Joe Rao
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.
Latest articles by Joe Rao
![a starry night sky over snow-capped mountains](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sa7mnXGNvWMKFBUY8De3iG-320-80.jpg)
Say goodbye to winter stars and watch the night sky transition to spring this month
By Joe Rao published
The sky is in transition throughout March as we watch the glorious wintertime stars and bright constellations give way to the somewhat dimmer stars of spring.
![a bright comet in the sky over a large antenna dish](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QWwuXLXP5fHjdFEdQCyLr9-320-80.jpg)
A comet coming in 2024 could outshine the stars - if we're lucky
By Joe Rao published
A comet recently discovered zooming through our solar system has the potential to be quite bright when it arrives late in 2024, but comets have let us down before.
![The Great Orion Nebula, in the constellation Orion.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6XAEovQ2ug3aBLVJaT88Sf-320-80.jpg)
Wonder at the colorful Orion nebula in the southwestern sky throughout March
By Joe Rao published
Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful objects in the night sky is the Great Orion Nebula, also known as M42, which shines in the southwestern sky in March.
![An illustration of the night sky on March 1 showing the proximity of Venus and Jupiter.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s4goX8hKagXo7yj2EScdwY-320-80.jpg)
Don't miss Venus and Jupiter shine super close in the night sky. They won't be closer until 2032!
By Joe Rao published
You can catch an incredibly close view of these worlds for 2 hours after sunset tonight (March 1).
![An illustration of the night sky on Feb. 27 showing the moon and Mars in close proximity.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/W8K4zVc5m3LsLUSSbKRxp-320-80.jpg)
See the half moon pass by Mars in the sky tonight
By Joe Rao published
The moon and Mars will make a close approach high in the sky tonight (Feb. 27), making for a great skywatching spectacle.
![A photograph of a telescope in front of two bright objects in the night sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XgmSKeSUfTWZBaHhUCvL87-320-80.jpg)
See a bright Venus and Jupiter hold a celestial meeting in the night sky this month
By Joe Rao published
Venus and Jupiter should make for a very striking visual spectacle, no doubt attracting the attention of even those who don't give more than a casual glance at the night sky.
![Low angle view of moon against sky at night.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/w5xSKh2Vh7gfVkZjk3bfMj-320-80.jpg)
Lunar love affair: Enjoying the beauty of the moon
By Joe Rao published
Throughout history, the has moon remained a favorite skywatching target for astronomers of all levels.
![A winter scene in Somerset, England.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TFDk4hU2tuoEM3EkUdmm2U-320-80.jpg)
Saturday (Feb. 4), not Groundhog Day, is winter's actual midpoint
By Joe Rao last updated
Although thought of as the halfway point of winter, Groundhog Day actually falls a couple of days short. Winter's midpoint will occur this week on Saturday (Feb. 4).
![An illustration of the the lunar occultation of Mars on Monday (Jan. 30).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HJ5BfLZoQSkDd7UiPs6q8a-320-80.jpg)
Don't miss the moon eclipse Mars next week on Monday (Jan. 30)
By Joe Rao published
On Monday (Jan. 30), the moon will cross in front of Mars, causing an occultation or eclipse of the planet.
![Venus - Jan2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yvZFeWHyMQtaqoiXTiutma-320-80.jpg)
Venus will steal the show in the night sky throughout 2023
By Joe Rao published
The planet Venus is the undisputed star of the night skies throughout 2023
![Jan22-2023 at 550 pm - Venus Kisses Saturn](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TQHnsxv42BwnHkhdgNxKUa-320-80.jpg)
See Venus and Saturn snuggle in the sky Sunday (Jan. 22)
By Joe Rao published
Venus and Saturn will be in conjunction on Sunday (Jan. 22), appearing close enough together in the sky to both be seen through a telescope. The close pairing will also be visible to the naked-eye.
![A photo of comet C/2022 E3 ZTF taken on Dec. 26, 2022 in Payson, Arizona by Chris Schur.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sDcm46qbzdeaMS3UoPN5DL-320-80.jpg)
A comet not seen in 50,000 years is coming. Here's what you need to know
By Joe Rao published
On Feb. 1, comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will pass to within 28 million miles (42 million km) of our planet, its first visit in 50,000 years.
