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This Week's Amazing Sky

Betelgeuse Star

All About the REAL Betelgeuse, the Strangest Star

You may have heard about the new Beetlejuice movie. It’s just in time for the seasonal return of the star for which it’s named—Betelgeuse! This monstrous, ultrabright star marks the shoulder of the well-known Orion the Hunter, so you can easily spot it! Plus, it’s one of the weirdest stars in the sky—one that caused a scare recently. Let’s dig into the strange!What is Betelgeuse, the …

What Makes the Hunter's Moon Special?

This year, the full Hunter’s Moon rises on Thursday, October 17, 2024! This is one of the two full Moons that enjoy an official astronomical name. So, will it be bigger, brighter, and redder? Here’s all you need to know!What Is the Hunter’s Moon?People like objects to have names. While the full Moon is always recognizable—and indeed the only phase that’s out all…
Saturn and its rings

A Perfect Time to See Saturn

On Sunday, September 8, Saturn comes into opposition, making for some of the best viewing! Surrounded by the dim stars of Aquarius, the planet’s rings can be seen almost edgewise this year!Saturn will be visible all night in September 2024, rising in the east shortly after sunset. It will reach its closest point to Earth on September 8, offering the best viewing conditions. After that,…
Rocket Flying to Mars

How Long Does It Take to Get to Mars? Days, Months, or Years?

Many of us are fascinated with the idea of traveling to other worlds, especially Mars. The truth is that the solar system is constructed to give us only Mars as a suitable planet. Let’s explore how long it would take to journey to Mars and other fun space travel facts.Traveling to MarsExploring is in our nature. Even in early childhood, we all had the itch to discover. We explored the…

Welcome to the Twilight Zone! What Exactly is Twilight? And When is It?

Twilight. The word evokes gorgeous colors. But what exactly is twilight? We’ll explain the three stages of twilight, plus you can check your own twilight times with the Almanac’s calculator. Get ready for adventures in the Twilight Zone.That famous TV show would not have been a hit on Pluto. In fact, creatures on any known planet would be amazed by the unique twilight we Earthlings take for…
Boomerang Nebula

What is the Coldest Place In the Universe? And Other Cool Facts

We’ve all heard that space is brutally cold, which seems perfectly logical. After all, it’s cooler and cooler the higher up you live. However, there is no temperature in space. So, where is the coldest place in the universe? The answer reveals some very “cool” facts that will surprise you.For each thousand-foot rise in elevation, the average temperature is 5½°F cooler, an effect called the…
Man laying on a windowsill, looking out into the night sky and a darkened forest

Do We All See the Same Part of the Moon?

Since I’m on vacation, I’m reminded each evening about how different the sky looks when you travel. Take Boston to Hawaii. Yes, the Moon will appear differently. Got friends and family in different locations? Planning travel? Let’s explore whether we all see the Moon and Sun in the same way.Actually, changing your longitude, your east-west location, alters nothing. It’s going south or north…

What Is a New Moon? When Is the Next New Moon?

It’s a new Moon! For astronomers, a new Moon means no Moon to see. For many cultures, however, the new Moon carries special meaning. What does a new Moon look like, and what does it mean? Let’s explore, fellow Moon lovers …What Is a New Moon?A new Moon is essentially the opposite of a full Moon. During a full Moon, we see the side of the Moon that is illuminated by the Sun, giving…
Telescope on Beach

How Telescopes Have Gotten Smarter: Like a Hubble in My Backyard!

Thinking about a telescope? Just like the many advancements in digital technology, such as better mobile phones, telescopes have become “smart.” Renowned astronomer Bob Berman says it’s hard to ignore that the quality of backyard-level telescopes has changed big-time in the past few years. It’s like having a Hubble in your backyard!It used to be an easy issue. Anyone could derive endless…
Giant asteroid is approaching the earth.

Asteroids Near Earth? Open The Window First

Have you seen reports about “killer asteroids flying by Earth”? Naturally, many are concerned that Earth may not always be so lucky. Should we be worried? Bob Berman, astronomer for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, explains all in his usual straightforward way.First things first. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve seen reports of an asteroid heading near Earth, one passing much closer than even the…
Nova explosion depiction

Nova Explosion 2024: A New Star Will Appear Soon!

Alert! The new star we’ve been talking about is about to explode. Experts estimate the time for the nova eruption is close to now.  Get ready to see a new star in the night sky. According to NASA, it’s a rare “once-in-a-lifetime” event. Bob Berman has the details. The 2024 Nova EventIf you’ve been following our newsletter, you know this year has already brought a rich bounty…
regulus

Remarkable Blue Star Regulus

Regulus is one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Here are viewing tips, plus learn about the remarkable Regulus, the “little king” of the stars. While it appears as a single star to the human eye, Regulus has three unseen companion stars, two of which can be seen in telescopes.Regulus is the brightest object in Leo. The “Sickle of Leo” makes up the lion’s mane and looks like…

Welcome to “This Week’s Amazing Sky,” the Almanac’s hub for everything stargazing and astronomy. Bob Berman, longtime and famous astronomer for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, will help bring alive the wonders of our universe. From the beautiful stars and planets to magical auroras and eclipses, he covers everything under the Sun (and Moon)! Bob, the world’s mostly widely read astronomer, also has a new weekly podcast, Astounding Universe!

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