This Week In Astronomy

Challenge Object, NGC 2419, “The Intergalactic Wanderer” In the constellation Lynx, from a location with dark skies, try to find globular cluster NGC 2419.  NGC 2419 is a very distant cluster located approximately 300,000 light-years from the galactic center of the Milky Way, which is almost twice as far away as the Large Magellanic Cloud … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

New Moon, Dark Skies Take advantage of the dark skies provided by the New Moon on March 17th to scope out the many star clusters, galaxies and other deep-sky gems on display in March. Challenge Object, NGC 2419, “The Intergalactic Wanderer” In the constellation Lynx, from a location with dark skies using a good 4.5″ … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Brilliant Binocular Clusters Grab a pair of 50mm or larger astronomy binoculars in March for great views of the Pleiades star cluster (M45), the Beehive cluster (M44), and the must-see Double Cluster in Perseus. Galaxies Galore By about 9-10pm throughout March, Ursa Major, Leo, and the western edge of the Virgo galaxy cluster are high … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Moon & Jupiter Huddle Up Check out a pretty pairing of gas giant planet Jupiter and the Moon from approximately midnight March 6th into the early hours of March 7th. Depending on your location, the largest planet in the Solar System will appear as close as 4.1° from the waning gibbous Moon. Orion Continues to … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Challenge Object In the constellation Monoceros lies the 9th magnitude Hubble’s Variable Nebula (NGC 2261), named after the astronomer Edwin Hubble (yes, the same as the Hubble Telescope). As the name implies, it does vary in size and brightness since its glow is “powered” by a variable star buried within its nebulosity.

This Week In Astronomy

Bright Galaxies In late February, bright galaxies M81 & M82 will be about as high in the sky as they will get for North American stargazers. Many observers consider M81 & M82 the best pairing of visual galaxies in the sky!

This Week In Astronomy

Winter Star Clusters Look east of constellation Canis Major’s brightest star Sirius with a telescope to see two beautiful star clusters, M46 and M47 in the constellation Puppis. New Moon The New Moon of February 15th promises dark skies for a great, albeit chilly, opportunity to get clear views of the winter Milky Way and … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Great Binocular Cluster Get out your 50mm or larger astronomy binoculars for great views of the Pleiades star cluster (M45), which will be high in the northwestern sky during February. The Great Orion Nebula Throughout February, the constellation Orion will be in a great viewing position for backyard stargazers. Look below the three recognizable stars … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Total Lunar Eclipse – Super Blue Blood Moon Set To Wow West Coast January ends with a total lunar eclipse before sunrise on January 31st. For those on the west coast of the U.S., the Full/Blue Moon will become darkened by the Earth’s shadow, which is also known as the umbra. Stargazers in the right … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Total Lunar Eclipse January ends with a total lunar eclipse before sunrise on January 31st. The Full Moon will become darkened by the Earth’s shadow, which is also known as the umbra. Stargazers across most of northwestern North America can expect a special celestial treat as the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Hunting the Hunter Our favorite constellation Orion continues to be high in the night sky in January, providing backyard astronomers spectacular sights throughout the month. Take a closer look at the middle star of Orion’s sword with binoculars to reveal amazing views of the bright emission nebula M42. Just above Alnitak, the easternmost star of … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Hunting the Hunter Our favorite constellation Orion continues to be high in the night sky in January, providing backyard astronomers spectacular sights throughout the month. Take a closer look at the middle star of Orion’s sword with binoculars to reveal amazing views of the bright emission nebula M42.  

This Week In Astronomy

Triple Treat for Night Owls Set an alarm and prep the coffee pot to get up and outside in the very early hours of January 11th to see the Moon, Jupiter, and Mars appear very close together in the sky. Catch a glimpse of these three bright Solar System objects once they rise above the … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

December Challenge Try to track down the picturesque Horsehead Nebula near the eastern star of Orion’s belt, which is named Alnitak. Using an Orion H-Beta Nebula Filter will improve your chances of seeing this faint absorption nebula.

