Corner the Great Square of Pegasus

The Summer Triangle may be the most famous seasonal star pattern, but during early August evenings another geometrically-inclined asterism rises: the Great Square of Pegasus! Find out how to spot it, and what objects to look for in and around the constellation Pegasus in our latest article!

Join NASA's Astrophoto Challenges: M87

NASA's latest Astrophoto Challenges event has started, and runs from July 1 - August 16! The subject: M87, the famed active galaxy whose center is home to a supermassive black hole, the event horizon of which was imaged by the Event Horizon Telescope. Find out how you can join inside!

NSN Webinar Series: NASA's Lucy Mission to the Trojan Asteroids

Join the NASA Night Sky Network on Wednesday, August 18 at 6:00pm Pacific Time (9:00pm Eastern) to hear Dr. Cathy Olkin give an update on NASA's Lucy Mission to visit Jupiter's Trojan Asteroids.

Observe the Milky Way and Great Rift

Summer skies bring glorious views of the Milky Way to observers blessed with dark skies. Find tips on how to observe our galaxy - along with the dark dust clouds of the Great Rift - inside!

Free Online Workshop: Confidence and Curiosity: Girls at the Telescope

Did you miss our earlier sessions? Fear not! The Night Sky Network and Reach for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts have teamed up to offer another round of free online workshops for amateur astronomers about the new Space Science badges and best practices for engaging Girl Scouts with astronomy.

Astronomers: Exoplanet Watch Needs You!

Want to help NASA find exoplanets? You can use your own telescope to observe transit events and share your data as part of the Exoplanet Watch citizen science project! Details inside.

You Can Help Discover Exoplanets!

Hunting for exoplanets is not just for astronomers with years of training and specialized equipment-you too can join the hunt for worlds around other stars! There are many citizen science projects you can join to help find more planets and assist in the search for life around other stars. Amateur astronomers also help confirm exoplanets from their own backyards, and have even made a few discoveries of their own. Find out more inside.

Astrophotography With Your Smartphone

Have you ever wanted to take your own beautiful astrophotos, but felt intimidated? Anyone can take astrophotos, even if the only camera you have is on your smartphone - you just need to practice! Find out how you can do smartphone astrophotography in our latest article!

Safe Solar Eclipse Viewing Tips

Want to safely observe the Sun during an eclipse? We have a few tips on how to do so without endangering your most useful observing tool-your eyesight!

Find an Observing Program for You with the Astronomical League!

Restart your interest in observing! Get to the next level in your skills! Get recognized for your long nights under the stars! Join an observing program from the Astronomical League! There are observing programs for astronomers of all levels and interests-from the most beginning beginner surrounded by light pollution, to the most advanced astronomer under dark clear skies, there truly is an observing program for everyone. Find out more inside!

Virgo's Galactic Harvest

Virgo is prominently featured in the skies of early May, and is host to a plethora of galaxies. Learn a great trick for spotting Spica, dive into the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, and find a fun cosmic distance scale activity, in our latest article!

Member Tip: NSN Site Search

Have you ever needed to find something on the NSN website? Hopefully you used the "Site search" feature - and if not, find out how, inside!

Citizen Science Resources

Looking for ways to engage with community science programs during Citizen Science Month? We have a few tips and links to some great NASA programs and resources inside!

Watch the Lion: Celestial Wonders in Leo

Leo is a prominent sight for stargazers in April. Its famous sickle, punctuated by the bright star Regulus, draws many a beginning stargazer's eyes. Leo's prominence invites deeper looks into some of its celestial delights, including a great double star and famous galactic trio. Find out how to spot these objects, as well as join some fun community science projects,inside!

2020 Outreach Award Pin & Certificate Information

It's time for the annual NSN Outreach Award Pins! Award your club's volunteers for their hard work during the past year with these these shiny metal pins and custom award certificates. Details on how to order this year's comet-themed pin, along with tips for customizing and printing out the associated award certificate, are inside.

Taking the Dog Stars for a Springtime Walk: Sirius and Procyon

March skies feature many dazzling stars and constellations but two of the brightest stars are the focus of our attention this month: Sirius and Procyon, the dog stars! Discover more about these two nearby star systems inside.

Landing on Mars: A Tricky Feat!

The Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter will land in Mars's Jezero crater on February 18, 2021, NASA's latest mission to explore the red planet. Landing on Mars is an incredibly difficult feat that has challenged engineers for decades: while missions like Curiosity have succeeded, its surface is littered with the wreckage of many failures as well. Why is landing on Mars so difficult? Find out in our latest article!

Nominate Your Favorite Astronomer for an Award from the ASP!

Nominate an amazing astronomer for an award from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific! Give an award to someone that truly deserves it: your mentor, a fellow amateur who has made incredible scientific contributions to astronomy, or your club's outreach superstar! The nomination deadline is March 1, 2021; find out how to nominate your favorite hard-working astronomers inside.

Coordinator Tip: Adjust Your Calendar's Display Preferences

Too many events on your calendar? Want to include nearby club events? Wondering why a virtual event from across the country is on your calendar? Check out how to adjust your club's NSN calendar preferences inside!

Light Pollution Resources from NSN

We have created a few handy resources to help you educate others about sky quality and light pollution. Check out a few handouts and activities inside, and help others enjoy clear, dark skies!

Check Your Sky Quality with Orion!

Have you ever wondered how many stars you can see at night? A few thousand stars can be seen in the sky at once by lucky observers under the darkest skies! But most people don't enjoy such dark skies - and knowing your sky's brightness will help you navigate the night sky. Find out how you can use the stars of bright constellations to determine your sky's brightness inside!

Visitors to Both Jupiter and Saturn

Have you observed Jupiter and Saturn moving closer to each other over the past few months? While the two worlds may appear close, in reality they are hundreds of millions of miles apart. Despite this vast distance, a select few NASA missions have visited both worlds! Find out more about these hardy robotic visitors to Jupiter and Saturn inside.

How To Choose a First Telescope?

The holiday gift-giving season is upon us and you may be looking for a telescope, possibly as a gift for someone else, or for yourself! Find out what to look for in a first telescope - or pair of binoculars - inside.

The International Space Station: 20 Continuously Crewed Years of Operation

Did you know that humans have been living in the International Space Station, uninterrupted, for twenty years? On November 2, 2000, Expedition-1 brought the first three permanent crew members to the station, and since then, an entire generation has been born into a world where humans continually live and work in space. Find out more about the International Space Station in our latest article!

Check Out the Library Telescope Program!

Did you know that many libraries let you check out telescopes, as well as books? Find out more about the Library Telescope Program inside!

Observe the Skies Near Mars

October is a banner month for Mars observers! Mars is very bright this month, and astronomers are eager to observe the red planet. However, don't forget to look at the space around Mars; by doing so, you can observe the planet's remarkable retrograde motion and find a few nearby objects that you may otherwise overlook. Find out more inside!

Announcing Big Astronomy - People, Places, Discoveries!

Our latest Outreach Toolkit highlights the amazing teams of people behind the scenes of the discoveries made at the the world's largest observatories. Activities cover topics such as dark skies, colors of the universe, and sky legends from around the world. Discover more about these materials - and the planetarium show that inspired them - inside!

Public Programs in the time of COVID - Galileoscopes for Outreach

The folks behind the Galileoscope share updates about the availability of Galileoscopes and their potential uses for outreach during these socially distanced times! Find out more inside.

Summer Triangle Corner: Altair

Altair is the final stop on our trip around the Summer Triangle! Altair might be the most unusual of the three stars of the Triangle, due to its great speed: this star spins so rapidly that it appears "squished." Find out more about this bright -and fast - star inside!

How Are We Performing Astronomy Outreach During COVID-19?

Astronomers have discovered many creative ways to do outreach in their communities while staying safe. While many events are online only, there are other avenues for doing outreach - even some that still use the sidewalk!

Summer Triangle Corner: Deneb

What makes Deneb special, in addition to being one of the three points of the Summer Triangle? Its brilliance has stirred the imaginations of people for thousands of years! Find out more about this incredibly bright star - including how to spot it - in this month's stargazing feature!

Mars's Latest Visitor: NASA's Perseverance Rover

NASA's latest Mars rover, Perseverance, is launching very soon! This amazing robot explorer will scout the surface of Mars for possible signs of ancient life and collect soil samples for return to Earth by future missions. Find out more about Perseverance - and see where you can spot Mars in early morning skies - in our latest article.

Toolkit Hack: Illustrate Opposition

Want a quick and easy way to illustrate what opposition is for Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, or other outer worlds? Jerelyn Ramirez of the Kansas Astronomical Observers created a toolkit hack using our "Exploring the Solar System" worksheet to do that!

Add Virtual Events to Your Club Calendar!

Did you know that there is a new event type for NSN astronomy clubs? You can now add virtual events to the calendar! Find out how, inside.

Toolkit Hack: Frames for Tactile Moon Sheets

Don Knabb created this beautiful travel case for the 3-D touchable Moon surfaces from the Apollo 11 Toolkit! Find out more about these sturdy frames inside.

Summer Triangle Corner: Vega

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere and look up during June evenings, you'll see the brilliant star Vega shining overhead. Did you know that Vega is one of the most studied stars in our skies? Find out why inside our latest article!

