November’s night sky offers a dynamic showcase of celestial events, highlighted by multiple meteor showers, an intimate planetary conjunction, and a bright supermoon.

As temperatures drop across the Northern Hemisphere, crisp autumn air provides remarkably clear viewing conditions for stargazers of all experience levels to witness these scientific phenomena with the naked eye.

Annual Meteor Showers: Taurids and Leonids

Earth passes through several ancient cometary debris streams throughout the month of November:

• The Taurids (Peak Nov 12): Generated by dust shed from Comet 2P/Encke, the Taurid showers produce modest hourly counts of roughly five meteors per hour. However, they are celebrated for delivering slow-moving, luminous fireballs that streak across the sky.
• The Leonids (Peak: Nov 17–18): Originating from Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, Leonid particles enter Earth’s upper atmosphere at velocities exceeding 70 kilometers per second (about 44 miles per second), creating rapid ionization trails. According to NASA’s Skywatching Guide, skywatchers positioned away from artificial light pollution can expect 10 to 15 swift meteors per hour radiating from the constellation Leo during pre-dawn hours once the moon sets.

You won’t see Mars and Jupiter like this without professional standard telescopes, but they’re going to be close enough in the sky this week to make a beautiful sight for the unaided eye.
Image Credit: Natalllenka.m/Shutterstock.com, Modified by IFLScience

 Planetary Rendezvous: Mars Meets Jupiter

On the mornings of mid-November, culminating around November 15–16, Mars and Jupiter stage a stunning apparent conjunction in the southeastern sky before dawn. Although the planets remain separated by hundreds of millions of kilometers in three-dimensional space, Earth’s vantage point aligns them just 1.2 degrees apart—easily fitting together inside a single standard binocular field of view.

 The Full Beaver Supermoon

On November 24, the full Moon coincides with perigee, the point in its elliptical orbit closest to Earth. This creates a “supermoon,” making our lunar neighbor appear subtly larger and brighter than average, as highlighted by The Planetary Society. Grab a warm jacket, give your eyes 30 minutes to adapt to the dark, and enjoy the show!

You can view your star online!

The SKY-MAP.ORG website has a detailed star sky map that allows you to search for your star and display it in on your phone, tablet, or monitor. You can then use the celestial address (coordinates) from your Name a Star Certificate of Registration and the website will take you to a view of your star!  
 
You can zoom in and out, plus scan around to see what is near your star. There is even an option to print an astrophoto.
 
Sky-Map is not affiliated with Name a Star.  
 
Here is a simple explanation for using SKY-MAP:

Enter the coordinates or star number in the Find Object box.
Use colons between the coordinate numbers and a space between Right Ascension and Declination. Don’t forget the + or – sign. For example, enter 03 Hrs. 31 Min. 19 Sec. and Declination of +25° 13’ 59“ as 03:31:19 +25:13:59.
You can also use the star number. Tycho is abbreviated TYC. The colon on the Name a Star star number should be replaced with a dash. You may need to add a -1 at the end of the number.

 
For more detailed instructions, click on the Getting Started tab to learn how to use Sky-Map.

Did you know that you can view and print images of Astro photos from some of the best known telescopes? 

The Barbara A. Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST) is an astronomical data archive focused on the optical, ultraviolet, and near-infrared.

MAST hosts data from over a dozen missions like Webb, Hubble, TESS, Kepler, and in the future Roman.

You can use the coordinates from your Name a Star Certificate of Registration to print a photo of your star at STScI Digitized Sky Survey which is supported by MAST.

You only need to enter your coordinates (celestial address) and change the File format from FITS to GIF. Leave all of the other fields in their default position. The coordinates need to be entered in the format required by Sky Survey. The RA number should look like 20h 41m 50.69s and the Dec number should look like +53 17′ 09.6″.

If you have questions about the format, click on Retrieve Image on the webpage for more instructions. Once you have made the changes to the form, click on the RETRIEVE IMAGE button. It will show you a photo of the sky with your star centered. You can print this photo or download it to your computer.

The images on Sky Survey are for personal use only and subject to copyright.

Name a Star is not affiliated with the Digitized Sky Survey.

May brings two full moons and a Supermoon to celebrate Mother’s Day. Read on to learn surprising facts about these extraordinary moon phases and find the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

A Supermoon occurs when the moon is at its closest point to our planet during its elliptical rotation around earth. May’s Supermoon occurs on the 16^th and it will be invisible! How can that be possible? Because May 16^th will bring us both a Supermoon and a New Moon or a Super New Moon. The moon will be completely in earth’s shadow, so none of the moon will be lit up by the sun.

