Constellations

Summer?

Around here, meteorologically at least, spring has been sort of hard to get a grip on. We've gone from weeks of rain (very spring-y), to cold dreary late-winter holdouts interspersed with days of mid-summer 90-degree temps and high humidity. It's been a confusing time -- and so it's hard to really get a grip on…Read more Summer?

Jupiter is Back (Astronomy: Week of 5/6/18)

A lot has happened in the two weeks I've gone silent... spring has sprung, the evening peepers have given way to Chuck-Will's-Widows and both screech and barred owl calls. Trees have leafed out (and flowered, as copious pollen can attest), and I've watched redbuds, dogwoods, wisteria, and locust trees bloom. In the meantime, I've been…Read more Jupiter is Back (Astronomy: Week of 5/6/18)

Spring Clusters (Astronomy: Week of 4/8/18)

There are a few positive things to be said about the weather still acting like winter in the Mid-Atlantic - tree pollen hasn't been bad yet, I have so far avoided to mow the lawn, and the skies are still free of humidity and good for star-gazing. Tonight, it actually felt sort-of comfortable to be…Read more Spring Clusters (Astronomy: Week of 4/8/18)

The Spring Star, and…Death From Above! (Astronomy: Week of 3/25/18)

Made you look! That title echoes a lot of what I've seen in more popular media this week, and maybe it worked and got your attention... but the truth is, you're PROBABLY not going to die because of a falling space station this week. As I wrote a couple months ago (happily, because it gave…Read more The Spring Star, and…Death From Above! (Astronomy: Week of 3/25/18)

Lions, Planets and Bears (Astronomy: Week of 2/25/18)

I stumbled across an innocuous piece of information this time last year - I don't know if it's an apocryphal source for a more common saying? A coincidence? But it's cool... However, hold that thought, I'll get to it. First, interesting things THIS WEEK: 1) As I mentioned, Venus is making its way back into…Read more Lions, Planets and Bears (Astronomy: Week of 2/25/18)

International Space Station

The International Space Station cruises by Orion in this 20-second exposure, Jan 25, 2018. On board (and in this picture): Anton Shkaplerov (Russia), Commander; Mark Vande Hei (USA); Joseph Acaba (USA); Alexander Misurkin (Russia); Scott Tingle (USA); Norishige Kanai (Japan)

Astronomy Videos

Hey all. As I mentioned recently, I've been having fun with YouTube, just about as much as I have writing here. I recently had one of my YouTube buds ask about astronomy, and when I mentioned I write about it occasionally, he encouraged me to try to incorporate a YouTube adaptation... I was skeptical, but…Read more Astronomy Videos

Conjunction Junction (Astronomy: Week of 1/7/18)

Whew! Compared to last week, this week is pretty quiet, so I'm going to keep this one short... Our wintry nights are still long, here in the midst of "Deep Winter" (more on my 8-season outdoor calendar to come, later...), and I, like almost a third of the US, am REALLY cold. But those long…Read more Conjunction Junction (Astronomy: Week of 1/7/18)

Winter Sky (Astronomy: Week of 12/24/17)

Last year this time, I was sitting on my in-laws' couch trying to figure out how I was going to bring Flying Squirrel Outdoors to life. Though I officially didn't kick it off til Jan 1, it's hard not to think about where I've been this past year, ups and downs... And interestingly enough, part…Read more Winter Sky (Astronomy: Week of 12/24/17)

Beyond the Equinox, Beyond the Sea (Astronomy: Week of 9/24/17)

Well, we did it. We successfully had another Autumnal Equinox, changed seasons and entered fall. And at least as of sunset on the 23rd, the world hasn't ended, despite predictions to the contrary! It's still above 80 deg-F outside, and I'm still mowing my lawn - but astronomically, the nights are now longer than the…Read more Beyond the Equinox, Beyond the Sea (Astronomy: Week of 9/24/17)