WINTER BEGINS today, December 21, 2021, at 10:59 AM EST. This is the precise moment that the Sun reaches its maximum southern declination. At this moment, the Sun “stands” and reverses its apparent southerly motion and begins to head north again, as seen from a geocentric perspective. Winter begins for the northern hemisphere, and the days begin to grow longer… Continue reading
WEBINAR REPLAY! Jay Ryan of Classical Astronomy hosts a tour of the evening constellations visible during the month of April, 2021. This video is adapted from a live webinar presented April 7. Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter for more information on future webinars and other sky events. Continue reading
(From the November 29, 2020 edition of the Classical Astronomy Update newsletter….) December 15, 2020 will mark the 30th anniversary of Classical Astronomy. On that date in 1990, I was 29 years old and we were living in the Washington, D.C. area. During the DC years I discovered Sky & Telescope magazine and amateur astronomy, which changed the course of… Continue reading
(The following is a revised version of an Update article from 2008. ) One of our most frequently asked questions, especially around this time of year, is “what was the Star of Bethlehem?” I don’t like this question and always wince every time it comes up. The truth is, I don’t know the answer, and in fact, no one else… Continue reading
If you’ve been reading this newsletter or following our Facebook page in 2020, you’re aware that the bright planets Jupiter and Saturn have been drawing closer, approaching their “Grand Conjunction,” an alignment that only occurs every 20 years. (Check out our archive of previous issues to learn more.) The time is quickly approaching so keep your eyes on this pair… Continue reading
COMET THROUGH BINOCS: This is my “artist’s depiction” of the view of Comet NEOWISE as seen through binoculars. It was visible with the unaided eye, but we were viewing over water and mist was forming. To spot this comet in the evening, get to a very flat horizon, free of trees, buildings or mountains. Look to the northwest, at least… Continue reading
The Earth reaches its point of aphelion at July 4, 2020, 7:34 AM EDT. At this precise moment, the Earth is at its greatest distance from the Sun of any time of the year. This occurs in the summertime over the northern hemisphere. Some people mistakenly believe that summer is caused to the Earth being close to the Sun, but… Continue reading
