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, Sky & Telescope 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.
Latest articles by Joe Rao

By Joe Rao Published
On the evening of Oct. 9, a waning gibbous moon visits the famous Pleiades Star Cluster — the Seven Sisters — in the Taurus constellation.

By Joe Rao Published
Look up Oct. 5: the nearly Harvest Moon will guide you to Saturn, where a telescope reveals its famous rings — even if they're just a thin line for now.

By Joe Rao Published
The 2025 Harvest Moon won't shine in September; instead, October claims the title. Here's why it happens and when to see it.

By Joe Rao Published
Newly discovered comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) will soon be gracing our evening sky. Here's how to see it and what to expect.

By Joe Rao Published
The autumn equinox brings fall to the Northern Hemisphere today when the sun passes over our planet's equator at noon.

By Joe Rao Published
The moon is near new phase this week, and clearer skies and cooler overnight temperatures means that this is also an optimum week to check out the beautiful summer Milky Way.

By Joe Rao Published
A striking sight to the unaided eye; even more so with binoculars.

By Joe Rao Published
The comet will come closest to Earth on Oct. 20. There's hope that it may become bright enough to glimpse with the naked eye.

By Joe Rao Published
A rare August morning alignment brings Mercury, a thin crescent moon and the Beehive Cluster together in the predawn sky. Here's how you can see it for yourself.

By Joe Rao Last updated
Spot Saturn near the moon on Aug. 11! See them with the naked eye and learn what to expect through a telescope.

By Joe Rao Published
While moonlight might steal the spotlight, it won't steal the Perseids' show.

By Joe Rao Published
Venus and Jupiter meet in the morning sky on Aug. 12. Catch their dazzling conjunction just before sunrise with the crescent moon joining later!

By Joe Rao Published
What could we choose as the seven most remarkable celestial objects visible either with our eyes or with a small telescope?

By Joe Rao Published
The moon's crescent limb will cloak and uncover stars from the iconic cluster before sunrise.

By Joe Rao Published
Rise and shine! Venus, Aldebaran and the moon team up for a dazzling dawn display.

By Joe Rao Last updated
Each summer, skywatchers around the world look forward to the famous Perseid meteor shower, but often overlook four lesser showers that peak between July 29 and Aug. 16.

By Joe Rao Published
The International Space Station and China's Tiangong Space Station will be visible for early risers. Here's how to make a dual sighting.

By Joe Rao Published
Earth is at its farthest point from the sun on July 3. So why are temperatures so high across the U.S.?

By Joe Rao Published
Most people have never seen the Little Dipper, because most of its stars are too dim to be seen through light-polluted skies.

By Joe Rao Published
On June 26, you'll have an opportunity to behold the sight of a slender waxing crescent moon positioned just to the right of Mercury.

By Joe Rao Published
The sun will reach its most northern point on June 20, marking the start of the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere.

By Joe Rao Published
During the latter part of June, Mars will put on a couple of eye-catching shows, teaming up first with a bright star and then, late this month, with the moon.

By Joe Rao Published
Mizar, a star in the Big Dipper's handle, has a tiny companion. This star, Alcor, was known to the ancients. The pair was popularly known as the "Horse and Rider."
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