April 7, 2017 Jupiter has been a source of wonder since Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei first pointed his small telescope at the gas giant on January 7, 1610. Galileo saw only three of Jupiter's four large moons that night but he spotted the fourth the next night. And by watching their motions over several nights, he noticed that they shifted positions and determined they were indeed natural satellites of Jupiter. What would Galileo have thought of the detail we can see on the planet with even modest modern telescopes? Spotting Jupiter, appearing as a bright creamy-colored star, is easy with...

April 20-23, 2017 Let's look up together for the Lyrid meteor shower! The Lyrid meteor shower happens each year from about April 16 to 26 - however most meteors, also known as 'shooting stars' associated with this shower, appear on April 22. These streaks of light are mostly caused by sand grain-sized particles slamming into Earth's atmosphere at extreme speeds. The friction with the air causes the meteors to burn up in a fraction of a second. A shower occurs when Earth goes through a swarm of these particles in space which have been left behind by comets. As these...

April 1 - 30, 2017 Projects for the keen eyed observer toting binoculars and camera Every GAM, we run a series of Observing Challenges, developed by The Astronomical League . Whether you are a complete novice to astronomy or a seasoned veteran there will be something for you! Some of the challenges can be done in a night and some will take the whole month. If you are a sidewalk astronomer or part of an astronomy club you might like to run events to help people complete the challenges. If are planning an Observing Challenge event, don't forget to register...

Join the fun and share with the world! Astronomers Without Borders wants to show your Global Star Party event to the rest of our global community. That evening we'll take viewers on a live tour of GSP events. It's the biggest show on Earth - and beyond! Interested? Register your GSP event, then fill out the form below for more information and to get in on the action. You can make a video to be shared, or you can join us live! We'll tell you how. If you're chosen to go live with us we'll bring your event into our...

Every GAM, we run a series of Observing Challenges, developed by The Astronomical League . Whether you are a complete novice to astronomy or a seasoned veteran there will be something for you! Some of the challenges can be done in a night and some will take the whole month. If you are a sidewalk astronomer or part of an astronomy club you might like to run events to help people complete the challenges. If are planning an Observing Challenge event, don't forget to register your event ! Discuss your observations, ask and answer questions and meet fellow astronomers working...