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Tag: stargazing

  • Look up for the supermoon and Jupiter

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    Today’s clouds have cleared revealing the full moon, the final of four supermoons beginning in October,  We won’t see another supermoon until November.

    Full wolf supermoon around 9:30 pm

    January’s full Moon is also known as the Wolf Moon, a name popularized by The Old Farmer’s Almanac.  The name comes stories passed down through generations of Algonquin people of the howls of wolves heard during the long, cold, midwinter nights.

    The bright object to the right of the Moon is Jupiter. A small telescope or a steady pair of binoculars can bring Jupiter’s brightest moons into view. To the left are Castor and Pollux, the brightest stars in the constellation Gemini. Together, they form a noticeable L shape in the January sky.

    Jupiter will remain visible near Castor and Pollux throughout the month.

    Happy Perihelion!

    Today, Earth reached perihelion, the point in its orbit when it is closest to the Sun. Even though the weather may feel cold and rainy, Earth is actually closer to the Sun today than at any other time of the year.

    Earth will slowly move farther from the Sun over the next several months. By early July, it will be about 3 million miles farther away than it is now. While that distance sounds large, it represents only about a 3 percent change in Earth’s distance from the Sun.

    The seasons are driven by Earth’s 23.5 degree axial tilt. During the winter months, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun. This spreads the Sun’s energy over a larger area, which leads to cooler temperatures.

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  • Meteor shower, super moon, lunar eclipse; Colorado’s winter night skies will blow you away

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    Colorado winters in the mountains are beautiful, but not every view can be seen during the day. There are times at night when the full moon illuminates a surreal snowscape, creating beautiful shapes and shadows, even revealing dramatic snow-covered mountains miles away.

    And sometimes, on moonless nights when the sky is especially dark and the air is crystal clear — as is often the case on a cold winter night — the Milky Way can be admired in all its glory.

    DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 05: Super moon with a little cloud cover and the Elitches Observation Tower in the foreground photographed west of Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Wednesday, November 05, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)

    “If you can get away from bright city lights and light pollution, the Milky Way always looks cool, no matter where you are – desert, mountains, wherever,” said Ron Hranac, a past president of the Denver Astronomical Society. “There are people who live in major metropolitan areas who have never seen the Milky Way. They have no idea what it is.

    “I hear that and it makes me sad,” Hranac added, “because they’re missing out on so much.”

    Winter can be a great time to look up and admire the heavens, and this one will be no exception. The night of Dec. 4-5 will mark the brightest super moon of 2025, as it is the full moon closest to earth this year. The Geminids meteor shower, which a NASA astronomy educational site calls one of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year, peaks Dec. 13-14.

    Colorado will also see a total lunar eclipse in the western sky on March 3, 2026, from 4:04 a.m. to 5:02 a.m., well before the sunrise at 6:29 a.m.

    Moonlight ski touring and snowshoeing in Colorado is a transcendent experience. Boreas Pass, which is near Breckenridge, and Vail Pass are excellent options because the ascents are moderate and the trail is actually a dirt road for motor vehicles in the summer, making it plenty wide for touring in low light. And remember, your eyes will adjust to the dark. You may be shocked by how much you can see, and how far.

    The Milky Way is visible in the summer, too. But the night sky in the mountains can be especially clear on really cold winter nights because cold air can’t contain as much moisture as warmer air.

    There are exceptions, though.

    “The downside of being in the mountains of Colorado at a higher elevation is, the air stability is not always that great,” Hranac said. “We often get the jet stream going overhead or nearby, and that can mess up (atmospheric) stability.”

    Saturn will be visible for the next few months, Hranac said, appearing in the southeast sky early in the evening. It will look like a moderately bright star to the naked eye, but its rings will be visible through telescopes.

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    John Meyer

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  • What to get the stargazer in your life for the holidays in 2025 – WTOP News

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    This year’s WTOP “Gift Ideas for Stargazers,” coincides with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, to possibly help get the best deals for that special someone on your holiday gift list that loves the stars.

    For my annual WTOP “Gift Ideas for Stargazers,” I thought I would get this year’s suggestions out to coincide with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, to possibly help get the best deals for that special someone on your holiday gift list that loves the stars.

    Internet shopping and quick shipping can get that star-minded someone their gift fairly quickly with very little hassle — even if that someone is yourself.

    Monthly magazine subscription

    As a first step for someone new to astronomy, I recommend getting them a magazine subscription to either (or both)  Astronomy or Sky and Telescope. An added bonus is that when the magazine arrives each month it will be a reminder of you to that special stargazer. Astronomy and Sky and Telescope also provide a digital version bundled with the print subscription, which comes in handy.