Galileoscope Hack: Stable Chair Mount!

Do you have a Galileoscope but no tripod? Create a simple mount using an item you may be using right now: a chair!

Do Science with NASA

Want to mix in some science with your stargazing, but not sure where to start? Can't get to your favorite stargazing spot? NASA's citizen science programs may be just the thing for you. Find out how you can do science with NASA in our latest article!

Hubble at 30: Three Decades of Cosmic Discovery

The Hubble Space Telescope celebrates its 30th birthday in orbit around Earth this April. Find out more about the Hubble, including how you can try spotting it in the night sky, inside!

Earth Day Turns 50: Celebrate with NASA!

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 with NASA's collection of educational resources and activities!

Dim Delights in Cancer

Cancer the Crab is a dim constellation, yet it contains one of the most beautiful and easy-to-spot star clusters in our sky: the Beehive Cluster. Cancer also possesses one of the most studied exoplanets: the superhot super-Earth, 55 Cancri e. Discover more about these fascinating objects inside!

Astronomy Award Nominations Now Open!

Do you want someone recognized for their amazing work in astronomy? Nominate them for awards from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific! Find out how inside.

Betelgeuse and the Crab Nebula: Stellar Death and Rebirth

Famous star Betelgeuse and the ghostly supernova remnant known as the Crab Nebula showcase what happens when giant stars star reach the end of their lives. Find how to spot these two morbid celestial objects, and learn more about the death of stars, inside!

Cosmic Fireworks: Make Your Own Festive Galaxy with NASA's Astrophoto Challenges

Join NASA's Universe of Learning for an exciting opportunity to use real astronomical data and tools to create your own beautiful images of the iconic starburst galaxy M82! This challenge is open through February 29, 2020. Find out how to join the challenge inside!

2019 NSN Outreach Award Pin & Certificate Information

It's time for the annual NSN Outreach Award Pins! Award your club's volunteers for their hard work during the past year with these these shiny metal pins and custom award certificates. Details on how to order the "ISS: 20 Crewed Years" themed pin, along with tips for customizing and printing out the associated award certificate are inside.

Spot the Young Stars of the Hyades and Pleiades

The Orion Nebula, the Hyades, and the Pleiades are the VIPs of the skies in January, and each object showcases a different stage of development in the life cycles of stars. Find out how to spot all three, and dive into the "Pleiades Controversy" in our latest guide!

NSN Clubs Observing the 2019 Mercury Transit!

On November 11, 2019, NSN member clubs around the United States showed curious members of the public a wonderful rare event: the planet Mercury transiting the Sun! Check out their stories - and some great photos - inside.

The Orion Nebula: Window Into a Stellar Nursery

December brings both winter and the early evening appearance of one of the most famous constellations in the sky: Orion! Find out how the Orion Nebula gives us a peek into a much larger region of starbirth, and how NASA's space telescopes help uncover more than meets the eye inside our latest article!

Scenes from International Observe the Moon Night 2019

People around the world celebrated the Moon on October 5, 2019, and volunteers from Nigh Sky Network member clubs helped folks across the USA take in incredible views of the Moon and learn some lunar science. Check out a few photos from their events inside!

Mercury Transit 2019: The Messenger Crosses the Sun

Skywatchers are in for a treat this month, as Mercury transits the Sun the morning of November 11. Find details inside on how to best safely observe this special event.

Find Strange Uranus in Aries

Most of the planets in our solar system are bright and easily spotted at night, with two exceptions: Uranus and Neptune. Uranus is up almost all night during October and is at its brightest for the yea,r making it the best time to try to spot this distant, green world!

Congratulations to Lynn Powers, Winner of the 2019 Las Cumbres Amateur Outreach Award!

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific recently announced their 2019 award winners for excellence in astronomy, and Lynn Powers was recognized by the ASP for her outreach efforts in bringing astronomy to children and the general public!

Spot the Stars of the Summer Triangle

Discover the skies around the Summer Triangle, welcome the change of seasons with the equinox on September 23, and look for Jupiter and Saturn with help from our guide to stargazers for this month!

Who Are Your Club's NSN Coordinators?

Keep your NSN coordinator list up to date, and make sure the right folks have access to keep your club's NSN management smooth.

Andee's Corner: Sharing NSN with Your Club Members

You can easily share the Night Sky Network with your club members. Find out how inside!

Chill Out: Spot an Ice Giant in August

Is the summer heat getting to you? Cool off overnight while spotting one of the solar system's ice giants: Neptune! It's the perfect way to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Voyager 2's flyby. Find out how inside our latest article.

Sky Puppies: Bring the Wonders of the Universe to Youth

The Sky Puppies program is a fun way to introduce kids to astronomical observing. Thanks to the efforts of NASA and the Astronomical League, this program is now available to all youth! Find the details and links to more information inside.

July's Skies: Observe Saturn and the Moon

Saturn is at opposition this month, beckoning to future explorers with its beautiful rings and varied, mysterious moons. The Moon prominently passes Saturn mid-month, just in time for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11!

Make Your Own Whirlpool with NASA's Astrophoto Challenges: Open June - July 2019

Find out how you can join NASA's Universe of Learning program for an exciting opportunity to use real astronomical data and tools to create your own beautiful images of the iconic Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) - details inside!

NSN Member Magazine Subscriptions

Special magazine subscription information for Night Sky Network club members,

Jupiter Shines at Opposition: Stargazing Tips for June 2019

Jupiter stakes its claim as the king of the planets in June, shining bright all night. Saturn trails behind Jupiter, and the Moon passes by both planets mid-month. Mercury puts on its best evening appearance in 2019 late in the month, outshining nearby Mars at sunset. Find the details inside!

Scheduling, Reporting, and Logging

What is the difference between scheduling an event, reporting (or logging) an event, and logging volunteer hours?

New Moon Toolkits Available for NSN Member Clubs

These new kits are packed with handouts and activities focused on our nearest neighbor, the Moon, and just in time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11!

Watch the Late Spring Skies: Stargazing Tips for May 2019

Find meteor watching tips for the Eta Aquarids, see how to spot the Coma Star Cluster, and read up on some daring Apollo 10 history in this month's NSN guide to the skies.

Global Astronomy Month is here!

April is a special for all manner of space fans: it's time for Global Astronomy Month! #GAM2019 lands with the theme of "The Spirit of Apollo," honoring the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. Find out about some of the great programs and events happening this month, and how you can participate, inside.

15 Years Later, Still Looking Up

The Night Sky Network has grown from 140 clubs to more than 400 clubs across the US. The last 15 years have shown tremendous effort by these clubs, whose members have brought the wonders of the night sky to over 4 million people and counting.

Partner with Local NASA Volunteers

Did you know that there are people who can help bring the wonders of the universe to Earth, living right near you? These resources will help you find out how to partner with these enthusiastic volunteer astronomers to help showcase the latest exciting developments in NASA space science and exploration to your community.

Nominate Your Favorite Astronomers for Prestigious Awards!

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific wants you to nominate special astronomers for their annual awards. Give an award to someone that truly deserves it: your mentor, a fellow amateur who has made incredible scientific contributions to astronomy, or your club's outreach superstar! The nomination deadline is March 1, 2019; find out how to nominate your favorite hard-working astronomers inside, and get them the recognition they deserve.

Toolkit Hack: A Light Box for Eclipse Demonstrations

Usually astronomy requires that you turn off the lights; but sometimes you need to turn them up! Jerelyn Ramirez of the Kansas Astronomical Observers created a handy light source for use when demonstrating the "Yardstick Eclipse" activity. Find out the details inside.

Watch an Early Evening Eclipse on January 20

A total lunar eclipse occurs on January 20, 2019, and totality begins before midnight for observers in the Americas. You can find observing tips inside, along with links to additional NASA eclipse resources. You may even be able to find an eclipse viewing party near you!

Ring in the New Year with New Horizons!

New Horizons makes its rendezvous with Kuiper Belt Object 2014 MU69 on New Year's Day 2019! Ultima Thule, the temporary nickname for this distant object, will be the most distant body ever visited by humanity and provide our first closeup look at a small member of the icy Kuiper Belt. Find details in this article on where to get the latest news from the New Horizons team and how to participate in the flyby fun!

Get Ready to Observe the Geminids Meteor Shower

The Geminids will have a great showing in 2018, especially after the Moon sets the evening of December 13th. Observers under dark clear skies will be treated to many meteors per hour during the shower peak that evening through the morning of December 14th. Find out more about this meteor shower and get some tips on how to best spot these brilliant meteors inside.

Reporting Your Club Events with the NSN Event Report system

The NSN's event reporting system is the best way to let NASA know you are using their resources for your outreach events. Andee Sherwood, NSN trainer and coordinator for the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, has some tips inside on how to use this system to log your club's events.

Celebrating InSight's Successful Mars Landing

Night Sky Network members in the greater New York City area were on the ground at Times Square to witness the historic landing of the NASA InSight mission alongside official NASA representatives and space enthusiasts.

Follow NASA InSight's Landing on Mars

NASA's InSight mission will land on Mars on November 26! nSight will investigate the deep interior of Mars to further our understanding of the rocky planets. Discover more about science of InSight and find out how to watch live streaming landing coverage inside.

