Joe Rao

Joe Rao

Skywatching Columnist

Joe Rao is Space.com's skywatching columnist, as well as a veteran meteorologist and eclipse chaser who also serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for Natural History magazine, the Farmers' Almanac and other publications. Joe is an 8-time Emmy-nominated meteorologist who served the Putnam Valley region of New York for over 21 years. You can find him on Twitter and YouTube tracking lunar and solar eclipses, meteor showers and more. To find out Joe's latest project, visit him on Twitter.

Articles by: Joe Rao

cetus and mira

See the 'Wonderful Star' Mira at its peak brightness this week

By Joe Rao published

Mira, the 'Wonderful Star,' will be at its peak brightness around July 13. See how to find Mira and learn more about this variable star's odd behavior.

the sun appears as a dark spot with bright white light beaming out from behind. A series of phases surround the main eclipse image, showing the moon take a progressively bigger "bite" out of the sun.

What is a solar eclipse?

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference A solar eclipse occurs when the moon positions itself between Earth and the sun, casting a shadow over Earth. We explore the type of solar eclipses here.

Fireworks with the moon in the background

The Fourth of July sky: Here's what you can see on Independence Day

By Joe Rao published

The moon and several planets will join the fireworks on the Fourth.

sky diagram of moon and venus

Venus and the crescent moon get together in dazzling dance early Sunday

By Joe Rao published

Get up early Sunday to see a celestial rendezvous between the two brightest objects in the night sky: Venus and the moon.

Midnight sun in Finland on the night of the 2022 summer solstice.

June solstice 2022 around the world. Here is what to expect

By Joe Rao published

The June solstice 2022, which is recognized as the official start of the summer in the Northern Hemisphere, will occur on Tuesday, June 21, at precisely 5:14 a.m. EDT (09:14 GMT).

sky map of five planets

Rare 5-planet alignment comes into better view this week. Here's what to expect.

By Joe Rao published

A rare parade of planets is coming into better view in the second half of June, and even the moon will join the show.

The large constellations Hydra, Virgo and Ursa Major as seen in the sky of New York approaching 10 p.m. local time on June 7, 2022.

The 3 biggest constellations will be on full display this June. Here's how to see them.

By Joe Rao published

June presents a perfect opportunity to spot the three biggest constellations in the sky — Hydra, Virgo and Ursa Major — but you may have to look beyond standard star charts to find the Big Three.

Dozens of meteors from the Geminids fill the night sky.

The greatest meteor storms of all time

By Joe Rao published

Meteor storms can contain thousands of meteors an hour. Here, we take a look at some of history's greatest meteor storms dating back to the late 18th century.

A meteor streaks over China in January 2022.

May's possible meteor storm offers chance to listen to 'shooting stars' on the radio

By Joe Rao last updated

"Shooting stars" from the tau Herculids meteor shower may be visible late this month, but you might want to listen for them instead.

Artist's illustration of a meteor shower.

A meteor shower outburst from a shattered comet may spawn new tau Herculids display on May 30

By Joe Rao last updated

The tau Herculids from comet 73P/Schwassman-Wachmann which began to fragment in 1995 may make an appearance on the night of May 30-31.

This NASA graphic shows the major stages of the Super Flower Blood Moon of May 2022 and their times.

Super Flower Blood Moon weather forecast: What to expect in the US for the total lunar eclipse

By Joe Rao last updated

A total eclipse of the moon will occur tonight (May 15). Here's the weather forecast for the Super Flower Blood Moon.

An animation of a total lunar eclipse, also known as a "blood moon."

The stages of the Super Flower Blood Moon lunar eclipse of 2022 explained

By Joe Rao published

Here is every stage of the Super Flower Blood Moon of May 2022 with a timetable for the total lunar eclipse.

A meteor streaks across the night sky in Bazhou, Xinjiang Province, China, in the early morning of December 14, 2021.

Watch Space.com columnist Joe Rao talk upcoming lunar eclipse and meteor outburst

By Joe Rao published

Space.com columnist Joe Rao will talk about the upcoming lunar eclipse potential meteor outburst in a series of virtual talks.

The total lunar eclipse of Jan. 20-21, 2019, captured by astrophotographers Imelda Joson and Edwin Aguirre from the suburbs of Boston. From left to right: The start of totality, at 11:41 p.m. EST on Jan. 20; the middle of totality, at 12:12 a.m. on Jan. 21; and the end of totality at 12:44 a.m.

See the fiery Blood Moon rise in a total lunar eclipse in May's must-see skywatching event

By Joe Rao published

If the weather is clear, skywatchers across most of the Americas, Europe and Africa will have a view of one of nature's most beautiful spectacles: a total eclipse of the moon.

The Eta Aquarids meteor shower

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is the legacy of Halley's Comet in May's night sky

By Joe Rao last updated

Do you remember Halley's Comet? The last time this famous object was visible was in 1986, 36 years ago.

The moon sets after a partial lunar eclipse in November 2021.

May's lunar eclipse and a wild-card meteor shower may offer double spectacle

By Joe Rao last updated

May offers an unusual skywatching bounty: the possibility of two major celestial highlights occurring within the span of a single month.

The first solar eclipse of 2022 will happen on April 30.

First solar eclipse of 2022 occurs Saturday. Here's what to expect.

By Joe Rao last updated

This year, humans on Earth will experience four eclipses: two of the sun and two of the moon. The first of these is a solar eclipse set to take place on Saturday, April 30th.

The Black Moon will occur on Apr, 30. 2022. Pictured here is the earliest visible waxing crescent after a new moon.

Black Moon 2022 guide: April's rare second new moon

By Joe Rao published

Reference This year's Black Moon will occur on April 30. The rare occurrence will cause a partial solar eclipse for some parts of South America.

A diagram showing the location of the moon, Jupiter and Venus before sunrise on April 26, 2022.

Venus and Jupiter align this week in spectacular morning sky shows

By Joe Rao published

The celestial highlight in the days ahead will involve the three brightest objects in the nighttime sky: the moon and the planets Venus and Jupiter.

The 2021 Lyrids above the Yosemite National Park in the U.S.

The Lyrid meteor shower peaks this week after 'shooting star' drought

By Joe Rao last updated

Skywatchers will finally be able to enjoy the thrill of observing "shooting stars" again this week as the April Lyrids shower arrives after a three-month-long meteor drought.

The planet Mercury will be visible in the evening sky about 40 minutes after sunset in the late April 2022 night sky.

Elusive planet Mercury will shine after sunset in the April 2022 evening sky

By Joe Rao published

Mercury will join the evening sky of April after sunset starting on April 16. Here's how to see it.

A comet known as C/2021 O3 (Pan-STARRS) may be visible in the night sky in April 2022.

Recently discovered Comet Pan-STARRS could be visible in April's night sky (maybe)

By Joe Rao published

Recently discovered comet Pan-STARRS is heading towards the sun in late April, but will we be able to see it?

The predawn sky in April 2022 brings a dance of morning planets as Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn are all visible before sunrise.

April's sky brings dance of 4 morning planets: See Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn.

By Joe Rao published

As the planets rise in April we're given stunning views, if you know where to look.

Orion and Canis Major shine in the night sky. There are four celestial dogs hidden in the constellations of the spring night sky.

The mighty dog constellations of the spring night sky

By Joe Rao published

Four dog constellations are now visible in the night sky, if you know where to look

Aurora borealis above camping tent

Spring is typically aurora season each year. Here's why.

By Joe Rao last updated

News One celestial sight that many have never witnessed but yearn to see is the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights

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