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
![Geminid Meteor Shower 2013 Sky Map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LWb7uu9aLPytRsALevKDub-320-80.jpg)
Moon May Outshine Geminid Meteor Shower Peak This Week
By Joe Rao last updated
This week marks the peak of what is usually considered the most satisfying of all annual meteor displays: the Geminid meteor shower.
![Photographer Jeffrey Berkes took the image of the Quadrantid meteor shower over the Florida Keys in 2012.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fkZmcLJzfeBcLEBoX8EZTV-320-80.jpg)
The Quadrantid meteor shower of 2022 peaks today!
By Joe Rao last updated
Of the ten biggest annual meteor showers, just two could produce over 100 per hour: the December Geminids and the January Quadrantids, due to peak this Monday (Jan. 3).
![2009 Geminid Meteor](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YEpKMVXMzfRznAUiKXSHWF-320-80.jpg)
A 'Gem' of a Meteor Shower Is Coming up Next Week
By Joe Rao last updated
Look up in the night sky next week for a sight of some amazing meteors.
![Astrophotographer Jeff Berkes captured this Lyrid meteor in the marshlands of southern Maryland on April 14, 2013. The 2020 Lyrid meteor shower will peak overnight on April 21-22, 2020.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CCCtRc2CYsfaANcNWzZyZL-320-80.jpg)
Lyrid meteor shower 2020 peaks this week! Here's what to expect.
By Joe Rao last updated
The 2020 Lyrid meteor shower this week coincides with the new moon, meaning that there will be absolutely no lunar interference with getting a good view of these celestial streakers.
![The 2021 Lyrids above the Yosemite National Park in the U.S.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sGbKcZbSNEq5tfNBncPr8R-320-80.jpg)
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 moon rises just before a blood red total lunar eclipse in Montlouis-sur-Loire, central France on May 15, 2022.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SViq4bmoL9JcE8VrEiKHtW-320-80.jpg)
Blood Moon lunar eclipse weather forecast for the US
By Joe Rao last updated
About half of the contiguous 48 states will enjoy mainly clear skies, providing a perfect backdrop for viewing the total eclipse of the moon that will take place early on Election Day morning.
![In this composite photograph the moon during various phases at the begining, middle and end of a total lunar eclipse April 15, 2014 as seen from Magdalena, New Mexico.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fxgQ8NTWxyj8tVmMwHa9rU-320-80.jpg)
Blood Moon 2022 explained: Here are the phases of our last total lunar eclipse for 3 years
By Joe Rao last updated
We've assembled a chronology of the different phases of the Blood Moon total lunar eclipse, including some of the things you might see during each phase.
![Blood red colored moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Jsf6E7NnKVkDKzZSxWUG5S-320-80.jpg)
See the eclipsed setting moon and rising sun simultaneously during a rare 'selenelion' on Nov. 8
By Joe Rao last updated
See the sun rise while a total lunar eclipse sets on Tuesday (Nov. 8), in a phenomenon known as a 'selenelion'.
![A photograph of a total lunar eclipse in Canta, east of Lima on May 15, 2022.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6aob5JJzBZ7QqcCfqYuFqD-320-80.jpg)
The 1st ever Election Day Blood Moon lunar eclipse is coming on Nov. 8
By Joe Rao last updated
Early on Election Day morning, early risers will have an opportunity to observe the November Beaver Moon undergo a total eclipse.
![A time lapse of a total lunar eclipse showing the moon at various phases of an eclipse.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6CKTv39Cs3JfGqKvBVLfQ6-320-80.jpg)
Total lunar eclipse: How to prepare for next month's eclipse of the moon
By Joe Rao last updated
You can get a very good idea about where the moon will be in the sky during the eclipse by looking for it on Tuesday morning, Oct. 11.
![A bright Taurid meteor descends across a sky featuring a glowing aurora over Lake Simcoe on Nov. 9, 2015](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3JkhCNARodQ8ekasKieADf-320-80.jpg)
Don't miss the brilliant Taurid meteor shower next week
By Joe Rao published
During a one-week time frame extending from Nov. 5th through Nov. 12, the Taurid meteor shower will be most active.
![NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a solar eclipse on June 29, 2022.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vmvjiHMRFhJykz6NhEN7H9-320-80.png)
The last solar eclipse of 2022 is on Oct. 25. Here's what to expect.
