The Great Comet of 1861 stunned the world as Earth passed through its tail. Discover how a farmer-astronomer and Civil War witnesses saw history.
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
The Great Comet of 1744: Six Tails at Dawn
Uncover the mystery of the Great Comet of 1744. From its six-tailed fan to inspiring a young Charles Messier, relive the dawn that changed astronomy.
Upsilon Puppis: A Wide Optical Double Star in Puppis
Learn how to find Upsilon Puppis, a great optical double star. Perfect for binoculars, this pair in the constellation Puppis is a winter sky must-see.
Donati’s Comet 1858: The Comet That Stunned the World
Explore Donati’s Comet of 1858—its historic observations, first photographs, and global impact, from Florence skies to Abraham Lincoln’s gaze.
NGC 2362: The Radiant Tau Canis Majoris Cluster
Explore NGC 2362 and Tau Canis Majoris, the “Mexican Jumping Star”—a young, dazzling open cluster gem of winter skies for backyard astronomers.
Silent Fireballs, Thunderous Awe: The 1913 Meteor Procession
Eyewitness accounts of the rare 1913 Great Meteor Procession, a slow-moving fireball display across Canada, Bermuda, and the South Atlantic.
Messier 93: The Wedge-Shaped Open Cluster in Puppis
Learn about Messier 93, a wedge-shaped open star cluster in Puppis—its history and how to observe it with binoculars or a telescope.
The Flame Nebula (NGC 2024): Orion’s Subtle Fire
Discover Orion’s Flame Nebula, glowing crimson from hidden star IRS2b. Learn about its beauty and how to observe visually and with a Seestar.
The Garden Astronomer 