Let’s back up to the first night in May, when Mom gets a full moon known as the Flower Moon. What could be more appropriate for Mom’s month, than the Flower Moon. It is also a Micro Moon at its farthest point from earth in its elliptical orbit.

But wait, there is more. The last day in May is another full moon. When we see two full moons in the same month, we call the second full moon a Blue Moon. Have you heard the term “Once in a Blue Moon”? Some believe that term may have originated when smoke and ashes after a volcanic eruption turned the Moon blue. Now we use that term to refer to a rare event. Blue Moons are rare. We won’t get another Blue Moon until 2027, so take Mom outside to experience this fun event. While you are out there, show her the star that you named after her.

Don’t miss the two newly discovered comets visible this month!

 Learn how to view these exciting new comets and how they were discovered.

October 2025 will be a memorable month of celestial viewing. Stargazers can spot two comets, C/2025 R2 (SWAN) and C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), as they make their closest approach to Earth. While binoculars are recommended for the best view, there is a chance the comets may brighten enough to be seen with the naked eye.

Comet Swan
By Филипп Романов – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,

Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN)

Named for the Solar Wind Anisotropies (SWAN) instrument that detected it, this comet is brightening for Northern Hemisphere viewers throughout the month.

• When to watch: This long-period comet will make its closest approach to Earth on October 19.
• Where to look: In mid-October, find a dark location an hour after sunset and look to the southwest.
• How to view: Binoculars or a small telescope are your best bet. While its magnitude makes it just shy of naked-eye visibility under dark skies, it is notoriously unpredictable and could brighten unexpectedly.

Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon)

Comet Lemon might be the best comet of 2025. Discovered in January 2025 by astronomers at the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter in Arizona. This comet could be one of the brightest of the year.

• When to watch: It will be closest to Earth on October 21.
• Where to look: For Northern Hemisphere observers, look toward the Big Dipper in the northwestern evening sky during the second half of October.
• How to view: Around its peak visibility in late October and early November, it could brighten enough for naked-eye viewing in very dark conditions.

Viewing tips

For the best experience, find a dark location away from city lights and other light pollution. Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for at least 20 minutes. Star-charting apps can help you pinpoint the comets’ exact locations in real time.

October is also when the annual Orionid meteor shower is active, peaking around October 20–21, so keep an eye out for meteors streaking across the sky while you’re comet-hunting.

New comets are numbered and named. Stars receive only a number, which means that you can name a star.

Fall 2025 brings some of the year’s most anticipated celestial events.

Perseid Meteor Shower – Photo by CGTN

Don’t miss meteor showers that pierce the night sky, lunar spectacles that ignite awe, and a great way to share it all.

The season begins with the Orionids meteor shower, peaking October 22–23. With only a 2% illuminated moon, these swift meteors will streak across dark skies, offering excellent viewing conditions across the continent.

Next up are the Taurid meteor showers. The Southern Taurids peak November 3–4, and the Northern Taurids follow November 8–9. The Taurids are generally more noticeable around late October to early November when they overlap. Though a bright moon may dim the view, the showers are famed for their fireballs—bright flares often seen even in moonlight-polluted skies.

Mid-November (November 16–17) brings the Leonids, renowned for fast, bright meteors. Fortunately, moonlight is minimal (just 9%), making it a great opportunity for clear skywatching.

The end of fall brings us the Geminids, peaking December 13–14 with 39% moonlight—enough darkness to reveal over 100 meteors per hour, including many multicolored displays.

While North America will unfortunately miss the total lunar eclipse on September 7, seen primarily across Europe, Asia, and Australia, the season more than makes up for it with these dynamic meteor events.

 Best viewing tips:

• Choose a dark sky location away from city lights.
• Let your eyes adjust for 15–20 minutes.
• Dress warmly, and bring a reclining chair for comfortable all-night observation.
• Use star-map apps to track radiant points like Orion, Leo, and Gemini.
• Surprise a friend or loved one with their own star.

From serene starfields to explosive meteor displays, fall 2025 in North America is set to be a stellar season.

What Is a Unique Gift For The Summer Birthday Person?

Summer birthdays land between June and August, moments rich with sunshine, adventure, and outdoor fun. Unlike cooler months, this season invites gifts that echo warm-weather vibes—whether it’s enjoying the sun, creating lasting memories, or viewing the dark sky at your favorite vacation hide away. Favorite unique gifts include a picnic tote blanket for park days, balsamic vinegar sets for summer feasts, and your own personal star.

1. Experience Over Items
   

   Dark Sky Milky Way

Give the gift of an experience, instead of more stuff. Escape from the city lights and visit an International Dark Sky site to view the Milky Way in its summer glory. Sign up for a cooking class, hot-air balloon ride, or nature hike. For a more local twist, book a paint‑and‑sip session or outdoor mixology class to turn a summer evening into a shared memory.

