The Backyard Astronomer
July 2024 – T Coronae Borealis – The Blaze Star
The Ancients observed many of the same “naked eye” phenomena that we also see today, and although their understanding of these astronomical events was limited, they knew something unique was occurring. Episodes…
June 2024 – Planets on Parade
Around 4.5 billion years ago, our solar system was nothing more than a large cloud of gas and dust, not much different than the Orion Nebula (Messier 42) that we enjoy looking…
May 2024 – The Sombrero Galaxy
The late 18th Century was a golden age of astronomical discoveries. After Galileo famously pointed his early invention at the heavens in 1609, Dutch glassmakers spent decades perfecting the lens technology that…
April 2024 – Solar Cycles and Sunspots
Nearly 3,000 years ago, The Chinese Yi Jing or “Book of Changes” documented small, irregular concealments in the surface of the Sun. By 300 BC, both Eastern and Western cultures were documenting…
March 2024 – Vernal Equinox and Spring Beehives
Tuesday, 19 March, at exactly 8:06 PM MST, denotes the moment when the Sun will again be directly over Earth’s equator. As viewed from Central Yavapai County at approximately 34.54° N, we…
Unicorns and Roses
A lesser-known and relatively modern constellation occupies the void between Orion, Canis Major, Hydra and Gemini, though the stars are difficult to see with the naked eye due to modern light pollution. …
Dancing Planets
The planet Mercury is a unique specimen within our solar system. Orbiting every 88 days, this closest rocky body to our Sun has no geological activity and virtually no atmosphere. Its surface…
December 2023 – Geminids Meteor Shower
Meteor showers are generally produced when the Earth passes through the remnant tail of a comet, often long after it has visited our inner Solar System. July’s Perseids are a gift from…
October 2023 – Annular Eclipse
If you happen to be around the Four Corners area on October 14th, make sure to have your solar eclipse glasses with you. After that day, you will be able to tell…
September 2023 – Archers, Teapots, and the Milky Way
From double full super moons to ringed giants at opposition, August was full of local events in our Solar System, whereas September takes us back to some amazing deep sky objects. Many…