Author Archives: Cort Vaughan

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 […]

Find the perfect Valentines gift for the star gazer or astronomy buff. Whether they are a beginner or expert, there are plenty of options that will leave them starry-eyed. Are you looking for a perfect gift for your special someone who loves astronomy? Here are some ideas to help you find the best gift for your astronomy lover this Valentine’s Day.  Telescope  A telescope is a classic and essential tool for any astronomy enthusiast. It allows them to observe the night sky and discover the wonders of the universe. There are different types of telescopes, each with their own advantages […]

December 2023 is an exciting month for skywatchers with the most meteors and the brightest asteroid. Learn how to view these special events. December 1-2 starts your opportunity to see Asteroid Vesta, the brightest asteroid visible from Earth.  It is at opposition, meaning it is directly on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, and at its closest and brightest for the year. This is a good time to try viewing it with binoculars or a small telescope. Look for it to move northward in the sky between Gemini and Orion during the month. Use your favorite skywatching app to […]

Planets, stars, meteors, and longer nights for your November skywatching pleasure. Learn why Jupiter is so bright that you can see its moons, then later this month watch meteors, more planets, and a star cluster. The nights will be longer, so you will have more time to enjoy your favorite constellations. Jupiter was in opposition last night (November 2-3). What does it mean when a planet is in opposition? The Earth and Jupiter are revolving around the sun at different rates. Every 13 months, the earth moves in between Jupiter and the sun. This is also the time when Jupiter […]

An annular solar eclipse is coming on October 14. Get ready!  Learn about the annular eclipse that will cross from Oregon to Texas on October 14, 2023. A great skywatching opportunity before winter sets in. Junior Ranger views the eclipse at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. Photo by George Garbeck, Graphics Coordinator Department of Communications, Paterson Public Schools What is an annular solar eclipse?  An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, but does not completely cover the sun. Instead, the moon covers most of the sun, leaving its outer edge visible as […]

Lurid Tales of Constellation Pegasus the Winged Horse  Join us as we learn the lurid tale of the constellation Pegasus the Winged Horse, which is one of the largest constellations in the sky.  Symbolism: Pegasus the Winged Horse  Mythology: In Greek mythology, Pegasus is a white winged horse that sprang from the neck of the Gorgon Medusa when Perseus beheaded her. Medusa was a beautiful young woman before she was turned into a monster by the goddess Athena after being caught being defiled by the sea god Poseidon in the goddess’ temple. Athena turned Medusa’s hair into snakes and made […]

Don’t miss the supermoon tonight and another one at the end of the month. Learn about the celestial delights that await stargazers in August, including two supermoons and the Perseid Meteor shower.  As the warm days of summer transition into the cooler nights of August, the skies above offer a dazzling array of celestial treats for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts. This month brings with it a host of astronomical events, ranging from meteor showers to planetary displays, making it a perfect time to gaze at the wonders of the universe. So, grab your telescope or binoculars and mark your calendar, […]