2. Summer Essentials with Style

Pair practical and chic:

• Picnic blankets or portable beach tables—ideal for lakeside lounging.
• Fun pool & backyard gear like a Supersized Bubble Blaster or oversized pool towel.
• Portable tech: a neck fan or Bluetooth speaker brings summer comfort and sound wherever they roam.

3. DIY & Eco‑Friendly Gifts

Handmade gifts show care! Craft a jar of homemade jam with seasonal berries or assemble a garden basket with seeds, a planter, and tools. A custom can cooler with favorite photos is fun and practical in equal measure.

4. Creative & Artsy Surprises

For the creatively inclined, consider an ice-dye or embroidery kit—or a travel watercolor set. These foster creativity and align with summer’s relaxed energy.

5. Personalized Keepsakes

Add a heartfelt touch with personalized gifts: think engraved jewelry, monogrammed coolers, or name a star after them for the ultimate unique gift. A photo‑printed water bottle or custom puzzle filled with summer memories also captures moments perfectly.

Final Thoughts

A great summer birthday gift goes beyond wrapping—it celebrates sunshine, personality, and shared joy. Whether it’s a custom treasure, a weekend experience, or an accessory that doubles as an adventure, these ideas combine thoughtfulness with season‑specific fun. So next time you gift someone born under the summer sun, pick something that brightens their day—just like the season itself.

Happy gifting—and keep looking up!

Hey stargazers, find out what is happening in the February night sky.

It is a fantastic time to stargaze, as the night skies offer many exciting celestial events. Whether you’re an amateur or seasoned skywatcher, February 2025 brings an array of phenomena worth observing.

February 2025 Planetary Alignment

1. The Winter Constellations Winter offers clear skies and long nights, making it one of the best seasons to spot iconic constellations. In February, the brilliant constellations of Orion, Taurus, and Gemini dominate the southern sky. Orion, with its famous Belt, is easily recognizable and hosts a number of fascinating deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula (M42). Nearby, the Hyades star cluster and the Pleiades are also visible, with the latter offering a beautiful, misty look.
2. The Planets align on February 4^th. You may be able to see Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn. Act quick because Saturn will fade from site later in the month.
3. The Full Moon February 2025 features a “Snow Moon” on February 15, named for the time of year when heavy snowfall typically occurs in the northern hemisphere. The full moon will be visible across the world and is an excellent opportunity for lunar enthusiasts to observe its surface in detail, especially if you have a telescope. The full moon also influences the visibility of fainter stars and deep-sky objects.
4. Meteor Showers While February doesn’t bring a major meteor shower like the Geminids or Perseids, keep an eye out for occasional sporadic meteors. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a “shooting star” as Earth passes through leftover debris from comets.

Final Thoughts February is the perfect time to give that special friend or loved one their very own star from Name a Star.  Stargazing in February 2025 is sure to be a rewarding experience with a little patience and clear skies. So, grab a blanket or telescope, head outside, and immerse yourself in the wonders of the cosmos!

Find bargains for the perfect gift for the skywatcher or astronomer on your 2024 Holiday gift list. Check out the ideas below from Name a Star. Stargazers  from beginner to advanced and young to old.

Know someone who is dreaming of becoming an astronaut, but currently a couch potato?  You could start that special person with a good pair of binoculars. If they are ready for a telescope, don’t waste your money on one that is difficult to assemble or too complicated. Here is a list of quality telescopes ranging from $100 to $2,000.

Don’t be confused by terms like focal length, aperture, reflector, and refractor. A reflector telescope uses mirrors and a refractor telescope uses lenses. A Catadioptric telescope combines the best of all of these features.

There are even travel telescopes, so stargazers can take their passion with them. They are lightweight, compact, and easy to set up. If the recipient lives in an apartment or space is at a premium, then this may be the best choice for them.

A gift of the stars is a great way to involve kids in science and a hobby that could last a lifetime. Get t the whole family off the couch  with the book 50 Things To See With A Telescope.

Not all gifts need to be wrapped. Why not plan an entertaining, yet educational group activity, like learning why the moon has craters? Make a dough out of flour and oil, then drop pebbles on this “moon surface” to see what kind of craters they make.

If your loved one has all of the gear they need, then take them on a dark sky vacation. One of my favorites is Kartchner Caverns. Whether it is a visit to your back yard or a trip to Arizona, get outside to enjoy the night sky.

If you really want to send that special person into space, name a star after them. Name a Star offers a variety of Holiday gifts. You can even put a special message on the certificate of registration letting them know what a special friend they are.