This Week In Astronomy

Best Telescope Targets All of the binocular targets listed above also make great telescope quarry, but December skies offer great opportunities to see objects that require a telescope too. First, slew your scope just a few degrees southwest of M31 to find M33, a distant face-on spiral galaxy that’s about 2.5 million light years (MLY) … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Star Party Time Take advantage of the dark skies provided by the New Moon on December 18th to plan a holiday stargazing party. Since the Moon’s bright glare won’t be an issue, this will be the best night of the month to chase after views of fainter objects like galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters.   … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Geminids Meteors Grab a blanket and get outside around midnight on December 13th-14th to see meteors streak across the sky during the peak of the Geminids shower. The Geminids normally produces up to 100-120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak, so it’s worth braving the cold to catch this impressive celestial lightshow. This year, … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Catch a Dying Star High in the western skies of November, early in the evening, the constellation Cygnus is still prominently visible and topped off by the bright star Deneb at the top of the “Northern Cross.” Use a star chart to track down the Veil Nebula on the eastern side of Cygnus near the … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Best Galaxy – M31, The Andromeda Galaxy In early November, the Andromeda Galaxy will be just north of the constellation Andromeda and positioned high in the eastern sky for great views. Best Star Cluster – M45, the Pleiades November is sometimes called “the month of the Pleiades,” since the famous open star cluster is visible … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

A Grand Galaxy Located in the tiny constellation of Triangulum and just opposite the star Beta Andromeda is the splendid galaxy M33.  M33 has very low surface brightness, so look when the Moon is down and from the darkest sky site you can find! A Challenging Nebula Making a small equilateral triangle with the stars … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Don’t Miss the Double Cluster If you enjoyed observing M52, you’ll love the popular favorite “Double Cluster in Perseus.” Lying between constellations Cassiopeia and Perseus is a bright, fuzzy spot in the Milky Way. In early September the “Double Cluster” appears low in northeastern skies around 9 PM, but it becomes a real showpiece later … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Dip into the Whirlpool If you haven’t tracked down “The Whirlpool Galaxy,” M51, just off the handle of the easily recognizable Big Dipper asterism, do it now while you still can! It will be too low for most to get a good view after September and you’ll need to wait until late winter or next … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

The Northern Milky Way Early in the month, around 9 PM, the “Summer Triangle” of three bright stars Vega, Deneb and Altair will be nearly overhead. In the northernmost portion of the Summer Triangle, you’ll see a bright portion of the northern Milky Way. Planetary Nebulas in the Summer Triangle Use a star chart and … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

August’s Challenge Object Our challenge this month is a surprisingly easy object to see with a telescope, but not so easy with binoculars. Look for M27, the Dumbbell Nebula in the constellation of Vulpecula, just south of Cygnus. M27 is one of the nearest and brightest planetary nebulas visible from Earth.

This Week In Astronomy

Watch the short video above to learn more about this year’s extremely rare event! The total solar eclipse that will be happening on August 21st, 2017. Safety is always first! Especially when it comes to viewing the total solar eclipse that will be happening on August 21st, 2017.

Total Solar Eclipse | August 21st, 2017 | David Rives

UPDATE: The Great America Eclipse 2017 total eclipse was spectacular! Here are a few shots that I was able to get with our ministry telescopes in Eastern Oregon:   Watch the short video below to learn more about this year’s extremely rare event! The total solar eclipse that will be happening on August 21st, 2017. … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

The peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower is coming this week! The Perseids are perhaps the most popular meteor shower of the year. Typical rates are about 80 meteors an hour, but in outburst years (such as in 2016) the rate can be between 150-200 meteors an hour. In 2017, the Perseids will be a … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

The Summer Milky Way From a dark sky location in mid-July, the glorious Summer Milky Way shines as a band of light that stretches from the southern horizon to nearly overhead. As the night progresses, the Milky Way will arch across the entire sky. Dying Stars and Glowing Gas Look to the constellation Lyra with … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Saturn Sticks Around After reaching opposition in mid-June, Saturn continues to be well-positioned in the night skies of July. By around 10pm, look for the ringed planet high above the southern horizon just south of constellation Ophiuchus. July Nebulas In Sagittarius, track down M8, the “Lagoon Nebula”; M20, the “Trifid Nebula”; and M17, the “Swan … Read More

This Week In Astronomy

Last Call for Jupiter Enjoy telescopic views of Jupiter before the gas giant planet sinks below the horizon in early August. Throughout the month, look for the bright planet before midnight in the constellation Virgo. On the night of July 28th, Jupiter and the waxing crescent Moon will make a pretty pair as they appear … Read More