Earthsky Tonight— July 6, 2010: Earth farthest from sun for 2010 on July 6
Earth’s varying distance from the sun does not create the seasons. However, it does affect the length of the seasons.
Earthsky Tonight—July 5, 2010: Constellation named for a Polish king
toward the richest part of the Milky Way – you will find a very small constellation, called Scutum the Shield.
Earthsky Tonight—July 4, Draco the Dragon on July evenings
At nightfall tonight, the starlit Eyes of Draco the Dragon peer down upon you from almost overhead. Their names are Eltanin and Rastaban.
Earthsky Tonight—July 3: Moon and Jupiter again between midnight and dawn July 4
The darkness between midnight and dawn belongs to the last-quarter moon and Jupiter.
Earthsky Tonight—July 1: Big Dipper points to Polaris, helps find Thuban
As night deepens, and the fainter stars of the Little Dipper spring into view, those of you with dark-enough skies can expect to see a winding stream of stars between…
Earthsky Tonight—June 30:When is the next meteor shower?
In most years, the next best time to begin watching for summer meteors is in late July, when the Delta Aquarid meteor shower is rambling along steadily
Earthsky Tonight—June 29: Find the Libra stars between Antares and Spica
Before moonlight floods the nighttime at late night tonight, see if you can spot the constellation Libra’s two visible yet modestly bright stars: Zubenelgenubi and Zubeneschamali.
Earthsky Tonight—June 28:Look for daytime moon each morning this week
People love to see the daytime moon. They wonder about it, and ask about it. Once, a reader in Kansas City wrote in with the name ‘children’s moon’ to describe…
Earthsky Tonight—June 21: Solstice brings northernmost sunrises, sunsets
No world body has designated an official day to start each new season, and yet today is widely recognized as the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and beginning…
Earthsky Tonight—June 19 Waxing moon between Saturn and Spica
Spica is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo the Maiden. We have also indicated the whereabouts of the constellation Corvus the Crow on today’s chart.