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
May's lunar eclipse and a wild-card meteor shower may offer double spectacle
By Joe Rao last updated
May offers an unusual skywatching bounty: the possibility of two major celestial highlights occurring within the span of a single month.
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is the legacy of Halley's Comet in May's night sky
By Joe Rao last updated
Do you remember Halley's Comet? The last time this famous object was visible was in 1986, 36 years ago.
First solar eclipse of 2022 occurs Saturday. Here's what to expect.
By Joe Rao last updated
This year, humans on Earth will experience four eclipses: two of the sun and two of the moon. The first of these is a solar eclipse set to take place on Saturday, April 30th.
Venus and Jupiter align this week in spectacular morning sky shows
By Joe Rao published
The celestial highlight in the days ahead will involve the three brightest objects in the nighttime sky: the moon and the planets Venus and Jupiter.
Elusive planet Mercury will shine after sunset in the April 2022 evening sky
By Joe Rao published
Mercury will join the evening sky of April after sunset starting on April 16. Here's how to see it.
Recently discovered Comet Pan-STARRS could be visible in April's night sky (maybe)
By Joe Rao published
Recently discovered comet Pan-STARRS is heading towards the sun in late April, but will we be able to see it?
April's sky brings dance of 4 morning planets: See Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn.
By Joe Rao published
As the planets rise in April we're given stunning views, if you know where to look.
The mighty dog constellations of the spring night sky
By Joe Rao published
Four dog constellations are now visible in the night sky, if you know where to look
Spring is typically aurora season each year. Here's why.
By Joe Rao last updated
News One celestial sight that many have never witnessed but yearn to see is the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights
Can you really purchase and name a star?
By Joe Rao published
Some companies make money out of 'selling stars', or rather selling opportunities to name them, perhaps as a gift to a loved one. But is it really worth the money?
March night sky wonders: Strange sights to see every year
By Joe Rao published
Reference A look into the March night sky for some sky objects with unusual solar system planets, stars and constellations.
Tour Orion the Hunter as we visit a constellation icon
By Joe Rao published
A look at the constellation of Orion: its history, shape and position
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.
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