    These monthly magazines and their respective websites are chockfull of observing advice, astronomical equipment, pictures, book reviews, astronomy related ads, news and even monthly observing guides/star charts.

    For full disclosure I am an Sky and Telescope subscriber and have been my whole life; I have also done major feature articles for them and twice have been a total solar eclipse cruise Sky and Telescope staff member. The publication is owned by the American Astronomical Society.

    Smartphone planetarium app

    Here’s another gift item that will keep you on the user’s mind, perhaps every single day — a smartphone planetarium app. This is an app that your smartphone can use to display the sky in a specified location and date or time.

    Some apps even have a feature that allows your smartphone to follow your motion in the sky to identify the area you are looking at. Go to your smartphone app supplier to find space/astronomy apps and read the reviews. I use my Sky Safari Pro App for my iPhone constantly.

    Astronomical calendar

    This is a nifty gift idea that provides your stargazer astronomical information on a daily basis, accompanied by a beautiful and informative astronomical image. These can be used at work or at home. I recommend this one by Astronomy featuring “mysteries of deep space” or an options offered by Amazon. Oh, and when you are on these two websites, shop around for other nifty gifts they have.

    For the best daily coverage of the sky and the Universe as a whole for 2026, my “gold standard” for decades has been the annual Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Observer’s Handbook. Do an internet search on the title to find the best deal, as it is offered by many vendors.

    Books

    There is a literary universe of astronomy and space-related books out there. You’re likely familiar with Amazon and Barnes & Noble, who offer a wide selection of choices, but you could also try BookShop to support smaller local booksellers.

    If you know what piques your stargazer’s interest, you can try and buy a book. But I recommend giving them a gift card they can use to buy a book of their choice. You may want to browse these websites in advance to make sure the gift card has a sufficient value to cover these usually expensive books. This has been a tried and true present to me from family members for decades.

    Meteorite

    For a truly out of this world gift you can buy an actual space rock (or more realistically, a piece of one) from the asteroid belt, the moon or even Mars. I have been a meteorite collector for many years. Truth be told, your avid stargazer is probably frustrated at times with our cloudy weather. Nothing cures this frustration better than holding a piece of the solar system and contemplating where it came from and how it got to Earth.

    When buying these amazing 4.5 billion-year-old rocks from space, you need to know your dealer. New England Meteoritical Services has what I consider to be the best and most reasonably priced presentation sets for purchase, which you can see when you scroll down their webpage. I have personally dealt with them and I highly recommend them. Beware buying in the blind!

    Legos

    Yes, LEGOS with wonderful space-themed kits. For kids who love “Star Wars” this is a great kit. And here is the LEGOS website for space themed kits suitable for all ages. Oh, and I mean “all ages.” Santa (me) is getting me a very impressive Legos Artemis kit.

    Movies

    A great holiday sock stuffer is a space themed movie. “The Star Wars” and “Star Trek” movies (new and old), “Gravity,” “Europa Report,” “Cosmos the Series” (original or new versions), “The Martian,” “Interstellar,” or any of the space-themed offerings from National Geographic, Science Channel, Discovery Channel or the History Channel are excellent.

    Binoculars

    If you have a budding stargazer that wants to see more of the sky than just the eye allows, quality binoculars are the ticket. A whole new view of the sky becomes possible — and as an added bonus, they can be used in daytime for bird watching and sporting events.

    A good pair of binoculars will show impressive detail on the moon, a few galaxies, star clusters and nebulae (you need to know where to look) as well as (if you hold them steady enough) the four major moons of Jupiter. Star colors are richer in binoculars and very pretty to look at.

    I recommend “7×50” binoculars — the 7 refers to the magnification while the 50 is the size of each objective lens in millimeters. This is a good compromise between magnification, light-gathering ability and field of view. Less magnification means less detail but a wider field of view; more magnification reduces field of view while giving more detail. I would not go higher than an 8 in magnification or lower than 50 in objective size for a beginner. There are larger astronomical binoculars out there, but they are best for advanced users.

    You can buy binoculars at sporting goods stores and all of the major chains like Costco, Walmart and Amazon. And there may be some good prices out there this weekend.

    Telescope

    This is the riskiest gift idea on my list. There is nothing quite like getting that first telescope and experiencing “first light” — the first view of the universe through it. But it is risky, because telescopes are an investment, in money and in longevity. There is nothing worse than buying a ‘scope that never gets used because it is too complicated, too heavy or of poor quality — they inevitably collect dust from disuse.

