Borrego Sun - Since 1949

While leading one of my popular Night Sky Tours recently, our discussion somehow turned to the constellation of Draco, the dragon. Draco isn't one of the top 10 stellar groupings that people can name, but I was surprised that, when... — Updated 10/2/2020

Scientists are in the business of classifying everything from butterflies to rocks to clouds to stars. And sometimes, when new understanding becomes available, they must go back and reclassify things to make them better fit the... — Updated 9/21/2020

When the full moon rises in the east around sunset on Sept. 1, many stargazers around the globe will be watching. To the eye, the full moon commands respect. Not only does its rising orb appear much larger than it actually is – a... — Updated 9/17/2020

They say nothing can live forever, but I strongly disagree. Post something absurd on the internet, and I guarantee it will never go away. In fact, it will come back to life time and time and time again. A perfect example is the... — Updated 9/11/2020

At this time of year, early-evening stargazers can tour one of the richest pieces of celestial real estate: the Milky Way. Viewing the Milky Way on a clear August night is a truly marvelous experience. Wispy bunches of stars – s... — Updated 9/3/2020

Every year around this time, I can expect my email inbox to overflow and my phone to begin ringing. Folks who spend time outdoors during early-evening hours in mid-January frequently notice a brilliantly sparkling diamond low in... — Updated 1/11/2017

I've been gazing skyward for more than five decades, and in that time I've learned a few things. One is that novice stargazers have some deeply ingrained misconceptions about the heavens. For example, many think that we cannot see... — Updated 1/6/2017

If you missed the Geminid meteor shower of mid-December (and most of us did because of bright moonlight), you've got another chance. Not with the Geminids, of course -- they won't return until next December -- but with the... — Updated 12/29/2016

It's December, and with it comes colder temperatures throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere and the most prolific meteor shower of the year: the Geminid. Never heard of it? Well, that's not a huge surprise. If you ask beginning... — Updated 12/8/2016

One of the wonderful features of the nighttime sky is its timelessness. Want to see the stars as viewed by sky watchers of old? Simply step outdoors and look up. On December evenings, you can see a truly ancient constellation,... — Updated 12/1/2016

Well, it's that time of year again. The holidays are barreling toward us like an out-of-control sleigh. If you're considering presenting that special stargazer in your life with a telescope this holiday season -- or buying one for... — Updated 11/23/2016

Imagine that you stopped at your favorite Italian restaurant and ordered a 14-inch pizza. Now, suppose they brought you a 16-inch pizza by mistake. Think you would notice the difference immediately? If so, would you call the... — Updated 11/9/2016

How many stars are there in the universe? No one knows, of course, but Dr. Carl Sagan, on his popular 1980s television mini-series "Cosmos," said that there are "more stars in the universe than there are grains of sand on all the... — Updated 11/2/2016

Ghosts and goblins and ghouls, oh, my! That's what many of us will be thinking this week and next as Halloween arrives and trick-or-treaters pound excitedly on our doors. We see costumes of monsters, superheroes, politicians and... — Updated 10/27/2016

It was on the first day of the 19th century that the Italian priest, mathematician and astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi found a strange object in the sky that no one had ever seen before -- an "intruder" among the familiar stars of the... — Updated 10/13/2016

If you haven't yet checked out Venus glistening low in the southwestern sky at dusk, now would be a great time to do so. Many people might have missed seeing it there because of low-lying clouds or mountains blocking the view. But... — Updated 10/3/2016

After the flooding that some of our nation experienced this summer, I almost hesitate to bring this up. But of the 88 constellations that fill our night sky, 15 are somehow associated with water. Of those 15, several shine in our... — Updated 9/23/2016

After a long, hot summer, it's nice to know that the seasons are changing and cooler temperatures are finally on their way. Before we know it, many of us will be whining about the cold and the snow, and wishing for the return of su... — Updated 9/20/2016

If you're looking to score some points with your sweetie, here's a great idea: Late on the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 15, or Friday, Sept. 16, pack a romantic picnic and a blanket and head toward a hilltop with a nice, clear view... — Updated 9/8/2016

While leading one of my popular Night Sky Tours this past week, our discussion somehow turned to the constellation of Draco, the dragon. Now, Draco isn't one of the top 10 stellar groupings that people can name, but I was... — Updated 8/31/2016

Six Planets and the Moon Week of August 14-20, 2016 One of the coolest sights of the nighttime sky is one that's completely invisible -- unless, of course, you know where to look. Stargazers who understand the workings of our... — Updated 8/17/2016

Few sights are as thrilling as the fiery spectacle known as a falling star, also called a shooting star or meteor. Astronomers cannot predict exactly when or where a meteor will appear, but sky watchers head far from the city... — Updated 8/4/2016

It's been quite a while since we've seen the planet Venus glistening in the western sky at dusk. It has spent much of the past year on the opposite side of its orbit, rising and setting before the sun, but now it's back in the... — Updated 7/31/2016

I have a friend who swears that he can tell the distances to the stars just by looking at them, but he's never convincingly demonstrated to me his amazing powers. The reason is that it just isn't possible. Oh, sure, anyone could... — Updated 7/22/2016

Week of July 17-23, 2016 There are few things in nature I enjoy more than watching a massive full moon rising over the horizon. This is truly a treat everyone should experience at least once, and when you do you'll surely raise... — Updated 7/22/2016