The Rhythm of the Spheres
Reading the Night Sky
Wandering in Astronomy
The night sky is the oldest pattern of man, and every culture reads it differently. The stars above keep silent time, moving to a rhythm we are just now beginning to understand. Astronomy is where math, science, art, music, and words meet in a wondrous collision. In this section of our site, learn the basics of astronomy: from how a star chart is made, to projections and art that map the night sky, to how an astrolabe works just like it did thousands of years ago. Watch the North Star shift across centuries, explore how one sky has been mapped by many traditions, read what happened on this day in space, and see tonight’s moon for your location.
Map the Stars
The math behind star charts, with a projection explorer and a working astrolabe.
The Moving Sky
How the sky shifts across centuries, with a precession clock you can run.
The Traditions
One sky reads many ways, with a same-sky overlay of the world’s constellations.
This Day in the Stars
The sky’s events, discoveries, and lore tied to today’s date.
The Moon Tonight
Its phase and face, drawn live for where you’re standing.
The Elusive Jellyfish Nebula
Customized Star Charts Coming 1st Quarter 2027
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Visible planets and night sky guide for August and September
Visible planets and night sky guide: Look for the moon close to Saturn tonight. Plus Jupiter is returning at dawn. Watch the new "this week's sky" video.
ReadThe Sky Today on Monday, August 31: Venus and Spica gather close
Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column. August 30: The Moon, Neptune, and Saturn In the evening sky, blazing Venus is less than 2° southwest of …
ReadThe SKA project: A model for dialogue between historical astronomical archives, local memory and modern science
Humans have been observing the sky for thousands of years. Our ancestors were undoubtedly fascinated by it, but observing the heavens also had practical uses: It helped people measure time, both ov…
ReadNASA's newest space telescope launches on a quest to explore the hidden universe
NASA's newest crown jewel blasted off Sunday to hunt for planets around other stars, explore secret dark energy and survey the cosmos like never before.
ReadAug. 30, 1984: Space Shuttle Discovery launches
The third member of NASA’s space shuttle program, Discovery had a fraught journey to its launch. First, a test in June of 1984 found a flaw in the thermal shield; then a launch scheduled for late…
ReadWATCH HERE: Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launch
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched successfully on Sunday morning, August 30, from the Kennedy Space Center. Livestream replay here.
ReadSun news: Earth awaits a blob from the sun
Sun news August 30, 2026: Coronal hole wind pushed Kp to 4+, and a slow CME grazes Earth today. AR4517 is about to depart, leaving a quiet disk behind.
ReadNASA's Roman telescope set to launch on cosmic mapping mission
NASA is preparing to launch its new flagship space telescope on Sunday, embarking on a multiyear mission to create an unprecedented map of the cosmos and shed light on some of the biggest mysteries…
ReadThe Sky Today on Sunday, August 30: The Moon, Neptune, and Saturn
Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column. August 29: Double star Zeta Lyrae The waxing Moon passes 5° north of Neptune at 9 A.M. EDT. Although bot…
Read