Archives
California Skies, June 2022
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…
Skies for February through April 2022
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…
California Skies for December 2021 - January 2022
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…
California Skies, June/July 2021
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°…
California Skies, May, June, and July 2021
The May 2021 Sky Calendar, depicting gatherings of Moon, planets, and bright stars at dusk and dawn, and a detailed map of the evening sky are now available for free download at www.abramsplanetarium.org/skycalendar/
The calendar and map may be…
California Skies: February and March 2021
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…
California Skies, December 2020 through March 2021 (and beyond)
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…
California Skies, October through January 2021 (and beyond)
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…
California Skies, August through October 2020
These star maps, Sky Calendar, and detailed monthly summaries of sky events for August through October are intended to help teachers guide their students to a memorable start in naked-eye astronomy. Jupiter and Saturn appear near each other in the…
Follow the planets, April through July 2020
In the evening sky, Venus shines at peak brilliance in April, while setting in a dark sky more than three hours after sunset. In May, Venus drops dramatically, disappearing into bright twilight before month’s end. On its way down, Venus on May 21 has…