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
![Zodiacal Light](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5cQUVdsSUjhrmpgorTLpFZ-320-80.jpg)
Rare Celestial Sight: How to See the Zodiacal Light
By Geoff Gaherty published
Now is a great time to try and see the zodiacal light, a rare celestial sight.
![October 2012 Moon and Sky Highlights Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yf7vtcSPr97yeKGPjChJhS-320-80.jpg)
Moon Visits Bright Star Clusters This Week
By Geoff Gaherty published
The moon pays a visit to the Seven Sisters of Pleiades this week.
![Uranus’ tilt essentially has the planet orbiting the Sun on its side, the axis of its spin is nearly pointing at the Sun.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NVAnBwuGufg8cf2RXkZigd-320-80.jpg)
How to See Uranus in Telescopes This Weekend
By Geoff Gaherty published
The off-kilter planet Uranus hits night sky milestone on Saturday: Opposition.
![Asteroid Pallas in Night Sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jEo4UFmdqN39JDTy5paANN-320-80.jpg)
How to Spot Asteroid Pallas With a Telescope this Week
By Geoff Gaherty published
If you have a telescope, don't miss your chance to see asteroid Pallas in the night sky.
![The moon will make a close encounter with the planet Jupiter on Sept. 8, 2012.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x6TeAvEDzZC7HDqw4m2Vfn-320-80.jpg)
Moon Dances Close to Jupiter, Ceres & Mars This Month
By Geoff Gaherty published
The moon will have close encounters with three celestial bodies this month.
![August 2012 Full Moon Seen in Hawaii](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DHdv2isbhCpmNXnUeWgCgT-320-80.jpg)
Blue Moon Science: Friday's Full Moon Explained
By Geoff Gaherty published
Blue moons are not really blue. And they're not all that rare, either.
![Neptune Sky Map August 2012](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bLsAYuR8iAaCRonSJNgCE5-320-80.jpg)
How to Spot Neptune in Night Sky Friday
By Geoff Gaherty published
Planet Neptune is set to reach a night sky milestone on Friday, Aug. 24.
![Mercury and Venus August 2012 Sky Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8BZsv4wuDpWQWmguRkwivY-320-80.jpg)
See Mercury and Venus Reach Orbit Milestones This Week
By Geoff Gaherty published
Thursday, Aug. 16, is a great time to look for the elusive planet Mercury in the predawn sky.
![Perseid Meteor Graphic 2012](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Xr7fGboXvt6z9pbyz8dVK4-320-80.jpg)
Promising Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks on Sunday
By Geoff Gaherty published
Tips for how to see and photograph the Perseid meteor shower.
![Jupiter's Moons Sky Map August 2012](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fvYUrKiPC3EyaSvguk5F5b-320-80.jpg)
How to See Jupiter's Moons Perform Shadowy Waltz Monday
By Geoff Gaherty published
Jupiter and its moons will put on a spectacular show for night sky observers with telescopes.
![First Quarter Moon Sky Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eT2ZDU2KDRrnzCyvJHmsyY-320-80.jpg)
Best Time to See Moon Craters This Month Is Now
By Geoff Gaherty published
Now is the best time of the month to see the moon's many craters.
![Sky Map of Quadruple Conjunction on July 25, 2012](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3Ji4qSVfNhyfCEzWMM6Woj-320-80.jpg)
Mars, Saturn, Moon & Star Offer Quadruple Night Sky Show
By Geoff Gaherty published
July's planet-watching displays are heating up. See how to spot Saturn, Mars and the moon together.
![Jupiter-Venus-Aldebaran-Moon Conjunction Sky Map July 2012](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VEhu8tgS7gU5VNp92LfT2h-320-80.jpg)
4 Bright Lights in Weekend Sky: See Moon, 2 Planets and Star Together
By Geoff Gaherty published
On Sunday, July 15, the moon, Jupiter and Venus will hover near a bright star.
![Milky Way Sky Map July 2012](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bxrnLVvDQKPqVqFDy5Ki2j-320-80.jpg)
Milky Way Galaxy at Its Best in July Night Sky
By Geoff Gaherty published
July is a great month to see the Milky Way galaxy across our night sky.
![Saturn and Spica Sky Map June 2012](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ohacpKZLGQTCNr6vshWiP7-320-80.jpg)
Saturn, Spica and First Quarter Moon Light Up Night Sky
By Geoff Gaherty published
This week's night sky offers a special trio of treats.
![ercury Sky Map June 2012](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yVynkpFqttjkzKYSqhMHE5-320-80.jpg)
Elusive Mercury Joins the Moon in Night Sky Thursday
By Geoff Gaherty published
Mercury is often elusive in the night sky, but here's a trick to spotting the small planet.
![Venus, Jupiter and Moon sky map for June 17, 2012.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Q7UEMHNBPUYzou9XBRQS8M-320-80.jpg)
Venus Joins the Moon and Jupiter in Dawn Sky
By Geoff Gaherty published
Venus will be a "morning star" until March 2013.
![June evenings are mild and bug-free, and offer a great variety of deep sky objects.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K4KPCXdfEMN4ncBdcZknm4-320-80.jpg)
How to Spot June's Best Deep Sky Objects
By Geoff Gaherty published
Here are some tips on how to spot deep sky objects in the sky.
![Venus Transit 2012 Sky Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5X5dQrwMx3Sz2gZGXjVT67-320-80.jpg)
Transit of Venus on June 5 Is Last for 105 Years: How to Watch
By Geoff Gaherty published
The transit of Venus on June 5 will mark the last time humans will see Venus cross the sun in a century.
![June 4, 2012 Partial Lunar Eclipse Sky Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/imPq4Jy96MgVrnQytBG4DN-320-80.jpg)
Must-See Skywatching Events for June 2012
By Geoff Gaherty published
In June 2012, skywatchers can see the event of the next 105-1/2 years, a transit of Venus, plus other notable skywatching occurrences.
![Dark Side of the Moon Sky Map May 2012](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mUbQzkZ3Zw9hi7fFmyen8k-320-80.jpg)
Look Up! How to See the Moon's 'Dark Side' Tonight
By Geoff Gaherty published
Wednesday and Thursday offer a great chance for skywatchers to observe the unlit areas of the moon.
![Sky Map May 2012 Asteroid Juno](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/baUQwAVQuU5mVEUw7RHCAQ-320-80.jpg)
How to Spot Asteroid Juno in the Night Sky
By Geoff Gaherty published
Tips for how to spot the asteroid Juno in the sky this week.
![Skywatching Spots for Solar Eclipse](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qPkaZNK5bSD7n9fKCp2eK3-320-80.jpg)
Solar Eclipse of May 20: How to See the Sun's 'Ring of Fire'
By Geoff Gaherty published
Many viewers in western North America should get a good look at the eclipse.