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The Big Dipper and maybe Orion are often where star gazers start learning the constellations. They are beautiful and bright and a perfect way to start enjoying the stars. If you’re ready to learn your way around the night sky, here are a few suggestions for next steps. Cygnus the Swan. Cygnus makes a sideways cross high in the sky in summer. The brightest star, Deneb, marks one corner of the Summer Triangle. In winter, Cygnus stands as a large cross low in the western horizon around...

Astronomy is a pastime that usually takes place after the sun goes down. But what happens if you work nights? Or your kids go to bed early? Maybe you have a friend who feels uncomfortable being out after dark. How can you ease into the wonders of the night sky when the sun still shines? Here are a few suggestions. Moon. The moon isn’t only up at night, of course. The best time to see the moon during the day is right before and after full moon. In the week leading up to full moon, it will...

Sleep is essential both at home and when traveling. At home you have some control over your situation, but it’s harder when you’re traveling. Since I’m not a fan of sleep masks, when I stay at a hotel, I’ll often ask for a room as far away from parking lot lights as possible, but that’s not always something the hotel staff can accommodate. Until hotels regularly dim their lights inside and out at night, here are some suggestions for darkening your room when you’re traveling. Curtains. To...