As summer arrives, amusement parks open their gates. The smell of hamburgers and waffle cones fill the air along with the faint waft of grease and wood from an old roller coaster. Glowing neon. Pulsing bulbs on a Ferris wheel. The clicks and clacks of a coaster coursing on invisible rails pierce the darkening nightContinue reading "Waiting for the Night"
The Great January Comet of 1910: Daylight Comet Steals Halley’s Year
Before Halley's Comet arrived, a dazzling visitor lit the sky. Explore the story of the Great January Comet of 1910, the famous Daylight Comet.
NGC 2903: A Beautiful Spiral that Messier Missed in Leo
Explore NGC 2903, a bright barred spiral galaxy in Leo that rewards backyard observers as it's often overlooked for other Messier galaxies.
The Great Comet of 1811: Companion to a Shaking World
Discover the Great Comet of 1811—Napoleon’s Comet that blazed during the New Madrid earthquakes, inspired Tecumseh, and created the legendary 1811 comet wine vintage.
NGC 2627: A Quaint, Open Cluster in Pyxis
Explore NGC 2627, a subtle open star cluster in Pyxis, featuring faint stars, rich history, and intriguing stellar evolution clues.
NGC 4038 and 4039: The Antennae Galaxies
A look at the Antennae Galaxies (NGC 4038/4039): a merging pair in Corvus, starburst activity, and a suburban observation using Seestar S50.
Catching April’s Dawn Comet: C/2025 R3 PanSTARRS
Track Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) in April 2026 skies. Read personal observations and learn when and where to see this rare dawn comet and capture it before perihelion.
Shattered by the Sun: The Great Comet of 1882
Discover the Great Comet of 1882: a brilliant sungrazer that split apart. Explore its impact on astronomy and the early life of observer E.E. Barnard.
Lyrid Meteor Shower: A Trail of Ancient Falling Light
Trace the history of the April Lyrid meteor shower from ancient China to the 1803 Richmond outburst. Discover Comet Thatcher’s trail and tips for stargazing.
The Garden Astronomer 