Starry Trails – Archives

What did I miss ?! – Look back at the last few months and see what you might have missed when stargazing.

 

April 2021

Spring is here and warmer starry nights are in bloom! I hope you are lucky enough to hear the sounds of spring peepers on a spring night. Mars continues to rule in the western sky after sunset, passing through the constellation Taurus, the Bull (Illustration 1). In our predawn sky, Jupiter and Saturn are low in the southeast, but continue to climb higher each morning (Illustration 2).

Time to get out and enjoy a clear spring night! Our sun sets later now, so our hike will begin around  9:00 pm. You may still need to grab your jacket, hat and gloves. Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map and binoculars. Take a minute to listen to the sounds of spring peepers filling the air!

It is time to say farewell to the magnificent Hunter, Orion. Orion will return to our night sky once again in early winter.

Follow on Facebook and get weekly updates of the night sky also any special events! Plus there are printable kids activity sheets & more!

Starry Trails  Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Night Sky Checklist

March 2021

Wow, I am really looking forward to spring and celebrating the first day of Spring on March 20th It will be wonderful to see the early spring flowers and our familiar spring constellations! Our nights will be getting warmer and the sounds of spring peepers will begin to fill the air , by month s end. Mars continues to delight us in the evening sky all month long, shining brightly, high in the western sky,

On March 4, Mars passes 3 degrees south of the Pleiades star cluster (Illustration 1) Then on March 20, Mars passes 7 degrees north of the red, orange star Aldebaran, the eye of Taurus the Bull (Illustration 2).

Remember that Daylight Savings Time starts on March 14th , so the sun sets later. Our hike will begin at 8:30 pm , bundle up, hats, gloves, and coats and grab your Starry Trail Map and binoculars. We will still be able to see our dazzling stars of winter too !

Follow on Facebook and get weekly updates of the night sky also any special events! Plus there are printable kids activity sheets & more!

Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Night Sky Checklist

February 2021
Even though our weather is still cold in February, there is nothing like stepping out on a clear night and being greeted by the dazzling stars of winter!  Mars continues to shine brightly high in the southwest (Illustration 1) and moves into the constellation, Taurus on February 23 and ends the month 3 degrees southwest of the blue stars of the Pleiades (Illustration 2).

Now, let’s grab our winter coats, hat, gloves, warm socks and boots and enjoy our hike. As we head out around 7:30, make sure to have on hand your Starry Trail Map and binoculars. Orion is only one of the phenomenal celestial treats that we will see on our hike. 

Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Night Sky Checklist

January 2021
Happy New Year!!  Our 10th Anniversary
After enjoying our two gas giants in the evening sky since July, it is time to say farewell until late summer. Jupiter and Saturn start the month low in the southwestern sky, right after sunset. By mid-month, they drop from view. Mercury returns to the evening sky and creates a spectacular trio with Jupiter and Saturn, in the southwest, on January 10th, right after sunset (Illustration 1). Mars shines brightly, high in the south-southwestern sky. On January 21st, Mars passes 1.7 degree north of Uranus (Illustration 2).

For our hike, we will head out one hour after sunset. This will be at 6:00 pm at the beginning of January and 6:30 pm by months end. Grab your winter coat, hat, gloves, warm socks and boots. Do you have your Starry Trail map and binoculars? Let’s enjoy!

Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Night Sky Checklist

December 2020
Our two gas giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn, have put on a spectacular show in our evening sky since July. Now it is time for the Grand Finale! Jupiter and Saturn continue to get closer and will be one-tenth of a degree apart on the evening of December 21st (Illustration 1). This will be their closest encounter since 1623!! Mars continues to blaze a bright red, orange, high in the southern sky (Illustration 2).

Also, on December 21st, we celebrate the Winter Solstice, or the first day of winter, here in the Northern Hemisphere. Although this begins the winter season, when we step out on a clear night, the brightest stars of the year put on a dazzling show for us! Other highlights include the return of our magnificent Orion, the Hunter and the Geminid Meteor Shower.

Around 7:00 pm we will begin our hike. We need to put on our winter coats, hats, gloves, and boots. Grab your Starry Trail map and binoculars and let’s enjoy the brightest stars of the year and fabulous star hopping!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Night Sky Checklist

November 2020
It will be another superb month for planet viewing! Jupiter and Saturn continue to put on a splendid show in the southwest and continue to grow closer (Illustration 1). The countdown continues for the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, which happens on December 21.

