Greg Redfern

4 days ago | wtop.com | Greg Redfern

We had a chance to see the northern lights (aurora borealis) this past week. What you may not know is that the April 16 geomagnetic storm that was causing the aurora was also sending powerful electrical currents into the ground around the D.C. region. Now, we can gear up for another sky show. The April Lyrids meteor shower will continue through April 28, but peaks on the night of April 21. From a dark sky site with no moon, one can expect about a dozen meteors per hour.

1 week ago | wtop.com | Greg Redfern

Earth is experiencing a level G3 geomagnetic storm Wednesday that will produce aurora borealis, known as the northern lights, after it gets dark. Aurora chasers in the D.C. region should check the latest aurora forecast at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center website. For the best chance of seeing the northern lights, get outside after dark to a place far from bright lights with a clear view of the northern horizon.

2 weeks ago | wtop.com | Greg Redfern

There have been some wacky weather swings in the D.C. region these past few weeks and the clouds will dominate until Sunday, which will likely prevent seeing the night sky and moon until then. April’s full moon is called the full pink moon in honor of the flowers of spring.

3 weeks ago | wtop.com | Greg Redfern

“What’s up in the sky?” is a recurring feature and publishes on the first of every month. You can find it on WTOP’s The Space Place. Email Greg your space questions and he might answer them in the next edition. Welcome to WTOP’s monthly feature: “What’s up in the sky?” Each month will feature the best the sky has to offer stargazers regarding the Moon, planets and stars. Space related events that might interest you taking place in the DMV will be included as well.

3 weeks ago | wtop.com | Greg Redfern

The month of March marks my 19th year at WTOP bringing you the latest on space, astronomy and sky happenings. Two weeks ago, we were getting ready for the total lunar eclipse of the full worm moon, which was spectacular on the Amazon River! The latest development in this current eclipse season will take place Saturday for D.C. area residents, with viewers graced with a very short duration partial solar eclipse. Elsewhere, eclipse viewers will see much more of the sun being obscured by the moon.