Joe Rao

Here are the stages of the Beaver Moon lunar eclipse of Nov. 19, which will be the longest lunar eclipse this century.

In our sky this week, there are three stars that have been used to demonstrate how to measure stellar distances: Vega, 61 Cygni and Delta Cephei.

If like me, you have been watching the night sky for a long time, you will begin to recognize certain stars and constellations as old friends.

The annual Taurid meteor shower made of bits of the comet Encke is peaking Friday, Nov. 5.

Venus is the first planet you'll spot these days — maybe even before sunset, if you know where to look in the south-southwest sky.

There's a lot to look at between now and the December solstice: two eclipses, four meteor showers, Venus reaching its pinnacle in brilliance and a potential bright comet!

For the next two and a half weeks, early-morning skywatchers will have an excellent opportunity to spot the so-called "elusive planet" — Mercury.

During these next few mornings, we'll have a chance to see a few pieces of Halley's Comet zipping through our atmosphere in the form of meteors.

Between Saturday and Thursday evenings (Oct. 9 to Oct. 14), the moon will visit not one but three bright planets: Venus, Saturn and Jupiter.

For those with a knowledge of the night sky, there's a chance to share that knowledge and appreciation of the heavens with other people by giving a star talk.

The stars have provided inspiration for imaginative storytellers across the planet for millennia. This is the tale of two star-crossed lovers, Vega and Altair.

Of all of the features associated with our sun, sunspots are by far the most conspicuous.

There are two star patterns representing crowns that are visible in our current late-summer evening sky: Corona Borealis (the Northern Crown) and Corona Australis (the Southern Crown).

Wednesday (Sept. 22) marks the equinox, which, thanks to its Latin name meaning "equal night," is often thought of as the day when dark and light each claim 12 hours.

The Harvest Moon is always the full moon closest to the time of the autumnal equinox.

It's an excellent week to go skywatching as the moon creeps up to the two largest planets in our solar system.

Thursday evening (Sept. 9) will bring a lovely celestial display involving the two brightest objects in the nighttime sky.

In this week's Night Sky column, we provide a potpourri of factoids concerning some of the more prominent objects appearing in the summertime sky.

Step outside around 45 minutes after sunset on Saturday evening (Aug. 21) and in a single glance you'll be able to partake in a gathering of the moon and the biggest planet of our solar system.

We usually associate the term Blue Moon with a month containing two full moons. That won't happen in August, yet this month brings a Blue Moon nonetheless.

Clouds and smoke could foil the view for some skywatchers.

Perseid meteors are already beginning to fall in a display that promises to dazzle skywatchers this month.

A staple of mythology, the hero Hercules has a strange celestial story.

The planets are a dynamic bunch, and throughout the year as seen from Earth, these celestial bodies appear not only to move across the sky but also to brighten and fade in turn.

Catch the trio above the western horizon about 45 minutes after sunset.