Astronomy Magazine

Astronomy is a monthly magazine from the United States that focuses on the wonders of astronomy. Aimed at amateur astronomers, it features sections on stargazing, showcases astrophotographs submitted by readers, and includes articles on astronomy and astrophysics that are easy for anyone to understand, even those without a science background.

International, Trade/B2B, Consumer

English

Magazine

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#96099

United States

#39365

Science and Education/Astronomy

#19

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Failed Soviet-era spacecraft returned to Earth on Saturday

2 days ago | astronomy.com | Samantha Hill

After failing to make it past Earth orbit on March 31, 1972, the remains of a Venus mission launched by the former Soviet Union circled our planet for years and was given the name Cosmos (or Kosmos) 482. While the rocket stage and other pieces returned to Earth weeks later, the lander itself made an uncontrolled landing in the Indian Ocean over the weekend.
The Sky Today on Monday, May 12: May’s Full Moon, Mars, and the Beehive Cluster

3 days ago | astronomy.com | Alison Klesman

Full Moon occurs at 12:56 P.M. EDT this afternoon. May’s Full Moon is also called the Flower Moon and because our satellite is still near apogee, it will appear some 29’ across, slightly smaller than the Full Moon’s average size (about 31’) in the sky. The Full Moon rises roughly opposite the Sun, so Luna will emerge above the southwestern horizon shortly after sunset this evening.
The Sky Today on Sunday, May 11: Callisto grazes Jupiter

4 days ago | astronomy.com | Alison Klesman

The gas giant Jupiter still dominates the constellation Taurus as it sets in the west after sunset. Jupiter now stands just to the right of Alheka (Zeta Tauri), one of the tips of the Bull’s two horns. The magnitude –1.9 planet remains the brightest point of light in the constellation, making it easy to center in your telescope tonight.
The Sky Today on Saturday, May 10: The Moon meets Spica

5 days ago | astronomy.com | Alison Klesman

The Moon passes 0.4° south of Spica at 4 A.M. EDT. The best time for observing this pairing is in the few hours between midnight and 3 A.M. local daylight time, when they are still comfortably high above the horizon. At that time, turn west to see the nearly Full Moon (now 95 percent lit) hanging just below Spica. The pair lies in southern Virgo the Maiden, the sky’s second-largest constellation after Hydra.
Michael’s Miscellany: Leo the Great

6 days ago | astronomy.com | Michael E. Bakich

Congratulations to all Catholics. Yesterday, your College of Cardinals elected a new pope. In honor of him taking the name Leo XIV, I thought this would be a good time to tell you some facts about the constellation Leo the Lion. Actually, to commemorate the new pope, 14 facts. I) Leo is a springtime constellation in the Northern Hemisphere. It lies south of the Big Dipper, the most recognized asterism in the constellation Ursa Major the Great Bear.
The Sky Today on Friday, May 9: Metis reaches opposition

6 days ago | astronomy.com | Alison Klesman

Asteroid 9 Metis reaches opposition at 2 A.M. EDT in the constellation Libra — not far from Vesta, which reached opposition a week ago. Visible from sundown to sunup, the best time to look for Metis is around local midnight, when it is transiting and stands highest in the southern sky. Metis is shining at magnitude 9.7, much fainter than Vesta. Still, binoculars or any small scope should show it some 4.4° east-northeast of Zubenelgenubi, Libra’s stunning double alpha star.
The Sky This Week from May 9 to 16: May’s Full Flower Moon blooms

6 days ago | astronomy.com | Alison Klesman

Sky This Week is brought to you in part by Celestron. Friday, May 9Asteroid 9 Metis reaches at opposition at 2 A.M. EDT in the constellation Libra. The 10th-magnitude main-belt world is visible with binoculars or a telescope all night from sunset to sunrise. It stands highest around local midnight when it appears in the south, just 4.4° east-northeast of Zubenelgenubi, Libra’s alpha star.
Michael’s Miscellany: Dark adaption

1 week ago | astronomy.com | Michael E. Bakich

Today I want to talk about something beginning observers tend to overlook. It a process of the human eye called dark adaptation. In terrestrial terms, it helps us see better at night and in dark places. That makes it important for our safety. For amateur astronomers, however, it’s important because it allows us to see fainter celestial objects. During dark adaptation, the eyes increase their sensitivity to low levels of light.
10 women who changed astronomy

1 week ago | astronomy.com | Samantha Hill

Women have long contributed meaningful scientific discoveries to the field of astronomy; however, men have primarily dominated the vocation. As of 2019, women earn about 40 percent of the Ph.D.s granted in the field of astronomy, but that has not always been the case. And there are many cases of women working in astronomy only to have their findings overshadowed or derided in some capacity.
The Sky Today on Thursday, May 8: The swimming Swan Nebula

1 week ago | astronomy.com | Alison Klesman

The Swan Nebula (M17) looks through smaller instruments like the eponymous bird, with a long, arched neck. Credit: Juan Manuel Fluxà (Flickr, CC BY 2.0) High in the southern sky around 4 A.M. local daylight time is the stunning Swan Nebula (M17), also known as the Omega Nebula. It glides serenely through northern Sagittarius, far above the spout of the Teapot asterism as it sits right-side up in the sky this morning.