice changes in the arrangements…