Earthsky Tonight—March 11: Mars stationary in front of stars
Almanacs say the planet Mars is “stationary” today. However, stationary doesn’t mean that Mars stays in the same place in Earth’s sky all night tonight. Mars actually shines in the…
Earthsky Tonight—March 10: Is Sirius the most luminous star in the sky?
Look south at nightfall and early evening, and you can’t miss Sirius, the brightest star in the nighttime sky. Mia asks, “Isn’t there a brighter star in absolute magnitude which…
Earthsky Tonight—March 9: Ancient eye test relied on two stars in Big Dipper
The ancient eye test for those wishing to join the Roman army was administered using stars in the handle of our modern-day Big Dipper. If you passed, you got a…
Earthsky Tonight — March 8, 2010: The Summer Triangle, a signpost for all seasons
As seen from our northern temperate latitudes, the three brilliant stars of the Summer Triangle – Vega, Deneb and Altair – are out for at least part of the night…
Earthsky Tonight — March 7, 2010: Predawn moon points out Scorpion’s Stinger
On the morning of March 8 (Monday), the rather wide waning crescent moon helps you to locate the two stars in the tail of the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. These…
Earthsky Tonight — March 5, 2010: Star Arcturus is a harbinger of spring
The gloriously bright star Arcturus rises into your east northeastern sky around 9 p.m. tonight. This yellow-orange beauty – like any brilliant star – sparkles wildly when it hovers near…
Earthsky Tonight — March 4, 2010: Recognize the Big Dipper … and Little Dipper
How can I locate both Ursa Minor and Ursa Major? I am seeing one of them in the sky . . . but cannot tell which one and where the…
Earthsky Tonight — March 3, 2010: Use the Big Dipper to locate Polaris
At one time, sailors’ livelihoods and survival depended on their lucky stars – most especially, the pointer stars of the Big Dipper. Drawing a line through the two outer stars…
Earthsky Tonight — March 2, 2010: Moon still near Saturn, closer to Spica on March 2
Last night, the moon was close to the planet Saturn on the sky’s dome. Tonight, the moon will pair up with Spica, the constellation Virgo’s brightest star.
Berthoud Meteorite: 5 Years of State’s 5th Fall
By Suzanne Metlay Secure World Foundation A whistling noise and a thump … and then a discovery that would change their lives, a rock from another world landed in their…