Geoff Gaherty was Space.com's Night Sky columnist and in partnership with Starry Night software and a dedicated amateur astronomer who sought to share the wonders of the night sky with the world. Based in Canada, Geoff studied mathematics and physics at McGill University and earned a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Toronto, all while pursuing a passion for the night sky and serving as an astronomy communicator. He credited a partial solar eclipse observed in 1946 (at age 5) and his 1957 sighting of the Comet Arend-Roland as a teenager for sparking his interest in amateur astronomy. In 2008, Geoff won the Chant Medal from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, an award given to a Canadian amateur astronomer in recognition of their lifetime achievements. Sadly, Geoff passed away July 7, 2016 due to complications from a kidney transplant, but his legacy continues at Starry Night.
Latest articles by Geoff Gaherty

By Geoff Gaherty Published
There are two interesting but challenging events in the night sky this week: a close conjunction of the two smallest planets, and a chance to observe at least one asteroid close to the moon.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
One of the surest signs of spring for stargazers is seeing the constellation Leo high in the evening sky. Here's how to spot Leo, and what to look for within it.

By Geoff Gaherty Published

By Geoff Gaherty Published

By Geoff Gaherty Published
The constellation Gemini is currently well placed in the evening sky, just above and to the left of Orion for observers in the Northern Hemisphere. Here's how to see it.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
As the moon moves around its monthly orbit of the Earth, it passes near or in front of a wide variety of objects. At some points in its orbit, there are almost no stars behind it.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
See what's up in the night sky for March 2015, including stargazing events and the moon's phases, in this SPACE.com gallery courtesy of Starry Night Software.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
Over the next two weeks, you have an excellent chance to spot one of the most rarely observed objects in the sky, the zodiacal light.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
See what's up in the night sky for February 2015, including stargazing events and the moon's phases, in this SPACE.com gallery courtesy of Starry Night Software.

By Geoff Gaherty Published

By Geoff Gaherty Published
Stargazers can start the New Year off with a bang this weekend as the first meteor shower of 2015 reaches its peak on Saturday night (Jan. 3). Here's how to see the 2015 Quadrantid meteor shower.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
See what's up in the night sky for January 2015, including stargazing events and the moon's phases, in this SPACE.com gallery courtesy of Starry Night Software.

By Geoff Gaherty Published

By Geoff Gaherty Published
Skywatchers with telescopes on Earth will be able to witness a remarkable cosmic event tonght: Two of Jupiter's moons will cast shadows on the face of the gas giant in the same night.
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