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Contrary to portrayal in bad southwestern art, wolves do not exhibit a heightened tendency to howl specifically at the moon. Rather, their howling is an expression of excitement and contentment. As creatures well-adapted to winter conditions, wolves are often observed howling during the crisp, cold months, a behavior that resonates[...]

Reorganize! Declutter! Repair broken things and put on a fresh coat of paint! Mercury Retrograde is of particular interest to *astrologically* minded folks, and some people who have to deal with communications technology. See URL for more info...

In 2024, the waning gibbous moon will block out the fainter meteors. On a dark, moonless night, the Orionids exhibit a maximum of about 10 to 20 meteors per hour, peaking on the night of the 21st and morning of the 22nd. These fast-moving meteors sometimes produce bright fireballs, which[...]

The full moon closest to the Summer Solstice (for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere) is known as the Mead Moon. In ancient traditions, drinking mead under the 'Mead Moon' would promote healing, fertility and prosperity throughout the year. So let's crack open a bottle of honey wine!

Approximately every 71 years, Comet Pons-Brooks, noted for its distinctive shape reminiscent of "devil horns" and sometimes compared to the Millennium Falcon from “Star Wars,” completes its orbit around the sun. As it nears the sun, the comet becomes brighter and develops a tail. In early April, this comet may[...]

Especially if you live in North America, this is the chance of a lifetime. Totality with be visible in the 100-mile wide path that cuts through much of Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Don't snooze on this perspective-shifting experience.[...]

Let's find alien life in the waters of Jupiter's moon, Europa! No, really, let's have a look. NASA hasn't announced a date yet, but October 2024 is the speculative launch window for the Europa Clipper mission. The mission aims to analyze Europa's habitability by studying its ice shell, subsurface water,[...]

"Earth at Perihelion" refers to the point in Earth's orbit where it is nearest from the Sun, a phenomenon that occurs annually. During perihelion, Earth will be at its minimum distance from the Sun, which slightly intensifies the sunlight received but has a minimal impact on global temperatures due to[...]

If you are reading this, then your calendar is now full of astronomical sightseeing advice for 2024. This includes, of course, the Great American Solar Eclipse of April 8, 2024. (Time to make plans if you haven't already!) Many subscribers wrote me to ask if I could include the "names"[...]

On August 14, Mars and Jupiter will have a close conjunction, only 0.3 degrees apart, visible in the constellation Taurus. This event is notable for the brightness of the planets and their minimal separation, making it the most prominent conjunction of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, the planets will[...]