    With the right purchase, there is no reason why a quality telescope will not last a person’s entire lifetime, or at least a good portion of it. Many nights of enjoyment and discovery at the eyepiece or your computer/smartphone/tablet, of a good telescope are pure joy to your stargazer. If this is a family member or significant other, you might even do your telescope observing together.

    There are many telescopes out there and to pick just the right one for your stargazer is a real shot in the dark, so to speak, unless you have insider information. If your astronomer has spent time studying telescopes and selecting a “final one” and letting you know it — go for it. Otherwise, make sure there is a return policy that allows you to get your money back if things don’t work out.

    My recommendation for first telescopes is this: Put together a gift package or card that says you will bankroll the purchase of a new telescope (I recommend setting a price limit as telescopes can cost thousands of dollars) after a selection process has determined the best telescope to buy.

    Here are some online sources you can look over to help you in your selection. Sky & Telescope and Astronomy magazines have sections on how to select a telescope and there are books on the subject as well.

    Going to a local astronomy club or attending a star party can also provide an opportunity to “test drive” different types of telescopes. We have some great resources in the D.C. region to do just this — refer to the Astronomical League list for your area.

    Telescope technology has progressed to a point where we now have smart telescopes compatible with apps on your smartphone and tablet. These are amazing telescopes that literally do everything for you except physically setting them up and turning them on. They are expensive but they incorporate all you need to take astro-photographs with a click.

    I use and own two Unistellar smart telescopes — the auto-focusing Odyssey Pro and the EVSCOPE 2 — as well as a ZWO Seestar S50 — and I love them. I observed and photographed more sky objects in the first few months using them than I did using other telescopes in 50-plus years previously. I was able to find and photograph quasars billions of light years away (!!!), along with James Webb Space Telescope, Artemis I, comets, planets, deep-sky objects and the sun with a safe solar filter. All with astounding ease and results.

    Full disclosure: I am a Global Ambassador for Unistellar, but it is a nonpay position and I am not beholden to the company as a sales representative. I have been involved in beta-testing Unistellar telescopes and associated technology/software upgrades. I am telling you like it is, for me and 25,00-plus other worldwide Unistellar users.

    To complement my Unistellar telescopes, I purchased the much smaller Seestar S50 for its small size (portable for cruise ship trips), larger coverage of the sky and use as a daytime ultra-telephoto lens.

    The parent company, ZWO, has come out with a new Seestar S30, which is even smaller and costs less than the S50.

    These are excellent smart telescopes for stargazers starting out.

    Get online and check out the myriad stargazer specials that are out there.

    I hope this has helped you for your out-of-this-world holiday shopping. Drop me an email if you have any questions.

    Happy Holidays and clear skies.

    Follow Greg Redfern on his daily blog to keep up with the latest news in astronomy and space exploration.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Greg Redfern

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  • You Need to See This Bright New Comet Shine in the Night Sky This Month Before It Disappears for 1,000 Years

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    This year is a boom time for comets. Not only did we have the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS gracing our skies (and Mars’) earlier this year, but now we have another brand new comet to look out for.

    Expected to be at its brightest on October 21, this month you might have the chance to spot the comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) blazing across the night sky—no telescope or binoculars required.

    Lemmon was first discovered in January this year by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona. As amateur astronomers may be aware, several comets will pass the detection range of binoculars or telescopes in any given year. But it’s rare that a comet will shine bright enough to be spotted with the naked eye. October 21 also happens to be a date of the new moon, meaning the sky will be otherwise dark and primed for the comet to zip by.

    “This comet is developing very nicely and it is already an impressive object, well-placed for observation in the morning sky,” Nick James of the British Astronomical Association told Spaceweather.com. “It is definitely worth getting up for!”

    The anatomy of a comet

    Comets, simply put, are “cosmic snowballs,” orbs of icy material that orbit the Sun. Predicting their appearance and trajectory is no easy task, but Lemmon’s unusually bright, active tail has allowed both professional and casual observers to characterize its likely path through the solar system.

    At its closest approach to Earth, Lemmon will be about 56 million miles (90 million kilometers) away. Lemmon’s current orbital period is approximately 1,350 years, which will be reduced to about 1,150 years after passing by the Sun’s gravitational field in November. That is, if you miss the comet this year, you’ll have to wait until at least 3175 to see it again.

    How to spot Lemmon

    As of now, Lemmon is visible only in the morning, although the comet’s trajectory will progressively allow observers to spot it in the evenings. Last month, it passed by the Gemini constellation, traveling through the skies until it entered Ursa Major earlier this month.

