Geoff Gaherty
Geoff Gaherty was Space.com's Night Sky columnist and in partnership with Starry Night software and a dedicated amateur astronomer who sought to share the wonders of the night sky with the world. Based in Canada, Geoff studied mathematics and physics at McGill University and earned a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Toronto, all while pursuing a passion for the night sky and serving as an astronomy communicator. He credited a partial solar eclipse observed in 1946 (at age 5) and his 1957 sighting of the Comet Arend-Roland as a teenager for sparking his interest in amateur astronomy. In 2008, Geoff won the Chant Medal from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, an award given to a Canadian amateur astronomer in recognition of their lifetime achievements. Sadly, Geoff passed away July 7, 2016 due to complications from a kidney transplant, but his legacy continues at Starry Night.
Latest articles by Geoff Gaherty
![Venus and Regulus, July 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eVREzLPdqtywZ8j7SQ9B3A-320-80.jpg)
See Jupiter, Venus and Mars: Planet Close Encounters in July's Sky
By Geoff Gaherty published
![The Moon and Spica in July 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/unHh5jAzyA5NnCjY4BHVdJ-320-80.jpg)
Moon Has Close Encounters with Planets, Star This Month: How to See It
By Geoff Gaherty published
In mid-July 2013, skywatchers will be able to observe the moon moving in relation to Spica and Saturn. Also, Mars and Jupiter appear to move together in the morning sky.
![Venus and Beehive Cluster, July 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pLhiu435oXjrR2ScCNVxdT-320-80.jpg)
See Venus Near Cosmic Beehive Tonight
By Geoff Gaherty published
Venus is shining low in the western evening sky. On Wednesday, July 3, Venus shines with the Beehive Cluster of stars. Here's how to see it.
![Scorpius, June 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6VxMKqbeaAnoDTjUMhfUYX-320-80.jpg)
Cosmic Scorpion: Scorpius Constellation Explained
By Geoff Gaherty published
The cosmic scorpion constellation Scorpius actually looks like its namesake, unlike many other constellations.
![Mercury Below Venus June 20 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MkPxUFyPwtFhtWe6HndcAZ-320-80.jpg)
See Mercury and Earth's Summer Solstice This Week
By Geoff Gaherty published
Mercury and the solstice make this a can't-miss week in skywatching.
![Saturn, Moon, and Spica on June 18, 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SSkLFkvWKZSo9L5hYEmwe9-320-80.jpg)
Trifecta of Celestial Wonders Shines in This Week's Night Sky
By Geoff Gaherty published
The moon, Saturn and the bright star Spica shine together.
![Mercury Sky Map, June 12, 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eGHvGDxyd2sXhHT3i7DzSV-320-80.jpg)
Spot Elusive Mercury in Evening Sky Now
By Geoff Gaherty published
Use brilliant Venus to point the way.
![Ophiuchus Sky Map Summer 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NV6kwnXYNR6w9GHZspGnNL-320-80.jpg)
Spotted! A Rarely Seen Constellation Shines This Summer
By Geoff Gaherty published
Ophiuchus, a rarely spotted constellation, makes an appearance in the summer sky.
![Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury on May 26, 2013, Sky Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Rb9hcv3HUXWWSqZwbv6BtV-320-80.jpg)
See Jupiter, Venus and Mercury Dance in Sunset Sky
By Geoff Gaherty published
Don't miss your chance to see three bright planets in the night sky.
![Mountains on the Northern Half of the Moon Sky Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h3ePTnV7ntuxhScsD5zrAV-320-80.jpg)
Best Time to See Moon Mountains in May Is Now
By Geoff Gaherty published
The mountains of the moon are visible for those that wish to see them this month.
!['Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse of May 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BnycEcvDVHvmR895PF3wAf-320-80.jpg)
This Week's 'Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse: What You Need to Know
By Geoff Gaherty published
Parts of Australia and the Pacific region will get a rare skywatching treat on Thursday and Friday.
![Constellations Between Saturn and Spica](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q2aGrgb6S6s3JeiHmR8ZXi-320-80.jpg)
See a Celestial Circus Below Saturn This Week
By Geoff Gaherty published
Bright constellations, galaxies and a globular cluster are on show in the night sky.
![Saturn will be at its brightest on Sunday, April 28, 2013.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pFttFgmRLjvUjoJxeexvz9-320-80.jpg)
See Saturn at Its Best In the Weekend Night Sky
By Geoff Gaherty published
Saturn will be at its best and brightest in the predawn sky on Sunday (April 28). Here's how to see Saturn at opposition.
![The Six Apollo Landing Sites](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3YvQs2UQmz6hX7corDmQN6-320-80.jpg)
How to See Where Astronauts Walked on the Moon
By Geoff Gaherty published
You can't see any footprints, but it's still neat to observe the six Apollo landing sites through a telescope.
![Jupiter Daylight April 2013 Sky Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FETbA7R4zxjGGiGKVX5non-320-80.jpg)
Weekend Plans? Try Spotting Jupiter in Daylight
By Geoff Gaherty published
Want to see Jupiter in daylight? Here's how:
![Position of Sun Aril 6, 2013 Chart](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zM2TBBtn34iWpZs7XszedV-320-80.jpg)
Spot 100 Deep-Sky Objects This Weekend in 'Messier Marathon'
By Geoff Gaherty published
You can see all but a few of the 110 Messier objects in a single night this weekend.
![March 2013 Galaxies Sky Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ANtKKAGXWLvf2deWsayggA-320-80.jpg)
Cosmic Easter Eggs: Start Your Spring Galaxy Hunt This Weekend
By Geoff Gaherty published
Spring is the season for hunting galaxies. Look eastward around 10 p.m. this weekend to explore 'the realm of the galaxies.'
![The vernal equinox, which marks the first day of the northern Spring season, occurs at 7:02 a.m. EDT on March 20, 2013.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xv8C7KyuNjUuKByD7q5siJ-320-80.jpg)
Vernal Equinox Marks First Day of Spring Today
By Geoff Gaherty published
The day and night are exactly the same length during today's equinox.
![Comet Pan-STARRS and the Moon Over Salem, Missouri](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fThJKguTfGYuZffbaP3Nxg-320-80.jpg)
See Jupiter and Moon Shine with Comet Pan-STARRS This Week
By Geoff Gaherty published
A close conjunction of the moon and Jupiter is sure to dazzle stargazers this week.
![Comet Pan-STARRS Over Tucson, Arizona](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e5XTyt74SyaZ67rjAwmGHF-320-80.jpg)
Comet Pan-STARRS or PANSTARRS: What's In a Celestial Name?
By Geoff Gaherty published
Is it PANSTARRS, PanSTARRS or Pan-STARRS?
![Comet Pan-STARRS C/2011 L4](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Bs9hXbdRBcL4dRDZpZWcjm-320-80.jpg)
Bright Comet Pan-STARRS in Night Sky: How to See It
By Geoff Gaherty published
Comet Pan-STARRS is currently the brightest comet in the night sky in recent years, but only the opening act for 2013.
![Gibbous Moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kayV4QuC63YjRXP5J39AnW-320-80.jpg)
Rare 'Zodiacal Light' Visible in Night Sky Soon
By Geoff Gaherty published
Made of interplanetary dust, the Zodiacal Light is a faint haze in the night sky.
![Gibbous Moon Skywatching Sights](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/z7ahvw87hJoUNAXQ7tHovS-320-80.jpg)
The Gibbous Moon: A Skywatching Guide
By Geoff Gaherty published
There's plenty to see now on Earth's nearest neighbor.
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