These aren’t your usual star charts—just nostalgia of chasing comets, marveling at meteors, and getting lost under galaxies. From blizzards to beachside Milky Ways, the stories capture the love of astronomy. If you’re looking for my night sky observations, they can be found here. Clear skies!
2025 Geminid Meteor Shower: Tracing the Origins of the ‘Rock Comet’
The Geminids peak Dec 13–14, 2025! Learn the history behind the shower, viewing tips, and it unique colors.
Between Stars and Jingle Bells: Savannah’s Troup Square
Explore Savannah’s Troup Square, where a bronze armillary sphere meets history, James Lord Pierpont, and the story behind “Jingle Bells.”
Navi: The Star Behind the Ghost of Cassiopeia
Explore Gamma Cassiopeiae (Navi) and the Ghost Nebula IC 63, its history, stellar energy, and connection to astronaut Gus Grissom.
Stars Fell Like Snow: Witnesses to the 1833 Leonid Meteor Storm
The 1833 Leonid meteor storm stunned America. Read the harrowing eyewitness accounts of the night the stars fell like snow and the sky caught fire.
The Curious Symbols of the Planets
Uncover the secrets of planetary symbols from the Sun and Moon to Pluto. These ancient glyphs blend astronomy, mythology, and alchemy, offering a cosmic language that connects science and imagination. Perfect for stargazers and anyone…
How a Denver Blizzard Inspired My Stargazing Journey
On Christmas Eve 1982, Denver’s great blizzard buried the city in snow—and sparked my fascination with the stars. Finding an old astronomy book changed everything, inspiring decades of stargazing adventures. From Saturn to the Milky…
Antares: Across the Skylines
From rooftops in Seattle to Florida’s Gulf Coast, follow the journey of observing Antares and Messier 4. This reflective astronomy story weaves stargazing, memory, and the timeless beauty of the night sky.
From Park Bench to Stardust: Spotting Comet Hale‑Bopp in 1997
Experience the magic of Comet Hale-Bopp through my personal story of a clear March night in Colorado Springs. From capturing the comet on 35 mm film to witnessing its dazzling tail without a telescope, this reflection…
August Nights Under the Perseid Meteor Shower
Each August night, the Perseid Meteor Shower turned our Denver street into a cathedral of stars. We’d sprawl on blankets, count meteors, and gaze at galaxies through a small telescope—moments that sparked a lifelong love…
Lenses of Legacy: Great Telescopes that Opened Our Eyes to the Heavens
From Galileo’s first refractor to the mighty Hale Telescope, these ten historic telescopes reshaped how humans see the universe. Discover how Galileo’s spyglass revealed the moons of Jupiter, Herschel’s backyard telescope found Uranus, and the…
A Hole in the Desert: My Trip to the Barringer Crater
Discover the Barringer Crater near Winslow, Arizona, where a 50,000-year-old meteorite impact created a nearly mile-wide natural wonder. From hiking the Crater Rim Trail to visiting the visitor center, this Arizona destination combines science, history,…
Stephan’s Quintet: Visiting George Bailey’s Angels in It’s a Wonderul Life
Explore how the stunning Stephan’s Quintet in Pegasus inspired the angels’ realm in the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life. Discover tips for observing these faint galaxies, their connection to astronomy, and reflections on the…
Sisters Capture the Essence of the Stars
Learn how Sofia and Fabiola Bardelli combined a love of the night sky with perfumery to create a stellar fragrance line inspired by stars like Betelgeuse and Antares. Explore their story of creativity, hope, and…
Wherever You May Roam: Milky Way in the Florida Keys
Experience the breathtaking night skies of Islamorada, Florida, where Scorpio, Sagittarius, and the Milky Way rise high above the waters. Discover how even a simple iPhone can capture deep-sky objects and bring the cosmos closer…
Tour a Colorful Palette of Summertime Stars
Join me on a summer backyard adventure to discover stars of all colors.
Astronomy Books and Resources
As an amateur astronomer who also loves books, I share some of my favorite reads related to the field of astronomy. A good guide with resources for those new to the hobby as well as…
Lowell Observatory
Visit Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, and step into the history of astronomy. From Clyde Tombaugh’s discovery of Pluto to the legacy of Robert Burnham Jr., explore telescopes, exhibits, and the open-deck observatory that continue…
Through the Skylight
A backyard astronomer is reminded of the old adage “keep looking up,” even when clouds blanket the rich winter skies in the Pacific Northwest.
Palomar Observatory
Learn about the Palomar Observatory and the Hale Telescope. Article includes original photos and video from a personal visit in 2018.
The Garden Astronomer 