NSN Calendar Tip: Schedule Upcoming & Recurring Events

This tip will help you manage your club's NSN calendar and post events for your upcoming meetings and outreach events for everyone to see - and keeps your club listed as having upcoming events on the public NSN calendar and club map to help entice non-club members to visit, too!

How Can You Help Curb Light Pollution?

Light pollution has long troubled astronomers, who generally shy away from deep sky observing under light-polluted skies. In recent years human-made light pollution has dramatically surpassed the interference of even a bright full Moon, and its effects are now noticeable to a great many people outside of the astronomical community. This article lists some ways you can help measure and mitigate light pollution with smart lighting choices and helpful education efforts in your community.

Halloween Outreach: Trick or Treat Sidewalk Astronomy

Halloween is a great time to go out in your neighborhood for some spooky sidewalk astronomy. The American Astronomical Society has some tips for sidewalk astronomers with their new "Trick or Treat and Telescopes" initiative.

Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night on October 20

International Observe the Moon Night for 2018 is on Saturday, October 20. Go look at the Moon...and invite your family, friends, and community to join you. Find out more about InOMN and how you can host or attend an event near you in this article.

Celebrate World Space Week!

Each year, UN-declared World Space Week (WSW), October 4-10, is celebrated globally, and is on track to make 2018 the biggest ever, with your help! Schools, space agencies, museums, aerospace companies, astronomers, scientists, artists and many other participants promote space and inspire students by synchronizing their events during this worldwide celebration.

What NSN Outreach Toolkits Are Available to Member Clubs?

The Night Sky Network's toolkit collection has received many updates over the many years of the program. Some of our older ones are no longer available, while newer kits have since become available on a variety of topics.

This article lists all of the toolkits that are now available to Night Sky Network member clubs that regularly report on their outreach events.

Girl Scouts Release New Space Science Badges

The Girl Scouts USA recently released new Space Science Badges for Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors, with additional badges for grades 6-12 coming in in the fall of 2019 Each badge has a step encouraging troops to connect with their local astronomy club--and that's you, the members of the Night Sky Network! Find out more about how you can get involved inside.

Touch the Sun: The Parker Solar Probe has launched!

The Parker Solar Probe is on its way to explore the mysteries of our nearest star: the Sun! Find out more about this exciting mission and check out NSN resources that help explore the Earth-Sun connection inside.

Prepare for Perseids!

The annual Perseid meteor shower is scheduled to peak this August 12-13. There will be little light from the Moon this year, making for some potentially dark skies in areas free of light pollution! Cross your fingers for good weather, find a nice dark spot to bring a blanket or lounge chair, and get ready to relax and spot some meteors.

Catch Mars on its Close Approach!

Spot Mars this month as it makes its close approach to Earth. Backyard telescopes will show details on the Martian surface that are normally too small to be seen from Earth, making this close pass a special event for Mars lovers! Find out the details on why this close approach of Mars is so special, along with how to find a Mars observing party near you, and details on how to join a special NASA Mars livestream event inside.

Collected Handy NSN Handouts

Looking for some quick and simple outreach materials? Want to give your visitors something to remember your event, engage their interest, or spark their interest in more astronomy? These handouts from the Night Sky Network may be just the thing you need!

Girl Scouts and Amateur Astronomers Team Up to Reach for the Stars!

Amateur astronomers and Girl Scouts are getting the chance to go to Goddard for a weeklong intensive space science workshop as part of the "Girl Scouts: Reaching for the Stars" NASA grant. As part of this program, the Night Sky Network has created a special webpage full of resources to help amateurs work with Girl Scouts as they work towards their new "Space Sciences" badges. Find out more inside!

Fireballs in the Sky: A Global Fireball Observatory

Fireballs in the Sky is a citizen science program whose goal is to better understand the origins of the solar system by observing the paths of meteors as they streak across the sky. With the help of volunteers around the world the pre-fall orbits of many of these meteors can be reconstructed; sometimes, the landing sites of a few of the surviving meteorites can even be pinpointed! Find out how contribute your fireball observations to this project inside.

NSN Astronomy Clubs Reach 4 Million People!

Night Sky Network astronomy clubs have reported more than 4 million visitors at their events nationwide. These events featured club members showing the public the wonders of the universe using NASA materials. Congratulations to all the hardworking outreach volunteers at clubs around the USA!

TESS: Continuing the Hunt for Habitable Planets

NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) launched on April 18, 2018. Its goal: survey the sky and find thousands more extrasolar worlds. The stars it will see will be perfect for followup studies by other telescopes as we search for potential Earth-like worlds. Find out more inside!

Celebrate Global Astronomy Month for 2018

It's April, which means it's time for Global Astronomy Month! #GAM2018 brings more astronomy fun, this month themed around a familiar, unifying sight in our night skies: the Moon!

How Did Astronomy Clubs Prepare Their Communities for the 2017 Solar Eclipse?

Night Sky Network clubs helped prepare their local communities for the total solar eclipse of August 21, 2017. Our latest article showcases some of this incredible outreach in their own words and photos! Find out the different ways NSN member clubs helped prepare their communities for the solar eclipse inside.

Congratulations to the 2018 NSN Event Scheduling Prizewinners

To make event reporting easier, you can schedule your events on your club's NSN calendar ahead of time. We ran a contest earlier this year to encourage clubs to do just that! Find out inside who the lucky clubs were that won prizes for scheduling their upcoming events in their club's NSN calendar for 2018.

NASA Podcasts for Space News On the Go

Want to catch up on the latest space news from NASA? You are in luck, because NASA produces many different podcasts each week! Find out behind the scenes information about space missions, the people behind the science, the history of NASA, spaceflight news, observing tips for amateur astronomers, and many more space-related topics. We have more details inside.

Space Science in Museums with NISE Net

Hundreds of museums across the US are receiving space science kits from another NASA Network this winter. It's a great time to reach out and collaborate on programing with your local museum and help bring NASA science to your community with these new outreach materials from the National Informal STEM Education Network!

Catch the Total Lunar Eclipse on January 31

Early morning risers in North America will get a special early morning breakfast treat on the morning of January 31: a total lunar eclipse! You can find tips on how to observe this special celestial event inside, with links to additional NASA resources and outreach activities. You may even be able to find an eclipse viewing party near you hosted by NSN member clubs by checking out our event calendar!

New Resource: Perennial Astronomy Articles for Newsletters

We've compiled a list of our own frequently updated articles about common astronomy topics you can use for your newsletters. We have posted articles about many topics that your audiences might find interesting, and you can customize them for your own audiences. Find out more inside.

Turn Supermoon Hype into Lunar Learning

"Supermoons" can be used as a teachable moment for folks interested in astronomy, despite their hype. You can use interest in the supermoon to talk about the moon's orbit and why its size is different- as well as attract people to your star parties for amazing views of the moon!

Congratulations to Paul Winalski, Winner of the Las Cumbres Award for Astronomy Outreach!

The Night Sky Network extends our congratulations to Paul Winalski of the New Hampshire Astronomical Society on receiving the 2017 Las Cumbres Outreach Award from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific! Paul works hard representing the NHAS at outreach events and has helped countless members of his community witness amazing views of the heavens. We got in touch with Paul to find out more about his love of bringing astronomy to the public and how he first got started with astronomy and his local club. Find out more inside!

Browse Hubble's Messier Catalog!

Hubble's Messier Catalog is a beautiful series of images over 230 years in the making! Charles Messier released his final version of his famed list of objects in 1781. In October 2017 the Hubble team released a series of gorgeous images of many of these objects taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. Find out more about the history of this list and where to find these amazing images inside!

Become an Image Detective!

You can help analyze images taken by astronauts on board the International Space Station by becoming an Image Detective! This citizen science effort needs the help of human eyes and brains to help analyze the 1.5 millions images taken from the space station for use in better understanding our home planet. Find out how you can be a part of NASA science inside.

Give Your Eclipse Glasses a Second Life

Your used eclipse glasses could be reused by schoolchildren in South America and Asia to witness the 2019 solar eclipse. The eclipse glasses recycling program from Astronomers Without Borders and Explore Scientific helps keep safe solar eclipse viewers out of the landfill and brings them to schoolchildren that may not otherwise be able to safely view these eclipses. Find out more details inside- including what glasses are accepted, and where to donate them.

Celebrate Fall Astronomy Day on September 30!

Astronomy Day is a world-wide event observed each spring and fall. Fall Astronomy Day arrives on September 30, 2017. Local astronomical societies, planetariums, museums, and observatories will be sponsoring public viewing sessions, presentations, workshops, and other activities to increase public awareness about astronomy and our wonderful universe.

List of Ready-Made Presentations for Meetings, Class Visits, and Cloudy Days

Summer star party season is upon us! But what happens when rain or inclement weather rolls in, and you need to do something with your visitors while you wait for the skies to clear up? Well, after you double check to make sure you've safely stashed your telescope, try out one of these popular night sky network presentations for your audiences! We've found the top ten most popular NSN presentations from the past year and  now present them to you.

Total Solar Eclipse of 2017

On August 21, 2017 a total solar eclipse across a small path across the continental United States - and much of the rest of North America will be able to see a partial eclipse. You don't want to miss it! Find links to fantastic resources about this exciting cosmic event inside this article, and ensure that your eclipse viewing experience is safe and fun!

