Wondering where and how to observe the Eta Aquarid meteor shower so you don’t miss out? Here’s what’s to know, with tips on watching the meteor showers and getting the best views… If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and seen a streak of light racing across the sky, you’ve seen a meteor. … Read more
You might be going on a cruise ship, where you’ll get the chance to gaze at the night sky, where city lights can’t interfere, and the sky stretches wide open above you. Here are some tips to help you make the most of that experience. Ship’s Movement and Stability Unlike stationary stargazing on land, the … Read more
You can figure out which direction is which by looking at the night sky. Humans have been doing this for thousands of years. And, there’s no reason why you can’t find your way today from reading the position of stars and planets. Key takeaway: Unlike stars, planets tend to move around the night sky. However, … Read more
Traditional peoples all over the world have developed their own stories and beliefs about the stars and the cosmos. They were guided in many ways by the night sky. Many early cultures used astronomy to understand their place in the world and the cosmos. The position of stars, star groups, and clusters helped them mark … Read more
As a backyard astronomer, I’m on the lookout for interesting night sky objects to observe. One set I highly recommend is the deep-sky objects cataloged by French astronomer Charles Messier — called Messier Objects. Here, I list some favorites along with how to find them and what to expect. Messier objects were first cataloged by … Read more
There are so many interesting facts about Venus that I thought I’d put together a list of 26 to share with you. So, whether you’re a backyard enthusiast of space or just curious about our neighboring planet, keep reading to learn some cool and surprising facts about Venus! When you look through your telescope at … Read more
You see the Milky Way as a hazy band of lights stretching across the night sky. In this article, I cover what to know about the Milky Way, especially in understanding what we can or can’t see as backyard astronomers. The Milky Way is made up of various types of matter, including stars, gas, and … Read more
Wondering where and how to observe a meteor shower so you don’t miss out, then this post has you covered with tips for watching meteor showers, including the equipment and tips on getting the best views… What are Meteor Showers? If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and seen a streak of light … Read more
For a fun family activity, at certain points in time and space you can try spotting the International Space Station (ISS) as it orbits the Earth. Here’s a quick guide on the how, when, where, and why of observing this space station. The sighting opportunities to spot the ISS from Earth range from a few … Read more
With the help of night-sky apps, you can take your astronomy hobby to the next level and deepen your understanding and appreciation of the universe. Here I look at 10 popular apps for exploring the night sky. As a backyard astronomer, I find, apart from using hardcopy sky maps and a planisphere, having a relevant … Read more