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Mira Brightening
The variable star Mira is brightening after months of being out of sight in the constellation Cetus the Sea Monster. Mira, root word for miracle, is different in that it is a prominent star in Cetus but is sometimes not visible. Observers can record its rising brightness and compare it to nearby comparison stars, then submit their results to the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). An infographic from the Astronomical League gives guidance on how to fi
Jan 84 min read
Predicting the Stars in 2026
Astronomy is in the business of making predictions. Not the predictions of astrology and horoscopes, but the insights of science. In a simple form, we watch the sun rise and set, so we anticipate it following that tradition on ensuing days. Yet some cultures conceived that around the winter solstice the sun might not come back with its life-sustaining presence. All it takes is one non-occurrence for a scientific theory to be thrown into the tumult of uncertainty. As we l
Jan 13 min read
Observing Variable Stars With AAVSO
If you're new to observing variable stars, which are stars that changes brightness over time, the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) has a useful on-ramp. Citizen Sky supports collaboration with professional astronomers by helping you to find variable stars, measure their brightness, and submit your observations. Start your pursuit of variable stars with the AAVSO's 10-Star Training Tutorial Available under the Online Resources in multiple languages,
Nov 21, 20254 min read
Pumpkinova at Michiana Star Party
Corona Borealis shined both as the constellation in the night sky and as Pumpkinova at the Michiana Astronomical Society's (MAS) 15th Annual Star Party. MSP-15 launched on Thursday and Friday nights with clear skies and multiple telescope setups for astronomy enthusiasts and visitors at Potawatomi Wildlife Park on October 23-26, 2025. Lit from behind, seven holes drilled into a pumpkin define u-shaped Corona Borealis, with the Northern Crown and Comet Lemmon visible in the
Nov 11, 20251 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 13, 20251 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 11, 20251 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 4, 20252 min read
Corona Borealis Nightly
Above video shows Corona Borealis (CrB) images in anticipation of recurring nova from 2024 JUN 14 through 2025 OCT 14. That's over three hundred clear-enough nights in 30 seconds. Images below show images from 2024 JUN 14 through last update: 2025 AUG 23, with most recent first. Note: Unable to delete last two images on bottom, which are repeats.
Aug 16, 20251 min read
Celestial Fireworks for Fourth of July
For a Fourth of July holiday highlight you can use the moon to prepare for next year's Semiquincentennial party. As fireworks celebrate Independence Day in 2025, the star Spica is just a few degrees away from the moon. In 2026, at 250 light years away the star Spica is America's Semiquincentennial Star . Light that left Spica in 1776 at the founding of the nation, traveling at 186,000 miles per second, will just be reaching our eyes in 2026! On July 3, 2025, find the star
Jun 27, 20252 min read
One Year Later, Almost 200 Clear-Enough Nights
Mid-June 2024 I took my first image of Corona Borealis with an iPhone camera , for I had been hoping to catch a star explode as a nova ...
Jun 14, 20252 min read