![Meteors streaking over a nighttime Earth with city lights seen from space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LqPiPNN2hgBExm5g2Gck-320-80.jpg)
Quadrantid meteor shower, one of the best of the year, peaking now at the wrong time
By Joe Rao published
The bright moon will interfere with the 2023 Quadrantid meteor shower this year, limiting the shooting star display.
![a band of bright stars above mountains and a clear lake](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6QQpFFExToahmKbDmWDnLk-320-80.jpg)
The 15 must-see skywatching events of 2024
By Joe Rao last updated
Here are some of the more noteworthy sky events that will take place this upcoming year.
![A meteor streaks across the night sky over the Lhasa River on December 14, 2022 in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region of China.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BErRg4srddbPfodcXrHtfh-320-80.jpg)
Ursid meteor shower shines with ideal dark sky conditions this year
By Joe Rao published
The moon will be at new moon phase on Dec. 23 when the Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak, meaning it won't provide any hindrance at all for meteor watching.
![A meteor of the Geminid shower is pictured on January 3, 2022 in Beijing, China.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A5Hs6ipfdB2PQ59vioxm3P-320-80.jpg)
Don't miss the Geminid meteor shower peak next week on Dec. 14
By Joe Rao published
The Geminid meteor shower is predicted to reach its peak before dawn next Wednesday morning (Dec. 14).
![An illustration of the night sky on Dec. 07 showing the full Cold Moon occulting Mars.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jY7RtiXd7UNPssvFqTiQdd-320-80.jpg)
Mars at opposition will meet up with the full moon next week (Dec. 7). Here's how to see it
By Joe Rao published
The full moon will appear in very close proximity to a brilliant Mars in the evening of Wednesday (Dec. 7) as the Red Planet reaches opposition.
![An image of the night sky depicting three planets. The bright reddish star is Mars, Saturn is at the middle of the image, the the bright star on the right is Jupiter.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iNN57g9NsuS7S9yeYnQiKX-320-80.jpg)
Thanksgiving night sky 2022: 3 planets provide a feast for skywatchers
By Joe Rao last updated
Here's what you can expect to see in the Thanksgiving night sky of 2022.
![The Milky Way is reflected in an Alpine Lake as three Leonid meteors streak overhead.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a7KuUhtThu245pvoi8rCT6-320-80.jpg)
The Leonid meteor shower of 2022 peaks this week. Here's what to expect.
By Joe Rao published
Scientists have produced various models of the Leonid meteor shower and all of them are indicating that the Earth will intersect a few "rivers of rubble" left behind by comet Tempel-Tuttle this year.
![A silhouette of a person stares up at Tycho's supernova.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BQKbUiN9pDXu3PGFe32Nc7-320-80.jpg)
Supernova anniversary: Famous Tycho's star flared up 450 years ago this month
By Joe Rao published
One of the most spectacular celestial sights ever seen appeared 450 years ago this month. Here's the incredible story of Tycho's star, one of only five supernovas ever observed.
![December is usually marked by a series of meteor showers. Geminid meteors, like the one seen here, light up the skies at the beginning of the month, while the Ursids put on a show just before Christmas.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jbMDNKgcT55osBzpkW5ZjT-320-80.jpg)
The Ursid meteor shower peaks tonight. Don't expect to see many 'shooting stars.'
By Joe Rao last updated
The Ursid meteor shower of 2021 will peak overnight on Dec. 21 but don't expect a great meteor display.
![December is usually marked by a series of meteor showers. Geminid meteors (like the one seen in this picture of Florida) light up the skies at the beginning of the month, while the Ursids — which peak tonight (Dec. 21-22) — put on a show just before Christmas.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jbMDNKgcT55osBzpkW5ZjT-320-80.jpg)
The Ursid meteor shower of 2020 is peaking now! Here's what to expect.
By Joe Rao last updated
There is one more meteor shower to consider before we close the book on 2020: the December Ursid meteor shower, which usually occurs during the overnight hours of Dec. 21-22.
![A long-exposure photograph shows Perseid meteors in August 2009.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oSGbALRRqPkhMBCXjUPMsK-320-80.jpg)
The Geminid meteor shower, the best of 2020, peaks this weekend. Here's what to expect.
By Joe Rao last updated
The Geminid meteor shower, which will likely be the very best meteor display of the year, is just around the corner, predicted to peak late on Sunday night (Dec. 13).