April 8, 2021: In the evening sky, Mars approaches the Bull’s horns in the western sky after sunset. The planet is now higher than Betelgeuse, Orion’s second brightest star.
Planetariums
Observing the Sky in July 2011
NASA Photo This month: There is a partial solar eclipse visible only from the ocean south-east of Africa. It is not visible from anywhere in North America. Moon Phases New 7/1 & 7/30 First Quarter 7/8 Full 7/15 Last 7/23 July… Read More ›
Moon and Planets, May 2011
Moon Phases NASA Photo The charts above show the planets on May 1 and May 2 at around 5:20 a.m. CDT in Chicago. On May 1, a thin crescent moon appears to the left of Venus. With binoculars or telescope locate… Read More ›
Moon and Planets, April 2011
Podcast above is from Abrams Planetarium. April 2011 brings more daylight hours. On April 1st, the sun is in the sky for about 12 hours, 45 minutes in the northern part of the United States. By April 30, the daylight… Read More ›
Moon and Planets, March 2011
Look in the west for Jupiter, Mercury and the moon in the evenings during early March. The podcast player shown above for the month of March 2011 is from Abrams Planetarium. March is a month of rapid change. Weather… Read More ›
February Morning Sky
Venus and Moon on February 28, 2011 Venus continues to dominate the early morning sky. While fading in brightness as it races behind the sun and into the evening sky later in the year, it is the brightest starlike object… Read More ›
Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse
A spectacular lunar eclipse is visible across the skies of North America, just hours before the winter solstice, on the night of December 20/21, 2010. A lunar eclipse is visible when the moon, at the full phase, moves into the Earth’s shadow. Occurring… Read More ›
Exciting Planetary Grouping
August 13, 2010 — Look west at 9 p.m. for the moon and a planetary grouping. A summer grouping of bright planets is visible in the western sky during the early evening hours of August 2010. Venus, Mars and Saturn… Read More ›
Request for Help
The planetarium community has a history of generosity to colleagues. This involves offering advice and material goods, even when many of the donating organizations operate on meager budgets. I have never seen a cadre pull together like this group of professionals. An… Read More ›