Member Updates for August - Eclipse 2017!

The eclipse is coming! The Night Sky Network staff will be traveling to the path of totality and will be back by the end of August. We do have a bit of news, including tips on eclipse resources, inside! Also, please note that we will not be hosting a webinar this month. Our regular webinar series will return in September.

Check Out a Telescope From Your Local Library!

The Library Telescope Program brings telescopes to local public libraries, making good-quality and beginner-friendly telescopes available to curious patrons.The Astronomical League is now accepting applications to bring telescopes into more lucky libraries this year - find out how to nominate your local library for this program inside!

A Modern Day Eddington Experiment

You can join other citizen scientists and recreate one of the most important scientific observations of the modern era. Measure the positions of stars near the sun during the upcoming total solar eclipse to prove Einstein's General Theory of Relativity! Find out more about this astrometry-minded citizen science opportunity from NASA's Universe of Learning inside.

Blast Off with the Girl Scouts and NASA!

Congratulations to the lucky amateur astronomers and Girl Scouts who get to go to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for a weeklong space science workshop as part of the "Girl Scouts: Reaching for the Stars" NASA grant! Amateur astronomers will be hearing more from Girl Scouts, both girls and adult volunteers, in the coming years as the Girl Scouts of America ramp up their own amateur astronomy programs. Find out more and get a peek at a few events inside.

Bringing Astronomy to Wounded Veterans in Pittsburgh

The Amateur Astronomical Association of Pittsburgh (AAAP) bring the stars to their local veterans with astronomy events at their local VA hospital. The members of the AAAP have even begun an effort to construct a dedicated observatory on the hospital grounds in an effort to provide additional astronomy activities at the hospital to help to aid in the recovery of the veterans receiving treatment. Find out more about their project inside!

Girl Scouts Stars

The Night Sky Network and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) are proud to announce an exciting new program, "Reaching for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts." The team, led by the SETI Institute, is producing new space science badges, online Girl Scout volunteer materials, and new astronomy experiences for every level of Girl Scouts from Daisies in kindergarten through Ambassadors (Seniors in high school). What does this mean for you, our amateur astronomers? Find out inside!

Spanish Solar Outreach Resources

See how you can make your own materials in Spanish here.

Astronomers and libraries working together during Eclipse 2017

Andrew Fraknoi (Foothill College) and Dennis Shatz (Pacific Science Center) are recruiting amateur astronomers to help local libraries prepare the public for the August 21 solar eclipse! You don't need to be in town for the eclipse to help your neighbors prepare in advance for the big day - find out more on how to help inside.

How to Maintain Your Club's NSN Homepage

Here is our latest tip from Andee Sherwood, Club Mentor & Trainer for the NSN Program. This month, Andee goes into a deep dive on how to maintain your club's NSN homepage with the semi-hidden features inside the NSN's club management system. Find out how to maximize your clubs NSN presence inside this article.

Global Astronomy Month is back for 2017!

Global Astronomy Month returns for 2017 to pack April with exciting programs for astronomy enthusiasts worldwide. Whether it's stargazing, sharing with the public, or the cosmos in art, there is something for everyone in #GAM2017.
Find out how you can participate in these astronomical festivities inside!

Join the Eclipse MegaMovie Project!

The Eclipse Megamovie Project is now recruiting citizen science volunteers to help create a movie documenting totality of the upcoming eclipse of August 21, 2017. Find out how you can participate in this exciting citizen science project in this article!

Club Coordinator News for January 2017

Exciting Updates to the NSN Website - check out all the new updates for clubs and club coordinators inside!

How to Partner With Your Local Astronomy Club

Did you know that there are people who can help bring the wonders of the universe to Earth living right in your own community? Find out how to partner with astronomers in your community inside this article!

Special End of Year Notice for Club Coordinators (New Deadlines!)

We want to make sure that your club is set for the end of this year! Get information inside this article on how to order astronomy outreach award pins for your club's volunteers, download the new outreach award certificate, and find out how to earn a free 2017 Solar Eclipse Education Kit for your club. Update- Our deadline for submitting events for Eclipse materials has been extended to January 31, 2017!

Winter Stargazing Tips: Stay Warm and Cozy!

Some of the most impressive sights in the skies of the Northern Hemisphere are very prominent in the winter nights. Orion, the Hyades, and the Pleiades are all lined up and shine like jewels in the night, with many the constellations and deep-sky objects ready to take your breathe away. Just don't let the cold take your breathe away too!

Inside, we have a handy guide for staying warm and comfortable on these cold stargazing nights.

Astronomy On Wheels with the James Webb Space Telescope

What do astronomy clubs do with the quarterly prizes they win from the Night Sky Network? The Fort Bend Astronomy Club has used their prize of a James Webb Space Telescope scale model in various Houston-area outreach events as part of their Astronomy on Wheels program. Find out more inside!

Handy Toolkit Hacks: A Glass and Mirrors Light Bench

This is a great hack of the "Glass and Mirrors" Toolkit. One crafty astronomer figured out how to create a sturdy light bench and a tripod-ready "naked telescope" demo using materials from this ToolKit. He even kept the dimensions super portable so the much-revised kit could still fit inside the original carrying case. Check out the details inside the article!

Explore Asteroids with OSIRIS-REx

On September 8, OSIRIS-REx launched on a Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral on its mission to near-Earth asteroid Bennu. We have links to some great resources on OSIRIS-REx, Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and other space rocks inside.

Where Will You Be for the 2017 Eclipse?

On August 21, 2017 a total solar eclipse will be seen across the US. A partial eclipse will be seen from the 48 contiguous states. Get ready for the fun! Find out where to be and how to view it here.

Stargazing Tips for Summer Skywatching

Great summer weather and a bit of vacation time will bring out the stargazer many people. Warm nights and clears skies work hand in hand to create starry nights that people will remember for the rest of their lives...provided they aren't scratching at bug bites or a bad sunburn! Make the most of your summertime skywatching with the handy tips inside this article, and stay cool.

Join Juno's Jupiter Journey with JunoCam!

Juno slipped into orbit around Jupiter on July 4, 2016. JunoCam will be taking specially selected close-up images of Jupiter's cloud tops, and you are invited to help in the imaging process as part of the citizen science imaging team! Find out more about the Juno mission and additional resources in this article.

Imaging Mars with the Hubble Space Telescope

Amateurs get great pictures of Mars during opposition by using lots of preparation and skill with their preferred equipment at their observing sites. What kind of preparation does it take for scientists to get amazing pictures of Mars using the Hubble Space Telescope? We found out how by asking Max Mutchler, Research and Instrument Scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute, who specializes in working with the Hubble Space Telescope's cameras! Check out his detailed answers inside this article and find out how the latest Hubble image of Mars was made.

Observe the Opposition and Close Approach of Mars!

Mars and Earth will be at their closest for 2016 - and indeed, at their closest in several years - on May 30. Mars is at opposition a few days earlier, on May 22. Find out what this means and how you can observe Mars through a telescope with your local astronomy club and find other resources about the red planet inside this article.

Observe the Transit of Mercury

Thousands safely watched tiny Mercury's disc fly across the face of our Sun on May 9th with these tips and links to ways to watch it in both real life and online.
Observers on the east coast of the United States were treated to the entirety of the transit, starting at 7:10 am EDT, and even though folks on the west coast had to wait until sunrise to watch the transit already in progress, it's worth it: the transit lasted a long time, about seven and a half hours!

Member News for April 2016

There are some exciting events coming up for NSN member clubs this exciting Global Astronomy Month, including another great telecon for members about Mercury and NASA's MESSENGER Mission!

Global Astronomy Month is here!

Global Astronomy Month 2016 (#GAM2016) fills the entire month of April again with exciting programs for astronomy enthusiasts worldwide. Whether it's stargazing, sharing with the public, or the cosmos in art, there is something for everyone in GAM 2016.
Find out how you can participate in these astronomical festivities inside!

The International Space Station: Studying Humans in Space

The crew has returned from the One-Year Mission. What are scientists hoping to learn from this long-duration stay on the space station, and what comes next? Find out more about their mission, as well as tips on how to spot the International Space Station as it passes overhead, inside.

Watch the James Webb Space Telescope Assemble

You can watch as the powerful next generation space telescope takes shape in its clean room. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) only has a couple more years on Earth before it will be launched into space to study the origins of the universe in 2018.

In February the JWST hit a major milestone as all 18 of its primary mirror segments mirrors were installed. Find out more about how you can watch its progress as the JWST is assembled and readied for launch in this article.

Late Winter Skies: Sights, Activities, and Resources

Want to see the five planets in the early morning but you aren't a morning person? Are you wondering what you can see in the evening skies, or other objects you can spot in the skies this month? We have a few resources you can go to that will help you plan your stargazing, both hosted by the Night Sky Network's website and elsewhere online. These resources will help you not just for stargazing in February, but for the rest of the year!

30 Years Ago, We Visited Uranus

The plucky Voyager 2 space probe made its closest approach to the Uranus system 30 years ago this month, giving humanity our first close-up glimpse of this cold, giant world. Voyager 2 made many observations of the ice giant planet and it's many moons and rings, giving us an unprecedented view into this strange, topsy-turvy world at the edge of our solar system. Find out more about what discoveries NASA made inside this article.

