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Astronomy for Beginners

Planet Earth

Supermoon: What It Really Is, Why It Happens, and When to Catch the Next One

A supermoon is a full moon that lines up with the Moon's closest approach to Earth, making it look a little bigger and noticeably brighter than an ordinary full moon. At its best, a supermoon can appear up to 14% larger and about 30%...
Astronomy for Beginners

What Is a Constellation? A Beginner’s Guide to the Sky’s 88 Star Patterns

A constellation is a group of stars that forms a recognizable pattern in the night sky, one we've given a name, usually after a mythological figure, animal, or object. There are 88 of them officially recognized, and together they map out the entire sky....
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Astronomy for Beginners

The Taurus Constellation: How to Find the Bull, the Fiery Star Aldebaran, and Two Famous Star Clusters

Some constellations are quiet and subtle. Taurus is not one of them. This is...
Astronomy for Beginners

The 12 Zodiac Constellations: The Real Astronomy Behind the Star Signs

Everyone knows their star sign. It's on birthday cards, dating profiles, and the back...
Astronomy for Beginners

The Leo Constellation: How to Spot the Lion of the Spring Sky and Its Bright Star Regulus

Most constellations take a generous imagination to see. Someone tells you a random scattering...
Astronomy for Beginners

The Big Dipper: How to Find Ursa Major’s Famous Seven Stars and Use Them to Read the Whole Sky

Ask almost anyone to point out a star pattern, and there's a good chance...
Astronomy for Beginners

The Little Dipper: How to Find Ursa Minor and the North Star That Sits at Its Tip

Almost everyone has heard of the Little Dipper, and almost everyone assumes it's easy...
Astronomy for Beginners

How to Tell Which Planets Are Visible Tonight: A Simple Guide to Spotting Them With Your Own Eyes

You've probably done it without even thinking. You glance up on your way inside,...
Astronomy for Beginners

What Is a Planet Alignment? The Truth About “Planet Parades” and How to See One

Every so often the internet lights up with breathless headlines about a rare planetary...
Astronomy for Beginners

The Moon Phases Explained: A Simple Guide to Why the Moon Changes Shape Every Night

Look up at the Moon on two different nights and it can seem like...
Astronomy for Beginners

How Long Is a Light-Year? The Cosmic Yardstick That Measures Distance, Not Time

Say the phrase "a light-year away" out loud and it sounds like a stretch...
Astronomy for Beginners

The Scorpius Constellation: How to Find the Scorpion and Its Fiery Red Heart

Here's a rare treat in astronomy. Most constellations look nothing like the thing they're...
Astronomy for Beginners

The Leo Constellation: How to Spot the Lion and the Backward Question Mark in Its Mane

Most constellations need a generous imagination to see the thing they're named after. Leo...
Astronomy for Beginners

The Gemini Constellation: How to Find the Twins and Their Two Bright Stars

Some constellations ask you to squint and use your imagination. Gemini practically introduces itself....
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Latest articles

Planet Earth

Supermoon: What It Really Is, Why It Happens, and When to Catch the Next One

A supermoon is a full moon that lines up with the Moon's closest approach...
Astronomy for Beginners

What Is a Constellation? A Beginner’s Guide to the Sky’s 88 Star Patterns

A constellation is a group of stars that forms a recognizable pattern in the...
Planets & Solar System

How Many Planets Are There? The Real Answer Is Bigger Than Eight

There are eight planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn,...
Galaxies & Deep Space

What Is a Galaxy? A Simple Guide to the Great Islands of Stars

A galaxy is an enormous collection of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter, all...