By Joe Rao last updated
On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the new moon will orbit between the sun and the Earth, causing a partial eclipse of the sun to take place.
![A photograph of the Orionid meteor shower.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WqLYjdFQ5FYpPkubFCDkEb-320-80.jpg)
The Orionid meteor shower peaks Oct. 21. Here's what to expect
By Joe Rao published
For a few days centered on Oct. 21st each year, the Earth sweeps through a swarm of meteoroids known as the Orionids; widely scattered debris shed by the most famous of all comets, Halley's Comet.
![An image of the night sky in the northern hemisphere in autumn showing the constellations Cassiopeia and Ursa Major.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZSm3LhAGzqAqkeWv2noQjA-320-80.jpg)
See Queen Cassiopeia high in the sky over the Great Bear Ursa Major tonight (Oct. 14)
By Joe Rao published
The two most conspicuous star patterns whirling in their nightly course in the northern skies are the Big Dipper and the "W" of Cassiopeia the Queen.
![Waning Moon near Mars (overnight)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dzwCwicSYTHqBBZJGrpFmb-320-80.jpg)
See the moon visit fiery-colored Mars in Friday night sky (Oct. 14)
By Joe Rao published
During the late evening hours of Friday (Oct. 14), Mars will rendezvous with the moon in the night sky.
![Moon Pursues Jupiter (all night)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Cvyf9n6kNPduUP3QhQv7Fb-320-80.jpg)
See the moon visit Jupiter Saturday evening (Oct. 8)
By Joe Rao published
On Saturday evening (Oct. 8), should local weather conditions permit, you'll be able to enjoy a view of a waxing gibbous moon hovering near to the "king of the planets," Jupiter.
![Orionid meteors streak through the starry sky over Big Bend National Park in Texas, in this composite of four shots taken by astrophotographer Sergio Garcia Rill in October 2017.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2Q4GhgxBuAU6naiEYy4BW3-320-80.jpg)
The Orionid meteor shower peaks this week, but don't expect to see many 'shooting stars'
By Joe Rao last updated
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.
![This long-exposure image taken by Jesper Grønne in Denmark shows many Draconid meteors streaking out of the sky, October 2011.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2fq3F5jtKfNBExv68AFQaE-320-80.jpg)
Draconid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight: A Stargazer's Guide
By Joe Rao last updated
![Astrophotographer Sean Parker captured this composite view of the amazing Draconid meteor shower of 2015 during his night sky workshop in Tucson, Arizona. The 2018 Draconid meteor shower peaks overnight on Oct. 8 and 9.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5nyFaECNRMXDUDfCbXZtoN-320-80.jpg)
Draconid Meteor Shower 2018 Peaks Monday! Here's What to Expect.
By Joe Rao last updated
The 2018 Draconid meteor shower will peak overnight on Monday, Oct. 8, and early Tuesday, Oct. 9. Here's what to expect.
![Star-studded night sky above trees and rolling hills, the starlight is reflected in a seasonal pond below.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iSYM7RK3ut58s4gtUiqF8o-320-80.jpg)
3D sky: How astronomers measure the size, luminosity and distance of stars
By Joe Rao published
Stars differ in size, luminosity and distance from us. We discuss how astronomers measure these three values to understand the three-dimensional sky.
![A photograph of Jupiter in the night sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HdbMNWxiqfHCiu4suQVdt7-320-80.jpg)
See Jupiter at its best in the night sky as it nears closest point to Earth since 1963
By Joe Rao last updated
This marks a rather auspicious week, for we will see Jupiter loom as large and as bright as it ever can get from our earthly vantage point.
![Castlerigg Stone Circle bathed in golden light in the Lake District, Cumbria, United Kingdom.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qwCPR2XEZ5L6kdcBPADpiL-320-80.jpg)
Autumnal equinox 2022: Twilight and myths of the equinox and 6-month polar night
By Joe Rao last updated
The word equinox, from the Latin for "equal night," alludes to the fact that day and night are then of equal length worldwide on these dates. But this is not necessarily so.
![An illustration of Mars seen from space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nnY744MycfoJCsVmd6njun-320-80.jpg)
Here comes Mars! Red Planet will soon offer us its best view until 2031
By Joe Rao published
Mars, the only planet whose surface we can see in any detail from the Earth, is now moving toward the best viewing position it will provide us until the year 2031.