Important Club Coordinator Information for the End of the Year

Club Coordinators: We have some exciting updates for you as we close out 2015. Below you'll find information on:
2016 Outreach Pins for qualifying clubs.

A special prize drawing for clubs with upcoming events for 2016.

New outreach handouts are now available.

News on current issues and upcoming improvements to the website.

Take a look at these wonderful ways to recognize the dedication of your members doing outreach and opportunities to receive some great outreach materials.

We want to take a minute and thank you, the dedicated and hard-working club members who make outreach happen. You are truly making a difference in the world, educating and inspiring the next generation. We salute you and look forward to supporting your inspirational outreach efforts for many years to come.

December News: MAVEN Mission Telecon, Citizen Science, & Much More

We have tons of news you can use this month! Save the date: We have a special Night Sky Network members-only telecon on the latest results from the MAVEN mission on December 15th. We also have opportunities for citizen science with JunoCam and astronomy in Chile. We also have a few updates for clubs as the year closes, and some extra articles and resources as well. Check out our giant sized end of the year newsletter inside!

What to Watch: Late Fall Skies

Fall and winter bring long nights and great times for astronomy overs! Find out what to look for in the evening and morning skies, including meteor showers, a dance of planets in the early morning, and some stellar constellations rising into full view after a long summertime absence.

Congratulations to the latest quarterly prizewinners!

Three member clubs won models of the James Webb Space Telescope by posting and logging their events on the Night Sky Network's calendar. Congratulations!

The Future of Exoplanets: The Next 20 Years of Exploration

Twenty years ago this month, the detection of the first planet orbiting a Sun-like star was announced. As we celebrate the anniversary of this historic discovery, we look ahead to see what discoveries we will make in the next twenty years and how we will make those discoveries.

Telecon: Chilean Skies: Amateur and Professional Astronomy in the Andes

Update: Audio, transcripts, and slides are now available for download!

Night Sky Network members joined three of the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors to learn about the incredible array of professional telescopes high in the Chilean desert on Tuesday, October 20th. Details inside!

Celebrate White House Astronomy Night this October 19th

NSN member clubs are invited to host outreach events on White House Astronomy Night this October 19th. White House Astronomy Night events have been held since 2009, and serve to expand the public's knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in an informal setting and to entice young people to become the next generation of great scientists, engineers and inventors in our fast-paced and technology-driven world.

Kepler's Second Light: The K2 Survey Mission

K2, the Kepler satellite's second mission, is still returning interesting science - it is not just about finding exoplanets any more, but measuring the light curves on many kinds of celestial objects!

NSN Telecon for June: 50 Years of Exoplanet Science - The View from 2045 (UPDATE)

NSN Members joined us on for a special members-only telecon on July 21, 2015 at 6:00 pm PDT/9:00 PM EDT. Our guest was Dr. Charles Beichman, the Executive Director of the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute. His talk was on 50 Years of Exoplanet Science: the View from 2045.

How Do We Find Exoplanets?

Astronomers tried for years to discover evidence that worlds existed around stars other than our Sun. By the mid 1990's, technology had finally caught up with desire for discovery and lead to the first discovery of a planet orbiting another sun-like star, Pegasi 51b. Why did it take so long to discover these distant worlds, and what techniques do astronomers use to find them?

A Whole New Universe: 20 Years of Exoplanets

The first exoplanet found orbiting another Sun-like star was first discovered 20 years ago. Since then scores of alien worlds have been found and have completely changed our understanding of the Universe.

[UPDATED] Telecon: Hubble's Views of the Deep Universe

NSN Members joined Hubble scientist Dr. Brandon Lawton for a special telecon celebrating 25 years of the Hubble Space Telescope and the incredible contributions it has made to our understanding of our Universe, with a focus on its famous "Deep Field" images. Updates, including audio, slides,and some Q&A with Dr. Lawton can be found inside.

April is Global Astronomy Month!

Astronomers around the world will be hosting many wonderful events to celebrate astronomy this month. Find out about special events and how to participate here.

NSN Telecon: The ERGO Project

NSN members join us on Monday, February 23, 2015 for a presentation by Tom Bales of the ERGO Project, a citizen science project designed to place cosmic ray detectors around the world!

Take a crash course in astronomy!

The Bad Astronomer, aka Phil Plait (who is actually a Good Astronomer) invites you to check out his new series about astronomy. You may be an astronomer and not know it!

NSN Outreach Award Pins Now Available! (Updated with extended deadines)

NSN club members really make a difference in the public understanding of the universe and change lives both young and old. The Night Sky Network would like to help astronomy clubs thank those who have gone above and beyond in your club's outreach efforts with the Night Sky Network Star annual award pins.

Read more to learn if your club is qualified to receive three free pins, and how to order more pins if you club has more deserving members!

Fly with SOFIA in 2015!

Want to fly with one of the most advanced telescopes in the world? The SOFIA airborne observatory is now accepting applications for Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) program for educators of all kinds-from teachers, informal educators at libraries or science centers, and yes-amateur astronomers! The full details and press announcement can be found inside.

Telecon: Global Pairing Program (Audio now available)

NSN Members joined Leo Heiland and Mike Simmons from Astronomers Without Borders for a telecon on November 18th, 2014. They discussed the latest initiative from the AWB, the Global Pairing Program: linking together clubs from around the world with clubs in the USA. NSN members enjoyed a lively Q&A session at the end with more details on this excellent outreach program.

NSN News for November 2014

The latest news from the Night Sky Network for November including: a new telecon for NSN members with Astronomers Without Borders on an exciting new initiative for clubs around the world; a reminder to log your events to get more ToolKits and win a chance to get a quarterly prize; links to featured articles and resources.

Landing on a Comet

Comets have long been mysterious objects of astronomical wonder to mankind, who gazed in wonder and feared their approach.

History was made on November 12: the ESA's Rosetta probe will send a small lander, Philae, down to the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, becoming the first spacecraft to safely land on a comet!

What will we discover?

Find International Partners for Your Clubs!

Astronomers Without Borders is hosting a global pairing program for astronomy clubs, matching clubs around the world with clubs in the United States. Find out more in our special article for Night SkyNetwork members.

October: Full of Astronomical Wonders

This month brings lucky viewers in North America a full lunar and partial solar eclipse, meteor showers, a great view of an ice giant, and more!

[UPDATE] September Telecon: Cosmological Insights from Gravitational Lensing

NSN members ioined Dr. Mandeep Gill from SLAC as he discussed his topic: Cosmological Insights from Gravitational Lensing, or How Herr Doktor Einstein Can Come to the Rescue and Help Us Solve the Grandest Mystery in Modern-Day Physics. Audio and slides from the talk are now available!

Three Million people reached!

Congratulations to all member clubs of the Night Sky Network on reaching a major milestone: three million people have now been shown the wonders of astronomy by your hard working club members!

Take the Future of Amateur Astronomers Survey

The Night Sky Network is doing a new survey of amateur astronomers located in the United States. We are attempting to understand the landscape of educational outreach performed by astronomy clubs and assess the needs of the amateur astronomy community for the next 5 years. We want to hear your voice!

Sunspotters Relaunched: Help Classify Sunspots!

The Zooniverse has just relaunched their Sunspotters project. You can help classify complex sunspots!

So far and yet so hot

July 3rd marks aphelion, the day the Earth is the greatest distance from the Sun. So, why is it so hot in the northern hemisphere? Well, because the seasons have nothing to do with Earth's distance from the Sun!

NSN News: June 2014

The latest news from the Night Sky Network for June 2014! Take a survey for a new ToolKit, prizewinners announced, and more news and updates!

ASP Prizewinners Announced

Congratulations are in store for Dan Kaminsky of the TSA Astronomers and NSN member club, who has received the prestigious Las Cumbres Amateur Outreach Award for outstanding outreach by an amateur astronomer!

Congratulations to the NSN clubs who won Q1 Prizes!

Ten lucky clubs who logged their events from January-March 2014 won the latest NSN prize!

Check out all of the visible planets while you can!

Late May and early June feature a fantastic month for lovers of the original naked-eye planets. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are all visible over the course of one night.

What does NASA science do for me?

NASA science may seem to be focused on the stars, but it all comes back down to Earth in some surprising ways. Find out more via NASA Spinoff.

How do we see inside of a planet's crust?

How do we know what makes up a planet? The upcoming InSight mission to Mars will use some clever detective work to help us figure out what is inside of our neighbor.

Telecon: The New Night Sky Network (Follow up- Video now available)

There are big updates coming to the Night Sky Network webpage. Join us to find out what they are so you can prepare for this transition.

A year full of eclipses

2014 promises to be a year full of gorgeous eclipses. Keep your eyes peeled for the first one this April!

April News: Exciting Update to the NSN Website, and more!

News for NSN in April, including a huge change for the NSN website and much more.

Major updates to the Night Sky Network in April

A major update is coming the the Night Sky Network; members, check out our latest news below.

April is Global Astronomy Month

Welcome to the greatest month of the year, where astronomy is celebrated with special events all month long!

NSN News: Updates coming to the NSN Website!