The stunning pair will be less than a degree apart. At the beginning of November the duo will set just before midnight, but at 9:30 pm, at month’s end. Blazing Mars remains near its peak, rising in the east at sunset, but is starting to move away from Earth (Illustration 2). Mars will become dimmer as we head through November.

Once we have changed back our clocks to Eastern Standard Time, it will be great to go outside and enjoy an evening of stargazing right after dinner!  The evenings are getting colder, so we will need to put on our winter coats, gloves, hats and maybe boots.

We will begin our hike at 7:00 pm. Grab your Starry Trail map and binoculars and let’s go!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Night Sky Checklist

October 2020
Mars reaches its peak this month and even outshines Jupiter! On October 6, it will be closest to Earth, at 38.57 million miles. Mars reaches opposition on October 13, when it will be opposite the Sun and rise at sunset and be visible until sunrise. There is no doubt when you face east, after sundown, Mars’ brilliance will catch your eye (Illustration 1)!

Our two gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn continue to put on a show in the southwestern sky. We have two full moons for October, so the second one is called a Blue Moon and it happens on the night of Halloween!

Our hike begins around 8:00. Grab your Starry Trail map, jacket, binoculars and for those cold nights, your gloves. Take a deep breath. Do you smell the scent of autumn in the air?

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Night Sky Checklist

September 2020
As we head through late summer into early autumn , our two largest planets are easy to spot in the southern sky, after sunset. Jupiter is brilliant and will certainly catch your eye.

Saturn is to the left of Jupiter, not as bright (Illustration 1) Mars continues to brighten, rising two hours after sunset on September 1 st and one hour after on September 30th Illustration 2) By month end, Mars will be slightly brighter than Jupiter. Also, we celebrate the first day of autumn on September 22.

At this time of year it is great to head outside and spend a few minutes enjoying the late summer sounds! We can still enjoy some warm nights, but autumn is just a round the corner. Are you ready to enjoy our starry hike?

Grab your Starry Trail map, bug spray, binoculars, jacket and chair or blanket. Our hike begins around 8:30pm.
* Follow on Facebook and get weekly updates of the night sky also any special events! Plus there are printable kids activity sheets & more!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Night Sky Checklist

August 2020
August is an ideal month for stargazing and has always been be my favorite! This August will certainly be a phenomenal month for planet watching and stargazing!

Here is what is in store for us: two visible planets after sunset, the Perseid Meteor Shower and the Summer Milky Way!!  Not to mention the spectacular sounds of summer!! Take a minute to listen!

Now, let’s check out the two visible planets that will visit our evening sky throughout August. About 30 minutes after sunset, face west (direction of the sunset colors). Turn left, or south, and bright Jupiter will greet you.

As you continue to the left, the dimmer golden colored object is Saturn (Illustration 1). By mid-August, Mars will rise in the east around 11:30 pm and Venus joins Mars, rising at 3:30 am (Illustration 2).

It’s time to head out for our hike.  Grab your Starry Trail map, bug spray, binoculars, light jacket and lawn chair or blanket.  Our hike begins around 9:30pm in the western sky.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Night Sky Checklist

July 2020
Our two gas giant planets return to our evening sky around mid-month! Jupiter will be at opposition on July 14th and Saturn will be at opposition on July 20th.

They will rise, in the southeast, at sunset and will be present until dawn (Illustration 1).  The two inner planets, Venus and Mercury, put on a show, around mid-month, in the predawn sky (Illustration 2).

Also, with the opening of Milky Way season, this happens to be the best time of year to lay out on a warm summer night, with binoculars, and leisurely scan through the night sky! The summer Milky Way offers great views of many celestial delights!

We have so much to see tonight, are you ready?! Once again, our hike will begin around 10:00pm. Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map, bug spray, light jacket, binoculars and lawn chair or blanket. We will begin our hike by facing west or the fading colors of the sunset.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

I’m VERY excited to announce my children’s books!
Stella’s Starry Adventures!
Join Stella, as she takes you on an adventure through the night sky!
Kids will love learning about the constellations and more with Stella as their guide!

Stellas’ books are available on Amazon – In Print and Kindle versions.

June 2020
Mercury reaches its highest point in the west-northwest sky on June 4 and is a great target the first two weeks of June (Illustration 1).

Jupiter, Saturn and Mars continue their predawn show (Illustration 2). Brilliant Jupiter rises three hours after sunset at the beginning of June and less than an hour at month’s end. Saturn will be 5 degrees east of Jupiter through most of June.

Also, it is time to celebrate the first day of summer on June 20th!

