Latest articles by Joe Rao
Watch Comet MAPS get destroyed by cataclysmic fragmentation near the sun
A dramatic breakup near the sun erased hopes of a bright comet lighting up the evening sky this week.
Venus shines at its best in spring and summer 2026 — here's what to look for
Venus returns as a brilliant evening star in 2026, with dazzling conjunctions, peak brightness and stunning views through the summer.
2 bright planets light up April evenings — here's where and when to look
Venus and Jupiter dominate April's evening sky, while Mercury, Mars and Saturn linger in the dawn — here's how and when to spot them all.
Comet MAPS faces a make-or-break moment as it dives toward the sun on April 4 — could it shine in the daytime sky?
Comet MAPS is about to face its ultimate test as it sweeps just 101,000 miles above the sun's surface.
April's full moon decides the date of Easter — here's how it works
The first full moon of spring, known as the Paschal Moon, sets the date for Easter each year.
A not-so-equal equinox: Why day beats night on the 1st day of spring
The spring equinox marks the first day of spring today, but daylight actually lasts several minutes longer than night. Here's why the equinox doesn't appear perfectly equal.
One of the youngest visible moons of the year appears alongside Venus tonight — here's how to see it
Look west after sunset on March 19 to try spotting a razor-thin crescent moon less than 24 hours old with brilliant Venus lighting the way.
Newly discovered comet could be visible in daytime skies this April
A newly discovered comet is rapidly brightening and could become visible from Earth — if it survives an extreme close encounter with the sun on April 4.
Total lunar eclipse weather forecast: Will US skies be clear for the blood moon?
Cloud cover outlook for the total lunar eclipse — where the blood moon will be visible.
The brightest planets in March's night sky: How to see them (and when)
Venus and Jupiter make good targets for skywatchers this month. Here's how to see them in the March evening sky.
See the 'impossible' as sunrise and a total lunar eclipse appear at the same time on March 3
A rare atmospheric effect called selenelion could briefly let skywatchers see the rising sun and a blood moon at the same time.
Catch Jupiter glowing under the waxing moon tonight (Feb. 26)
A waxing gibbous moon and brilliant Jupiter will pair up after sunset on Feb. 26.
The stars of Orion's belt are 200,000 times brighter than our sun, and winter is the perfect time to see them
The Orion constellation is home to some of the most luminous stars in our Milky Way galaxy.
Now's your best chance to see Mercury all year — Here's what you need to know
Mercury puts on its best evening show of 2026 this February, with bright views after sunset and a helpful crescent moon.
Will a bright comet adorn our early spring sky? Why astronomers are getting excited about Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS)
Some astronomers have noted that its faint magnitude "does not bode well for the comet's survival past perihelion."
How to use the moon on Feb. 4 to plan your view of March's total lunar eclipse
A February moon offers a practical preview of where to look for March's total lunar eclipse.
From Jupiter to Mercury: the brightest planets of February 2026
From dazzling Jupiter high in the evening sky to elusive Mercury low at sunset, February 2026 offers one of the year's best planetary lineups.
Groundhog Day isn't the halfway point of winter — the real one arrives tomorrow
Astronomical winter reaches its true midpoint on Feb. 3, as daylight gains begin to accelerate across the Northern Hemisphere.
Black Moon: What is it and why does it occur?
Reference A Black Moon is a rare occurrence. Here we explore what causes them and when the next one will happen.
Two cosmic dogs rule the winter sky — here's how to spot them this week
Learn how to spot Sirius, Procyon and their canine constellations, and discover the myths and science behind the dog stars.
Bundle up and look up: 5 winter sky wonders every stargazer should look out for
From Orion's glowing nebula to the sparkling Pleiades, these winter targets reward anyone willing to brave the cold.
What is a solar eclipse?
Reference A solar eclipse occurs when the moon positions itself between Earth and the sun, casting a shadow over Earth. We explore the type of solar eclipses here.
January belongs to Jupiter: See the king of planets in the night sky this month
Jupiter currently shines as a brilliant silvery "star" in the constellation Gemini the Twins, low in the east-northeast sky as dusk slowly fades. You really should catch the show.