Updates coming to the look and feel of the Night Sky Network website; Telecon for March has been cancelled; and more!

ToolKits now shipping to clubs!

Toolkits are now shipping to clubs that qualified by logging their events in Q4 2013. Did your club log their events?

InSight into Mars

The Mars InSight mission will be launched in 2016 and will delve into the Martian crust in order to answer vital questions about how rocky planets form.

NSN News: Feburary 2014

Pins and Toolkits now shipping to NSN clubs; audio and transcripts now available from the NSN GaN telecon, and more member news inside!

Globe at Night Telecon: Slides and Audio Available

Connie Walker from Globe at Night joined NSN members for an illuminating talk on the GaN program, and discussed how you can become involved in the fight against light pollution by measuring sky quality.

Even More Watery Worlds in our Solar System

Ceres joins Europa and Enceladus as a formerly unexpected watery world. Does it also have oceans?

Congratulations to NSN Award Pin Qualified Clubs

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to the hardworking clubs in the Night Sky Network community.

Discover the Universe Guides now available!

We are pleased to announce an exciting new resource for Night Sky Network members: Monthly activity guides and sky charts, in both white and red light versions.

Identifying UFOs

Believe or not, UFOs and alien spaceships are not the same thing. This article will help you help people identify those strange lights in the sky.

Track Comet ISON's Dramatic Buildup

Comet ISON has suddenly burst in magnitude as it speeds towards its close flyby of our Sun. What will happen next? Find out yourself...

A good month for comets

Comet ISON may be the biggest headliner this month, but there are some surprise visitors that may be visible in our telescopes and binoculars this month and next.

Spooky Sidewalk Astronomy for Halloween

Halloween is one of the only times where it is normal to see aliens, monsters, and astronauts walking together! Why not show your little visiting ghouls the night sky for a special treat they won't forget?

All about Exoplanets - New resources!

Scientists are discovering hundreds, probably even thousands of planets around stars other than our Sun. Learn all about these exciting new discoveries and use these activities, presentations, and handouts to discover more.

PANOPTES Telecon: Slides and transcripts now available

Night Sky Network members joined us on September 24th, 2013 for a fascinating talk with the team behind the Panoptic Astronomical Networked OPtical observatory for Transiting Exoplanets Survey (PANOPTES). Slides and transcripts are now available.

LADEE Launch Day: September 6

[Updated with footage of the launch] LADEE is about to start its voyage to the moon-and there are many events to check out to celebrate.

[UPDATE-See Earth and our Moon] Wave at Saturn on July 19th

Did you wave at Saturn-and its chief photographer- on July 19th at 2:27 PST?

Want to help find space warps?

A new community project needs your help in finding images of gravitational lensing.

Skynet University: Free Astronomy education

Skynet offers an amazing opportunity for free Astronomy courses with access to multiple telescopes around the world.

Mercury Rising

Mercury reaches its highest point in the western sky for 2013 this month.

UPDATE: High Energy Universe Telecon Transcript and Audio

Dr. Cominsky gave a fascinating and extremely informative telecon on May 21st.

Planets Dancing in the Twilight

Watch the trio of Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury as they perform a celestial tango in the west this month.

To Europa!

Seeing Europa up close and from far away...

The Milky Way Project: Can you help?

Scientists need your help searching through images of our Galaxy.

Sunny Giveaway Winners Announced

Congratulations!

Solar System, Galaxy, Universe: What's the Difference?

Many people use these terms as if they all mean the same thing. They certainly do not! Find out what the differences are between a solar system, a galaxy, and a universe inside.

Discovering Families of Planets

Earth is a member of our Sun's family of eight planets. Which is the brightest other star that also has at least one planet?

See Comet Pan-STARRS March 12 - 16

Where do I look?

Pleiades, The Teenage Sisters

Born while the dinosaurs were roaming the Earth, the Pleiades sisters have been together about 100 million years.

But soon, they may be leaving home.

Asteroid Swings by Earth TODAY

How can I watch it?

NEO Telecon Transcript available

This was one of the best attended telecons we've held and for good reason. Check out the audio transcript to hear this engaging speaker.

Comets and asteroids and NEOs, oh my! Here comes 2013 - be prepared.

Orion Nebula, Nursery of Infant Stars

Ever seen a nursery full of newborns? No, not babies, newborn STARS. Now you can!

Meet the Workaholic Star, Betelgeuse

This aging star is still hard at work ... doing what?

What's Up in Your Sky? Tell the World!

Is it nighttime? Go outside right now and ...

December 21st: The Day the Sun Never Rose

The world didn't end on December 21st, but what DID happen? And what did it mean for Santa?

Sunspotter Winners Announced!

Sunspotter Winners Announced!

Doomsday 2012: the science behind the fear

There will be no end of the world!

Is Your Club in the Drawing for a Sunspotter? (updated list!)

'Tis the season for a little extra sunshine! We're giving away 4 free Sunspotter Solar Telescopes for the New Year! It's easy to qualify and your club's chances are excellent. Read on...

What Kind of Telescope Should I Buy?

New to stargazing? Here's our advice on learning the sky!

Amateur Astronomers Discover a Four-Star Planet with NASA's Kepler

Amateur astronomy is more exciting than ever!

Orionid Meteor Shower & Astronomy Day!

Enjoy an action-packed weekend of star parties and meteor watching!

Heads Up, It's a Meteor Shower!

Watch the Draconid Meteor Shower, October 7-8, 2012

NASA Night Sky Member Wins the Astronomical Society of the Pacific's Las Cumbres Amateur Outreach Award

Congratulations to Chuck McPartlin of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit!

Full Moon, Harvest Moon

A fun way to get to know the Moon is with an astronomy club!

International Observe the Moon Night is September 22!

Find an astronomy club to see the Moon up close through a telescope!

Summer Stargazing & Solar Gazing

Get to an astronomy club event this summer!

Watch the Perseid Meteor Showers!

You can see them without a telescope! Read on to find out how to see meteors!

Telecon July 23rd: Mars Science Lab and Curiosity Rover

NASA scientist Dr. Ashwin Vasavada told us all about the Mars Science Lab scheduled to land on the red planet this August.

Mars Globe Winners!

Congratulations to the Quarterly Prize winners! Is your club one of them? If not, learn how you can still qualify for a Mars globe.

We're Mad About Mars!

MarsGazers! Here's all the news and links you can stand about Mars. The Mars rover, Curiosity, will be on the Red Planet in August.

Be sure to MarsGaze with an astronomy club!

It's time for summer stargazing & solar viewing!

You'll love skygazing with an astro club!

NASA Night Sky Network clubs reach thousands during the Transit of Venus

Thanks for your outstanding outreach!

Astronomy Clubs Share the Transit of Venus with Thousands of Solar Gazers

Find your astronomy club and go to fantastic events!

Watch the Transit of Venus with an Astronomy Club!

A Once in a Lifetime Event on June 5-6, 2012!

Solar Science Telecon Just in TIme

Listen to a solar Teleconference with Bryan Mendez.

The Annular Solar Eclipse & Stargazing in May 2012

Get out to see the "Ring of Fire" annular solar eclipse with an astronomy club!

NASA Night Sky Network clubs inspire a love of the universe!

After a star gazing or solar gazing event, you'll have a different understanding of the universe!

Astronomy events you won't want to miss

NASA Night Sky Network astronomy clubs have events during Global Astronomy Month and beyond for you to enjoy!

Quarterly Prize Winners get Solar Viewing Glasses

Wow! Imagine receiving 50 Solar Viewing Glasses for your outreach. Learn how these clubs qualified.

StarGazing in April 2012

April is Global Astronomy Month and we want to see you at an astro club star party or solar viewing soirée!

Amateur Astronomers Make History by Flashing the ISS!

San Antonio Astronomy Association and the Austin Astronomy Society - Night Sky Network Clubs Successfully Flashed the ISS!

Equinox, Sun, and Balancing Eggs

The Equinox is on March 20, 2012 at 5:14 Universal Time!

Transcript of Telecon with Dr. Anthony Aveni on 2012

Dr. Aveni told us all about the 2012 craze and how to handle it with humor and facts. Transcripts available soon!

StarGazing in March 2012

Your StarGazing Shortlist

Mars, All Night Long!

Get ready to see the Red Planet blazing away! Astronomy clubs are having lots of events and you're invited!

Astronomy is Forever

Introduce children & kids to astronomy so that they will have an enduring love of the sky!

StarGazing in February 2012

Your StarGazing Shortlist

Want to Cook Up a Comet?!

Club members do delightful astronomy demonstrations that you'll love!

Fight for Your Right to Starlight!

Join the GLOBE at Night Program

StarGazing in January 2012

Your StarGazing Shortlist

NASA Night Sky Network Astronomy Clubs Reach Almost Two Million People!

Astronomy clubs tirelessly share their telescopes and there are plenty of winter events so bundle up, brave the cold, and stargaze!

How to Watch the Geminid Meteor Shower

We invite stargazers to join the NASA Up All Night Chat and try to spot some meteors yourself!

Jupiter, I Love Your Largeness

Are there seasons on Jupiter?

Mars, You're So Complicated

Are there seasons on the Red Planet?

Venus, You're Too Hot to Handle

Are there seasons on Venus?

