Author Archives: Cort Vaughan

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 16th and it will be invisible! How can that be possible? Because May 16th 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 […]

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 C/2025 R2 (SWAN) Named for the Solar Wind Anisotropies (SWAN) instrument that detected it, this comet is brightening for Northern Hemisphere viewers […]

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 […]

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. Experience Over Items Give the gift of an experience, instead of more stuff. Escape from the city lights and visit an International Dark Sky site […]

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. 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 […]

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 […]