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
How frequent is the full Harvest Moon?
By Joe Rao last updated
The Harvest Moon is always the full moon closest to the time of the autumnal equinox.
How dark is your night sky? An observer's guide
By Joe Rao published
Just one in five Americans lives under a sky dark enough to make out all four stars of the Little Dipper's bowl with the naked eye. Are you one of them?
Book reviews for three guides to the stars and constellations
By Joe Rao published
In this column, I'll provide reviews of three books that I consulted during my formative years in the hobby.
Farewell, Jupiter! The gas giant will disappear from the evening sky this month
By Joe Rao published
It will soon be time to bid a fond adieu to an object that has been a fixture in our evening sky since late last summer: the planet Jupiter.
The top 5 deep-space objects to look for in the winter night sky
By Joe Rao published
Check out the most beautiful star clusters in the winter night sky.
How to spot Canis Major, the big dog of winter
By Joe Rao last updated
The constellation of Canis Major is visible in the winter sky this month.
Space Force satellite launch could create a luminous cloud in tonight's evening sky
By Joe Rao published
Skywatchers in the Western Hemisphere may see a fuel dump from a satellite that launched earlier today on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
Brightening Comet Leonard may be visible without a telescope. Look near Venus.
By Joe Rao published
Skywatchers will have a chance to see Comet Leonard — the brightest comet of 2021 — near Venus in the evening sky tonight (Dec. 17).
Comet Leonard will light up the sky this month — here's how to see it
By Joe Rao last updated
It's unusual to see a comet at its best: Most comets are brightest nearest the sun, just when they're most difficult to spot against the sun's glare or hidden below the horizon.
Here's what the only total solar eclipse of 2021 was like from a cruise ship near Antarctica
By Joe Rao published
Clouds blocked the view of the only total solar eclipse for 2021 for 200 passengers on an Antarctic exploration cruise ship Dec. 4.
The only total solar eclipse of 2021 will cross Antarctica early Saturday. Here are its stages explained.
By Joe Rao last updated
Early Saturday morning, a total solar eclipse will darken skies at the bottom of the world.
The Beaver Moon partial lunar eclipse on Nov. 19 will be the longest of the century. Here are its stages explained.
By Joe Rao last updated
Here are the stages of the Beaver Moon lunar eclipse of Nov. 19, which will be the longest lunar eclipse this century.
Beaver Moon eclipse weather forecast: Here's what to expect in the US for the nearly total lunar eclipse
By Joe Rao last updated
Much of the Nation's midsection should be in fine position weatherwise, to get a view of the upcoming "almost" total lunar eclipse scheduled for late Thursday night/early Friday morning (Nov. 18-19).
How the Beaver Moon lunar eclipse of Nov. 19 has shades of 1967
By Joe Rao last updated
Our upcoming lunar eclipse has a direct connection to an eclipse that occurred in the late 1960s.
The Leonid meteor shower peaks tonight! But don't expect to see much.
By Joe Rao published
The Leonids are likely to be a major disappointment in 2021, partly because of the expected lack of any significant activity, but mainly because of the full moon.
Some celestial yardsticks are visible in the night sky
By Joe Rao published
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.
Let's explore the personalities of some of the brightest stars in our sky
By Joe Rao published
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 Taurid meteor shower of 2021 is peaking now. Here's what to expect.
By Joe Rao last updated
The annual Taurid meteor shower made of bits of the comet Encke is peaking Friday, Nov. 5.
Brilliant Venus is putting on a sky show! How to track it for the rest of the year
By Joe Rao published
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.
An overview of the fall skies of 2021
By Joe Rao published
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!
How to spot the 'elusive' planet Mercury in the night sky this month
By Joe Rao published
For the next two and a half weeks, early-morning skywatchers will have an excellent opportunity to spot the so-called "elusive planet" — Mercury.