Seasons of the Solar System: Mercury

Does the planet Mercury experience seasonal changes, like we do on Earth?

Total Lunar Eclipse on December 10, 2011

Observers in the Northern Hemisphere wake up to coffee and an eclipse (watch before sunrise) and much of the rest of the world will watch the eclipse at night!

NASA'S Mars Launch & How to Spot Mars in November 2011

You can see Mars without binoculars or a telescope, we'll tell you how!

How to Spot Jupiter in November 2011

Jupiter is fun and easy to find!

Bay Area Science Festival Regional Star Party

FREE Star Parties on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at over 20 sites in the San Francisco Bay Area!

Bay Area Science Festival Regional Star Party

FREE Star Parties on Saturday, November 5, 2011 there will be star parties at over 20 sites in the San Francisco Bay Area!

Halloween Treats & Telescopes!

On Halloween, many amateur astronomers set up telescopes and binoculars on their lawns for trick or treaters. This Halloween, a waxing crescent moon and Jupiter will be visible in the east.

NOVA's Finding Life Beyond Earth - Resources for Educators

Fun Activities from our from Finding Life in the Universe ToolKit

Star Light, Star Bright, Can You See Those Stars Tonight?

Join the Great World Wide Star Count, October 14-28, 2011

InOMN Winners Announced

Congratulations to the winners of the International Observe the Moon outreach challenge! These five lucky clubs can look forward to a Moon Globe and a new lunar filter for their outreach activities.

What Does the Moon Mean to You?

Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night with an Astronomy Club, Saturday, October 8, 2011

International Observe the Moon Night, Saturday, October 8, 2011

Pack the car full of friends and family grab some moon munchies, and go out to an astronomy club moon event!

Houston Area Astronomy Day & International Observe the Moon Night: Five Texas Clubs Join Forces to Bring You the Universe!

Free Texas-Style Astronomy Fun on Saturday, October 8th!

Dr. Ned Wright on Exploring the Dark Side of the Solar System with WISE

On Thursday, September 22nd, Dr. Ned Wright presented: Exploring the Dark Side of the Solar System with WISE.

Star Gazing with Dean Regas, Co-Host of Star Gazers

An Interview with Dean Regas on the Thrills of Sharing the Stars with the Public

When the Moon hits your eye. Like a big-a pizza pie. That's amore!

Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night with a Night Sky Network Club!

August 2011 Telecon with Brooke Hsu

On Thursday, August 18, 2011, Brooke Hsu, held a telecon entitled The Changing Face of Earth's Nearest Neighbor: Science Results from the LRO.

Meteor Showers!

Plan Your Meteor Shower Observing with Our Calendar, Get Tips on Observing, & Learn More About Meteors

Solar Observing Before and After Shopping

Oklahoma City Astronomy Club Shows Views of the Sun

Telecon with Dr. David Morrison entitled SEARCHES FOR ALIENS: REAL AND IMAGINED

On Thursday, July 28th we held our Astrobiology Telecon with Dr. David Morrison. If you missed it, check out this article.

Congratulations to our Summer Quarterly Winners!

Check out our Summer Quarterly Prize winners of Lunar Phase Pro, the "Swiss Army Knife" of Moon observing software!

Night Sky Network Club Member Goes Global!

Astronomy Outreach in Kathmandu, Nepal

Stargaze with Award-Winning Astronomy Club Members!

Astronomical Society of the Pacific Awards Night Sky Network Members

The Supernova Spotter

Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh Club Member Spotted the Supernova Through a Scope

Aliens Coming Your Way: Life in the Universe ToolKit

The Night Sky Network's latest ToolKit - Life In the Universe - is about to be released and you don't want to miss it! Be sure to log your club's events this quarter to receive one.

ALCON 2011 & Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival

Get Ready for the Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival & ALCON 2011!

Moon Zoo Mania

Join the Moon Zoo Citizen Science Project and Explore the Moon from Your Computer

Astronomy Every Day, Even at a Mattress Store!

The NASA Night Sky Network Helps You Fuel Your Love of the Sky!

Beyond Astronomy Day

How do you keep up with what's going on in the sky?

Get Your Free Sorting the Solar System Cards!

The Sorting the Solar System activity is a fun way to get to know our Solar System, and leaves room for plenty of improvisation.

Telecon: Stargazers, Starfarers, and Kepler with Dr. Jeffrey Van Cleve, Thursday, May 19th

We held our third of our bi-monthly 2011 telecon series entitled: Stargazers, Starfarers, and Kepler with Dr. Jeffrey Van Cleve on Thursday, May 19, 2011

Celebrate Astronomy Day with a NASA Night Sky Network Club!

Astronomy Day is Saturday, May 7, 2011

Happy 50th to the Warren Astronomical Society!

The Detroit Area's Astro Club Has Great Star Parties & Welcomes Newbies

Second Round of 2011 GLOBE at Night (GaN) Kits & SQM Winners!

Was your club a winner? Here are the results of the Second Round of 2011 GLOBE at Night Kits & Sky Quality Meters (SQM) Drawing.

Congratulations to our Spring Quarterly 2011 Meteorite Winners!

Check Out the Winners of the Spring Quarterly Drawing: 5 More Museum Grade Uruaçu Meteorites!

Congratulations to the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit (SBAU)!

Winner of the 2010 Astronomy Magazine Out-of-this-world Award

Celebrate Global Astronomy Month this April with Astronomy Heroes!

Night Sky Network Clubs are Awaiting You!

Turn Down the Light, Turn Up the Night, International Dark Sky Week is April 1-8, 2011!

Start small, by using the right light fixtures at home and in the neighborhood.

Beyond Earth Hour

Two Great Campaigns for You to Join -
Earth Hour on Saturday, March 26 at 8:30 pm
& GLOBE at Night, A Citizen Science Project

Celebrate the Sun-Earth Day and the Equinox with NASA!

March 19th is Sun-Earth Day and March 20th is the Equinox

Second Round of 2011 GLOBE at Night (GaN) Kits & SQM's

Was your club a winner? You still can be! Here are the results of the First Round of 2011 GLOBE at Night Kits & Sky Quality Meters (SQM) Drawing.

Women of the Sun

Meet Planet Hunter Dr. Natalie Batalha, the Women of NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, and the Science Educators at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific

What's Up for March 2011

Jane Houston Jones from NASA Guides Us Through the Sky

Star Light, Star Bright, Can You See the Stars Tonight?

Help save the stars by participating in GLOBE at Night, a citizen-science campaign where you record how much light pollution is in your area, February 21-March 6, 2011

Bringing NASA into Your Classroom

365 Days of Astronomy Podcast Lists Resources for Informal & Formal Educators

2011 GLOBE at Night Telecon with Dr. Connie Walker

All of us worldwide are concerned about the effects of light pollution. Dr. Connie Walker told us how we could be involved with saving and preserving the night sky. The telecon was held on Thursday, January 20th.

Welcome Winter, Welcome Summer!

Jet Propulsion Laboratory Wants Your Seasonal Photos!

Total Eclipse of the Moon, Night of December 20, 2010

Answers to Your Questions About the Eclipse

Geminid Meteor Shower, You Are Amazing!

December 13th & 14th, 2010

A Baby Black Hole & Supernova 1979C

SN1979C Discovered by an Amateur Astronomer

November 18, 2010 Telecon: Cosmic Disasters, Real and Imagined with Dr. Alan Harris

We held our kickoff of our Space Rocks ToolKit with our Teleconference by Dr. Alan Harris, was held Thursday, November 18th. We heard all about Cosmic Disasters, Real and Imagined.

Community Events & Astronomy with the NASA Night Sky Network

Fun for the Whole Family!

Join the Great World Wide Star Count Oct. 29-Nov. 12, 2010!

Star Light, Star Bright, Can You See Those Stars Tonight?

Join the Great World Wide Star Count Oct. 29-Nov. 2010!

Star Light, Star Bright, Can You See Those Stars Tonight?

New Yorkers Discover the Moon

Budding astronomers learn why the moon appears to change shape. What will YOU discover with your local astronomy club this fall?

Everyone's lining up for Fall Astronomy Day!

Saturday, October 16th is Fall Astronomy Day. Find out where you can see the Sun or go stargazing with astronomy clubs around the country.

Science Expo Fun!

Contact an astronomy club!

Almost 100 Events for International Observe the Moon Night!

It's Never Too Late to Learn About the Moon - Contact An Astronomy Club!

Pink Floyd's the Dark Side of the Moon & International Observe the Moon Night

Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night with a Night Sky Network Club on Saturday, September 18, 2010!

Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night with a Night Sky Network Club!

On Saturday, September 18, 2010, Observe the Moon with the World!

Will Mars Look as Big as the Full Moon on Aug 27, 2010? No, impossible!

Contact Your Local Astronomy Club & See the Planets as You've Never Seen Them!

Fantastic Family Friendly Astronomy Events

Find family astronomy events that are (mostly) free for your kids using the free iPhone App: Go StarGaze!

Free Go StarGaze iPhone App!

Find astronomy events & clubs all over the USA!

Congratulations Quarterly Winners!

We're Sending You a Moon Globe

Where's Kepler Looking?

You can see the area of the sky where NASA's Kepler Mission is searching for planets like the one we live on.

