Stargazing citizen scientists show how constellations are dimming at an alarming rate 19 Jan 2023. 2:20 PM By Joshua Sokol The star pattern Western astronomers call Orion has long drawn our eyes to the night skies. Some Ki’che’ Maya people see it as a cosmic hearth. For the Khoisan people of southern Africa, it’s an … Read more

How to Watch the ‘Green Comet’ in Night Skies By Shannon Hall January 20, 2023 A green-hued comet from the outer solar system is set to swing through Earth’s neighborhood in the coming days for the first time in 50,000 years. The comet has been steadily gaining brightness and will make its closest approach on … Read more

Thank you to Aris Pope for permission to show this gobsmacking view Jellyfish Nebula (IC443), the supernova remnant approximately 5,000 light years from Earth. Pope’s one photo is comprised of 6 hours of data collected during one night! more about this photo here. Please check back because as soon as we can, we’ll feature more … Read more

The Lost Trail National Wildlife Reserve was named an International Dark Sky Refuge on October 31, 2022. “As an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Lost Trail provides a unique and special opportunity for visitors to experience a pristine dark and quiet environment with minimal influences from humankind,” stated Ashley Wilson, IDA’s Director of Conservation. “Refuge staff, … Read more

Sunday, October 9, 2022 is International “Dim the Lights for Birds at Night” day! POINT REYES DANCE PALACE CELEBRATION!   A close friend of Peter Gradjansky’s (John Timothy. one of the founders of the Dance Palace) has reserved the Dance Palace for THIS COMING SATURDAY, October 8, at 7 p.m. for a presentation by an … Read more

In working on the Dark Sky initiative, we’ve become accustomed to meeting so many enthusiastic supporters. Recently, Supervisor Dennis Rodoni’s staff forwarded a letter from dark sky photographer Marsha Kirschbaum. “I … saw where West Marin is supporting a dark sky preserve. I am ecstatic about this. Though I do not live in Marin County, … Read more

Don made a few changes to the August starchart we distributed last month. Please grab the new version of “Don Jolley’s Star Guide for August” – charts as usual, but here with a complete commentary for the month. It can be downloaded for folks to use on their own. … Already started on a guide … Read more

July 12, 2022 A story about the harmful health effects of nighttime light on senior citizens arrived in my feed today, a day after seeing my cardiologist for my post-heart attack visit. I thought I’d share it because of its significant implications for townspeople who suffer from external light trespass shining through windows and eyelids … Read more

June skies! A real treat for stargazers.