The Night Sky Guide

Sky This Month

What's actually up: the bright planets, meteor showers, the Moon's phases, and the season's best constellations — a running guide to where to point your scope and when.

Sky This Month

9 guides
Sky This Month

How to Spot Satellites and the Space Station From Your Backyard

Learn how to see the ISS from your backyard, use pass-prediction tools, and tell satellites from planes. Includes Starlink train tips.

July 2, 2026
Sky This Month

How to Watch a Meteor Shower: A Year-Round Guide

Learn how to watch a meteor shower with tips on timing, dark skies, radiant position, and which annual showers to target throughout the year.

June 29, 2026
Sky This Month

What Are Conjunctions and Oppositions? A Planet-Watcher's Guide

Planetary conjunction explained: what conjunctions, oppositions, and elongations mean, when to look for them, and what you can realistically see.

June 29, 2026
Sky This Month

Lunar and Solar Eclipses: What They Are and How to Watch

Learn what causes an eclipse, the key difference between lunar and solar types, and exactly how to watch each one safely from your backyard.

June 24, 2026
Sky This Month

How to See the Northern Lights: Planning Your First Aurora Viewing

Learn how to see the northern lights with a beginner's checklist: KP index alerts, dark site tips, what direction to face, and how to photograph auroras.

June 23, 2026
Sky This Month

How to See the Milky Way: Timing, Location, and Tips

Learn the best time to see the Milky Way, where to go for dark skies, and what to actually expect when you get there. A practical guide for beginners.

June 19, 2026
Sky This Month

The Best Constellations to See in Each Season

A Northern Hemisphere guide to the best seasonal constellations — spring, summer, autumn, winter, and year-round stars worth knowing.

June 14, 2026
Sky This Month

How to Find the Visible Planets in the Night Sky

Learn how to find planets in the sky tonight using naked-eye clues, the ecliptic, and free apps. Covers Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

June 10, 2026
Sky This Month

The Moon's Phases Explained and How They Affect Stargazing

Learn why the moon has phases, what each of the 8 lunar phases looks like, and how to plan better stargazing sessions around the lunar cycle.

June 6, 2026

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