Geoff Gaherty
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
![Galaxies of Autumn 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MRPWNTarTYpmqkaFdSPmWL-320-80.jpg)
Autumn Galaxies Reign in Night Sky This Week
By Geoff Gaherty published
As Earth moves in its orbit around the sun, new constellations are revealed in the east as the old ones disappear into twilight.
![Triple Solar Eclipses on Jupiter, October 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cpTp7N9xoGBV9qBhpjmkdC-320-80.jpg)
Jupiter Moons Perform Cosmic Shadow Dance This Week
By Geoff Gaherty published
Three of Jupiter's largest moons will cast their shadows simultaneously on the planet below them creating three solar eclipses at the same time: a rare cosmic event.
![Constellations of Autumn](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sV8UjZALSP4Rt6DiXzKhyd-320-80.jpg)
Monsters of the Night Sky: Strange Constellations to See This Fall
By Geoff Gaherty published
![Surface features of the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zU7ezyE8C3gKD5Awr2xGTN-320-80.jpg)
Best Time to See the Moon This Month Is Now
By Geoff Gaherty published
The next few nights are the best times of the month to observe the surface of the moon with telescopes, binoculars or even your naked eye. Here is how to see it.
![Neptune Reaches Opposition in August 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hHUjHgKXYQEaB7bLXnCNyL-320-80.jpg)
Neptune Shines Best in Telescopes Now: See It Online Tonight
By Geoff Gaherty published
![Moon Close Encounters](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ehUBEeh6Xq9WcA2Z9PZTnK-320-80.jpg)
Moon's Close Encounters with Venus, Saturn & Jupiter Explained
By Geoff Gaherty published
![Three Asteroids in August 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Dfo4yHCyq2xDiYxpQEnfdg-320-80.jpg)
See Three Asteroids in the Night Sky This Month
By Geoff Gaherty published
Three asteroids are visible in the august night sky, but you have to know how to see them.
![Mercury Furthest From Sun Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZUkVSnFM8sye5X4W8Sey69-320-80.jpg)
Mercury Joins Mars and Jupiter in Night Sky Meetup This Week
By Geoff Gaherty published
![Venus and Regulus, July 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eVREzLPdqtywZ8j7SQ9B3A-320-80.jpg)
See Jupiter, Venus and Mars: Planet Close Encounters in July's Sky
By Geoff Gaherty published
![The Moon and Spica in July 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/unHh5jAzyA5NnCjY4BHVdJ-320-80.jpg)
Moon Has Close Encounters with Planets, Star This Month: How to See It
By Geoff Gaherty published
In mid-July 2013, skywatchers will be able to observe the moon moving in relation to Spica and Saturn. Also, Mars and Jupiter appear to move together in the morning sky.
![Venus and Beehive Cluster, July 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pLhiu435oXjrR2ScCNVxdT-320-80.jpg)
See Venus Near Cosmic Beehive Tonight
By Geoff Gaherty published
Venus is shining low in the western evening sky. On Wednesday, July 3, Venus shines with the Beehive Cluster of stars. Here's how to see it.
![Scorpius, June 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6VxMKqbeaAnoDTjUMhfUYX-320-80.jpg)
Cosmic Scorpion: Scorpius Constellation Explained
By Geoff Gaherty published
The cosmic scorpion constellation Scorpius actually looks like its namesake, unlike many other constellations.
![Mercury Below Venus June 20 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MkPxUFyPwtFhtWe6HndcAZ-320-80.jpg)
See Mercury and Earth's Summer Solstice This Week
By Geoff Gaherty published
Mercury and the solstice make this a can't-miss week in skywatching.
![Saturn, Moon, and Spica on June 18, 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SSkLFkvWKZSo9L5hYEmwe9-320-80.jpg)
Trifecta of Celestial Wonders Shines in This Week's Night Sky
By Geoff Gaherty published
The moon, Saturn and the bright star Spica shine together.
![Mercury Sky Map, June 12, 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eGHvGDxyd2sXhHT3i7DzSV-320-80.jpg)
Spot Elusive Mercury in Evening Sky Now
By Geoff Gaherty published
Use brilliant Venus to point the way.
![Ophiuchus Sky Map Summer 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NV6kwnXYNR6w9GHZspGnNL-320-80.jpg)
Spotted! A Rarely Seen Constellation Shines This Summer
By Geoff Gaherty published
Ophiuchus, a rarely spotted constellation, makes an appearance in the summer sky.
![Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury on May 26, 2013, Sky Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Rb9hcv3HUXWWSqZwbv6BtV-320-80.jpg)
See Jupiter, Venus and Mercury Dance in Sunset Sky
By Geoff Gaherty published
Don't miss your chance to see three bright planets in the night sky.
![Mountains on the Northern Half of the Moon Sky Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h3ePTnV7ntuxhScsD5zrAV-320-80.jpg)
Best Time to See Moon Mountains in May Is Now
By Geoff Gaherty published
The mountains of the moon are visible for those that wish to see them this month.
!['Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse of May 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BnycEcvDVHvmR895PF3wAf-320-80.jpg)
This Week's 'Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse: What You Need to Know
By Geoff Gaherty published
Parts of Australia and the Pacific region will get a rare skywatching treat on Thursday and Friday.
![Constellations Between Saturn and Spica](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q2aGrgb6S6s3JeiHmR8ZXi-320-80.jpg)
See a Celestial Circus Below Saturn This Week
By Geoff Gaherty published
Bright constellations, galaxies and a globular cluster are on show in the night sky.