Search
Spooky Tale at the Star Party
A spooky tale awaits at the 15th Annual Michiana Star Party (MSP-15) where you can encounter ghoulish intrigue on several nights before Halloween. On Thursday, October 23, a 6:30 pm sunset segues into twilight, and a two-day old moon will predictably follow the sun to the horizon. Join me for twilight at the Star Party, between sunset and darkness, when creatures of the night come out. Together we'll stalk Corona Borealis , the Northern Crown. A cemetery awaits the arri
Oct 143 min read
In Autumn, Find Corona Borealis Left of Big Dipper
Finding Corona Borealis- -site of an upcoming nova --in late autumn gets more challenging, for the constellation is low in the evening twilight, dimming as it sets in the thick air mass near the horizon. You may not have the guide stars Arcturus and Izar to find Gemma, (a.k.a. Alphecca), the gem star of the Northern Crown. The Big Dipper comes to the rescue. Nights in October open with the Big Dipper appearing upright, resting near the horizon to keep its contents from spil
Oct 131 min read
Celestial Targets Transition From Evening to Morning Sky
Sometimes a stargazer's target transition from an evening sky to a morning sky. For example, from blog post October Comet Near Corona Borealis : Opening October, Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon is under the Big Dipper in the morning sky, but transitions mid-month to an evening target. In late autumn, Corona Borealis (CrB) starts the evening low above the western horizon about 45 minutes after sunset. Through the darkness the sky appears to rotate anti-clockwise, or "starwise," aroun
Oct 111 min read
October Star Party in Michiana
The 15th Annual Michiana Star Party (MSP-15) hosted by Michiana Astronomical Society will be held at Potawatomi Wildlife Park on October 23-26, 2025. A star party is an opportunity for astronomers and hobbyists to set up telescopes overnight in a dark site to observe the wonders of the universe. Even if you don't own a telescope, the public is invited to attend to take in the spectacle. On Saturday, October 25, astronomers will speak about intriguing exoplanets and star fo
Oct 72 min read
October Comet Near Corona Borealis
One of several comets passing through the inner solar system in October 2025 will be in the starfield containing the constellation Corona Borealis (CrB). So if you are regularly imaging CrB in hopes of catching an anticipated nova there, as I am , you may capture a bonus comet in the field of view. Opening October, Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon is under the Big Dipper in the morning sky, but transitions mid-month to an evening target. After October 20, its closest point of appro
Oct 42 min read