    Again, comet luminosity can be touch-and-go, so it may well grow dimmer than expected. But astronomers are reasonably confident about their current predictions. “

    So far, the comet has performed very well and there is no reason not to believe that it will continue to delight Northern Hemisphere observers for a few more weeks,” according to Space.com.

    “I think we can now be reasonably confident that this will be a very nice evening object when it is at its brightest around New Moon in late October,” James said.

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    Gayoung Lee

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  • Upcoming Fountain Hills dark sky observatory plans to show us the stars

    Upcoming Fountain Hills dark sky observatory plans to show us the stars

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    “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away” starts the famous scroll from the movie “Star Wars.” It’s a renowned sci-fi movie line, but it also suggests the fascination humankind has with the stories the universe holds. Soon, Arizona will be a place where some real celestial mysteries will be explored and documented for future generations…

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    Timothy Rawles

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  • There is a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event coming up in March

    There is a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event coming up in March

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    There is a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event coming up in March

    Don’t miss the chance to see the ‘Devil Comet’ with your own eyes

    Stargazing is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in nature and it can be even better when there is an astronomical event to look out for – and there is one that only happens every 71.2 years coming up. The comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the ‘Devil Comet’, is expected to be visible to the naked eye in dark skies at the end of March, as long as there are clear conditions. It will be closer to Earth in June but by then the lighter evenings will mean it can’t be seen in the northern hemisphere, so it is best to look out for it here in the coming weeks. It is a cryovolcanic comet – an ice volcano – and can erupt, making it seem brighter in the sky. In July 2023, there was an eruption causing it to become not only 100 times brighter but also change shape so that it appeared to have horns, hence the “Devil” moniker.The comet’s official name is due to the men who discovered it: 12P/Pons-Brooks was first identified in 1812 by Jean Louis Pons in France. It was later “rediscovered” in America by William R. Brooks and confirmed by astronomers as being the same one. According to astronomy.com, a 2020 paper in Research Notes of the AAS estimated that its nucleus measures around 10.5 miles across, a similar size to Halley’s comet. Despite the size, to spot it, you may need the help of a star chart or an app such as Stellarium. “The comet moves from the constellation of Andromeda to Pisces,” astrophysicist Dr. Paul Strøm from the University of Warwick told Metro.co.uk. “As it does so it passes by bright stars, which will make it easier to spot on certain dates. In particular, on March 31st, 12P/Pons–Brooks will be only 0.5 a degree from the bright star called Hamal.”Locating Hamal and going from there to find the comet may help. It also sometimes appears to give off a green sheen, which could aid identification. However, if you have a pair of good binoculars or a telescope, you may be able to see 12P/Pons-Brooks now.Happy skywatching!

    Stargazing is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in nature and it can be even better when there is an astronomical event to look out for – and there is one that only happens every 71.2 years coming up.

    The comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the ‘Devil Comet’, is expected to be visible to the naked eye in dark skies at the end of March, as long as there are clear conditions.

    It will be closer to Earth in June but by then the lighter evenings will mean it can’t be seen in the northern hemisphere, so it is best to look out for it here in the coming weeks.

    It is a cryovolcanic comet – an ice volcano – and can erupt, making it seem brighter in the sky. In July 2023, there was an eruption causing it to become not only 100 times brighter but also change shape so that it appeared to have horns, hence the “Devil” moniker.

    The comet’s official name is due to the men who discovered it: 12P/Pons-Brooks was first identified in 1812 by Jean Louis Pons in France. It was later “rediscovered” in America by William R. Brooks and confirmed by astronomers as being the same one.

    this sycamore tree is included within the six miles of hadrians wall this roman wall runs through the wild landscape of northern britain seen here with the famous c2020 f3 neowise comet, taken in july 2020 northumberland uk

    Getty Imagesjohn finney photography

    According to astronomy.com, a 2020 paper in Research Notes of the AAS estimated that its nucleus measures around 10.5 miles across, a similar size to Halley’s comet. Despite the size, to spot it, you may need the help of a star chart or an app such as Stellarium.

    “The comet moves from the constellation of Andromeda to Pisces,” astrophysicist Dr. Paul Strøm from the University of Warwick told Metro.co.uk. “As it does so it passes by bright stars, which will make it easier to spot on certain dates. In particular, on March 31st, 12P/Pons–Brooks will be only 0.5 a degree from the bright star called Hamal.”

    Locating Hamal and going from there to find the comet may help. It also sometimes appears to give off a green sheen, which could aid identification.

    However, if you have a pair of good binoculars or a telescope, you may be able to see 12P/Pons-Brooks now.

    Happy skywatching!

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