Night Sky Network Articles
Astronomy clubs bringing the wonders of the universe to the public
Astrophotography With Your Smartphone
Have you ever wanted to take nighttime photos like you’ve seen online, with the Milky Way stretched across the sky, a blood-red Moon during a total eclipse, or a colorful nebula? Many astrophotos take hours, expensive equipment, and travel, which…
November’s Night Sky Notes: Snowballs from Space
by Kat Troche of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific If you spotted comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) in person, or seen photos online this October, you might have been inspired to learn more about these visitors from the outer Solar…
Night Lights: Aurora, Noctilucent Clouds, and the Zodiacal Light
Have you spotted any “night lights”? These phenomena brighten dark skies with celestial light ranging from mild to dazzling: the subtle light pyramid of the zodiacal light, the eerie twilight glow of noctilucent clouds, and most famous of all, the wildly unpredictable…
October’s Night Sky Notes: Catch Andromeda Rising!
If you’re thinking of a galaxy, the image in your head is probably the Andromeda Galaxy! Read more about our closest galactic neighbor.
Turn Supermoon Hype into Lunar Learning
Supermoons get lots of publicity from the media, but is there anything to them beyond the hype? If the term “supermoon” bothers you because it’s not an official astronomical term, don’t throw up your hands. You can turn supermoon lemons…
September’s Night Sky Notes: Marvelous Moons
by Kat Troche of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific September brings the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn back into view, along with their satellites. And while we organize celebrations to observe our own Moon this month, be sure to…
The Summer Triangle’s Hidden Treasures
With the Summer Triangle high in the sky, it's a great time to lie back, relax, and explore some of its hidden treasures: the small constellations of Vulpecula, Sagitta, and Delphinus!
August’s Night Sky Notes: Seeing Double
Your eyes aren't playing tricks on you - you're seeing double stars through that telescope! Learn about which double stars to spot this summer with August's Night Sky Notes!
Prepare for Perseids!
The annual Perseid meteor shower is scheduled to peak this August 11-12. Cross your fingers for good weather, find a nice dark spot to bring a blanket or lounge chair, and get ready to relax and spot some meteors.
July’s Night Sky Notes: A Hero, a Crown, and Possibly a Nova!
Look to the skies all summer long for a Hero and a Crown - and a potential recurring nova.