Moon Zoo Mania

Join the craze to explore the moon from your computer!

A First Love is a Lasting Love in Astronomy

Get involved with the universe at an early age.

Vast Distance: Solar System, Galaxy, & Universe

In less than 2 minutes you'll understand more about the difference between these three!

Celebrate Astronomy Every Day (and Night)

The clear skies and warmer weather of spring usher in the stargazing season. Find astronomy events near you and celebrate with the amazing astronomy clubs in the NASA Night Sky Network.

Star Gaze with the Best Astronomy Enthusiasts in the USA

Celebrate Astronomy every day with award-winning Night Sky Network club members.

Celebrate Global Astronomy Month with the World!

April is Global Astronomy Month

Spring is here...

And telescopes are coming out of the garages and into the parks and schoolyards. Click here to take a look at astronomy events across the country in early Spring. What's happening in your neighborhood?

Discover the Stars!

Look up at night! Can YOU see the stars?
The GLOBE at Night Campaign is now on! This annual 2-week campaign helps address light pollution locally as well as globally.
How can you participate?

Discover the Solar System!

Our Sun and planets make up the Solar System. If we shrink the Sun to be one meter (39 inches) in diameter, how big would the planets be?

Find out by attending events with your local astronomy club.

Discover the Suns!

With the grip of winter upon us and still holding tight, we all want a glimpse of the Sun. Safely observe the Sun with your local astronomy club.

Find local Astronomy Events!

Find astronomy events in your community.
"Wonderful! Navigation is simple, the wealth of information is fantastic!"

Find local Astronomy Events!

Find astronomy events in your community.
"Wonderful! Navigation is simple, the wealth of information is fantastic!"

Announcing New and Expanded Night Sky Network Website Coming December 1st!

If you like the NASA Night Sky Network now, just wait 'til you see what you can do starting December 1st.

New improved Website Coming Soon!

As part of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009, the Night Sky Network will be adding some new and exciting features to our website to help you find what you want when you want it.

What is the Fate of the Universe?

That's this months International Year of Astronomy Theme. Find out how you can learn more about the Universe, our Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy with your local Night Sky Network astronomy club.

What is the Fate of the Universe?

Do you ever ponder that question? Over summer vacation did you travel to some new and exciting places?
Even if you didn't you can with the aid of the Night Sky Network. Here are a few examples of how these skilled amateur astronomers can help.

Galileoscopes were given away as our Quarterly Prize

To show our appreciation to Night Sky Network clubs, for your fantastic outreach efforts and to recognize your dedication to your community during this third quarter of 2009, our Quarterly Prize were six Galileoscopes to each of five qualifying clubs. See who won!

Our Magnificent Moon with Jupiter and the Jovian Moons

These are the highlights in the night sky your local astronomy club would love to tell and show you about. For the month of September, the Night Sky Network is focusing on Planets and Moons. You can see Jupiter and our Moon tonight. Over 400 years ago Galileo gazed in wonderment at Jupiter and its moons. Explore the heavens as Galileo did and share the excitement. Here's a few examples of how we're doing it.

Cometary Cooking Class is Cool

Cooking up a comet is a fun experience and an excellent way to learn about rocks and ice in our Solar System, especially if you mix in enthusiastic amateur astronomers from the Night Sky Network and a bunch of kids.

Catch the Excitement!

The summer season is upon us, and with that are fun events, both indoors and out. Let's see what Night Sky Network Clubs are up to and catch the excitement.

Curious about Black Holes?

What is a black hole? A black hole is a region of space that has so much mass concentrated in it that there is no way for a nearby object to escape its gravitational pull. Do you have misgivings about getting sucked up by a black hole? Fear not. Your local Night Sky Network astronomy club can help explain the mysteries of these curious objects.

Are You Ready to be Inspired?

Whether it's inspiring students, having a safe place to hang out or seeing cool stuff in the night sky like exploding stars, your local amateur astronomers will show and tell you all about it.

Clusters of Stars Draw Kids Attention

Hands-on participation can't be beat! One of the great attractors to the night sky are star clusters. Look up in a dark sky and you will see from a few to a few thousand stars. Some of these stars, like our Sun, are loners as they move around the galaxy. Others reside in clusters, and these clusters can be some of the most beautiful sights visible in a backyard telescope.

Over 1,000,000!

Find out why over 1,000,000 pairs of eyes are enjoying the day and night sky, and keep coming back for more!

Seen Any Stars Lately?

Have you looked into the eyepiece of a telescope and seen the wonders of the Universe? Or have you ever taken apart a telescope to see how it works? If not, here's your chance!

Coming to a Sidewalk Near You: A Telescope!

Have you looked into the eyepiece of a telescope and seen the wonders of the Universe? If not, here's your chance! Between Thursday, April 2nd and Sunday, April 5th you can have this fabulous opportunity.

Let's Have a Star Party

GLOBE at Night is happening March 16-28th! What are your plans? No matter what the weather, day or night, amateur astronomers from the Night Sky Network are always happy to show you the wonders of the Universe.

Have you ever looked through a telescope?

Now's the time! Join our celebration of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA 2009) with your local amateur astronomy club and enjoy the wonders of the day and night sky.

The Super Solar System, 10,000 Events and IYA 2009 for February

Not only can you look into the night sky, but by using a safe solar telescope you can view our nearest star, the Sun during the day. Check out our International Year of Astronomy February Feature and see what these Girl Scouts are so excited about.

Are You Ready to Observe?

You may have heard by now of IYA 2009. Well, if not here goes. In this year of 2009, the world will celebrate the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) as it commemorates the 400th anniversary of Galileo's use of a telescope to study the skies. Over 140 countries are participating. In the US, here's how we're getting involved.

The International Year of Astronomy 2009. What does it mean to you?

Why are these folks looking in this telescope? They are experiencing discovery. Come join the fun. Look at the Moon, Jupiter and Venus. See what Galileo saw 400 years ago.

Get the Lowdown on what's Down Low (Near the Horizon)

What's that bright star you see in the western evening twilight? And what about the other one? Well, they're both planets and not stars after all. Find out more about these heavenly bodies with your local Night Sky Network amateur astronomy club.

How to Make a Sidewalk Ready Radio Telescope

The Green Bank NRAO Telescope and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific invite you to attend a telecon for fun to share information about building a "sidewalk ready" radio telescope, with speaker Sue Ann Heatherly. We hope you find this telecon refreshing and pique your interest in another avenue of observing the Universe.

Would you like to send your name into space?

Would you like to send your name into space? You can, on the Kepler Mission spacecraft, until Thanksgiving on November 27th.

Watch The Journey to Palomar, airing on most PBS stations.

It has been said that George Ellery Hale did for the entire universe what Christopher Columbus did only for the Earth. Most people have never heard of Hale, but his life and work had a profound effect on the development of 20th century science in America, most notably astronomy. Watch The Journey to Palomar, airing soon on most PBS stations.

Are you being served?

Over eight hundred thousand people seem to think so! Since inception of the Night Sky Network, member amateur astronomy clubs from all over the United States have enthusiastically supported outreach. Find out what a sample of clubs are doing across the country.

The Bear Essentials

Finding the wonders of the day and night sky is fun, even for curious bears. Check out what has Smokey so interested in astronomy.

Hubble Completes 100k Orbit

In commemoration of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) completing its 100,000th orbit around the Earth, scientists have aimed Hubble to take a snapshot of a dazzling birthplace of stars.

Umbra ... Penumbra. What's It to You?

What is the big deal about a Total Solar Eclipse? Plenty.

A total solar eclipse is probably the most spectacular astronomical event that most people will experience in their lives. Many thousands of amateur and professional astronomers travel worldwide to observe and photograph them, but there is plenty to learn and observe right here.

The Perseids are coming! The Perseids are coming!

On a warm summer night have you ever looked up in a nice dark sky and saw a streak of bright yellow orange and wonder what it was? Well if not, you should this year. Chances are it was from a meteor shower.

Can You Dig It?

The Phoenix Lander has arrived on Mars and amateur astronomy clubs are getting the word out about what it is digging up.

Over 700,000 Served

Over 700,000 have been served..not hamburgers, but people, by members of the Night Sky Network. Check out the big events the Night Sky Network affiliated amateur astronomer clubs around the United States have made. These clubs making a huge impact to bring you a better understanding of astronomy and the science and inspiration of NASA's exciting missions.

Astronomy Day is Not Just For Kids-
But look what they can do

Astronomy Day 2008 is right around the corner. On May 10th, astronomy clubs around the country will be celebrating with their communities. Many bring out their telescopes, others make scale models of the Solar System or of the Universe. And a surprising number let the kids have all of the fun showing off what they know about the wonders of astronomy. Hear how young people made last year's Astronomy Day a success.

Spectacular Saturn

There is nothing like looking at Saturn through a telescope for the first time. It has stirred the emotions of many novices and even turned some of them into amateur and professional astronomers. Hear what these astronomy clubs have to say about showing Saturn to some astounded groups.

Not Sure Where to Start?

If you have an interest in astronomy, want to know more about the night sky, or are thinking of buying a telescope, then an astronomy club should be your first stop. Across the country, amateur astronomers are helping more and more people become star struck and learn about what's up.