Mars setting, Comet Johnson in binoculars, and a crown for Spring

Spring is often crowned by numerous flowers, and there is a crown in the evening sky as well – Corona Borealis.  Comet Johnson has become visible in binoculars while Mars is sinking and the next two weeks are your last chance before we lose the planet in the glare of sunset.  Here is your guide […]

Hydra the Water Snake and a new frozen “Hoth like” planet

Spring weather here in Maine – Ah, mud-season!  The weather lately has been challenging for stargazers, but eventually we will see clear skies again.  Spring also is the season for Hyrda – The Watersnake who had multiple heads.  If one was cut off, two would grow back in its place! Here is your guide to […]

May Day, Maine Day, May the Fourth be with you

The cross-quarter May Day begins our week which is full of astronomical sights. At the end of the week, look for the Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower.  In between, why not check out From Lightsabers to Tricorders on May the 4th at the planetarium, or Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe: Exoplanets on May 5th. Here is […]

A Setting Bull with Mars and the Moon

Taurus the Bull is setting shortly after the Sun and this week catch a young crescent Moon with Mars in this fading winter constellation. Taurus is right at the horizon and look for its “V” shaped Hyades right after sunset in the western sky. If you have a telescope, a special event to see on […]

Earth Day, April 22 – Critically needed now more than ever

Saturday, April 22 marks Earth Day which is a national day to focus on the environment, climate change, and sustainability.  We need this day now more than ever, as our global climate has been warming and numerous species of bees and animals are disappearing at alarming rates.   I’m proud to say that I hail from […]

Lyrid Meteors – April showers bring May flowers

This week we have the Lyrid Meteor Shower and nice view of Venus and a crescent Moon on Sunday morning..  While the meteor shower may not bring flowers, it is a nice event to check out.  Here is your guide to the sky for April 17 to 23, 2017… Sun – Earth – Moon Sunrise […]

Easter and Astronomy – Calculating the Date

The holiday of Easter is observed throughout the Christian world annually but the date shifts every year due to the way the holiday is calculated – which is astronomical in nature.  In most of the modern world, the Gregorian calendar is the standard international calendar and also is used by Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. […]

Venus the morning star, binocular comets, and fading winter constellations

Venus climbs in the morning sky this week being a beacon in the morning sky before sunrise and there are some comets you can find with binoculars which are worth a look. The winter constellations are fading so get a last look. Here is your guide to the sky for April 10 to15, 2017… Planets […]

Crows, Comets, and Stationary Planets

Cawing along with Corvus and two stationary planets, and a binocular comet make this a fun week ahead stargazing. Here is your guide to the sky for April 2 to 8, 2017… Sun – Earth – Moon Sunrise this week is at 6:08 am and sunset at 7:08 pm. First Quarter Moon takes place on […]

April Fool’s Day and the end of the year!

During the Middle Ages New Year’s Day was celebrated on March 25 in most European cities and towns as it way near the Vernal Equinox.  Often the celebration lasted a week, and the last day was a day of pranks and jokes which today we observe as April Fool’s Day.  Here is your guide to […]