With the long days of summer, our Starry hike will not start until 10:00pm. So, grab your Starry Trail Map, binoculars, bug spray and a light jacket. Take a few minutes to enjoy firefly’s twinkling! Our hike begins in the west or where you see the beautiful sunset colors.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

May 2020
If you want to see all five visible planets, this is the month to get out and enjoy! Plus, warmer weather and clearer skies are here! Venus continues to delight in the western sky and sets 3 1/2 hours after sunset, in early May. Mercury returns to the evening sky on May 11^th and pairs up with Venus, on May 21^st, when the duo will be 1 degree apart, 30 minutes after sunset (Illustration 1).

By months end, Venus departs, and Mercury climbs higher, making it easier to spot. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars continue to shine in the predawn sky (Illustration 2). Jupiter rises at 2 am on May 1 and at midnight on May 31. Saturn rises twenty minutes later and remains 5 degrees away from Jupiter the entire month. Mars continues to brighten.

For our hike, we will begin around 9:30pm. Let’s grab our jacket, Starry Trail Map and binoculars. We can still enjoy a few more hikes without mosquitoes! We will start by facing west. Brilliant Venus continues to dazzle through most of May.

April 2020
As the sun sets on a clear April evening, the first object you will see in the western sky, is the dazzling planet Venus!! Venus reaches greatest brilliancy on April 27^th and sets four hours after sunset! During the first few days of April, Venus passes thru the beautiful Pleiades star cluster (Illustration 1). On April 26^th, Venus makes a lovely pairing with the Crescent Moon. Our spectacular planet show continues in the predawn sky with Mars, Saturn and Jupiter in the southeast (Illustration 2).

Time to get out and enjoy a clear spring night! Our sun sets later now, so our hike will begin around 9:00 pm. You may still need to grab your jacket, hat and gloves. Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map and binoculars. Take a minute to listen to the sounds of spring peepers filling the air!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

March 2020
Good-bye winter, hello spring! Looking forward to celebrating the first day of Spring on March 19^th!     It will be wonderful to see the early spring flowers and our familiar spring constellations! Our nights will be getting warmer and the sounds of spring peepers will begin to fill the air! Venus continues to blaze brightly in the western sky after sunset.

By March 24^th, Venus sets four hours after sunset! It pairs up with the Crescent Moon on the 26^th & 27^th and ends the month 3 degrees from the Pleiades, making the pair a lovely binocular target (Illustration 1). Our spectacular planet show continues in the morning sky before sunrise. The predawn planet show featuring Jupiter, Saturn and Mars grows more striking with a gathering of the Moon on March 18^th (Illustration 2). The extraordinary show continues with the conjunction of Mars and Jupiter on March 20^{th (}Illustration 3) and the conjunction of Mars and Saturn on March 31^st. March 31^st also features the most compact threesome of our three outer planets (Illustration 4).

Remember that Daylight Savings Time starts on March 8th, so the sun sets later. Our hike will begin at 8:30 pm bundle up, hats, gloves, coats and grab your Starry Trail Map and binoculars. We will still able to see our dazzling stars of winter too! Our magnificent, Orion, the Hunter will be our guide for the hike.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

February 2020
Venus continues to dazzle in the southwestern sky after sunset!

As we head through February, Venus will brighten and climb higher. By month’s end, Venus will be a shining gem until 9:30 pm. Mercury joins Venus and will put on its best show of 2020, on the night of February 10 (Illustration 1).

Mars, Jupiter and Saturn make a stunning group in the predawn sky (Illustration 2).

Now, let’s grab our winter coats, hat, gloves, warm socks and boots and enjoy our hike. As we head out around 7:30, make sure to have on hand your Starry Trail Map and binoculars.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

January 2020
Happy New Year!! Venus continues to dazzle in the southwestern sky after sunset as we open the new year. Venus will climb higher through the month and pair up with Neptune, less than a degree apart, on January 27. The two planets will be closer than they have been in 36 years.

On January 28, the Crescent Moon will pass south of Venus and Neptune (Illustration 1). Mars gradually brightens, in the predawn sky, as we advance through January. On January 16, Mars passes 5 degre es north of the bright red, orange star, Antares (Illustration 2).

For our hike, we will head out one hour after sunset. This will be at 6:00 pm at the beginning of January and 6:30 pm by months end. Grab your winter coat, hat, gloves, warm socks and boots. Do you have your Starry Trail map and binoculars? Let’s enjoy!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

• Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and get weekly updates of the sky!

December 2019
The highlight of the month is the spectacular lineup, in the southwestern sky, of Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, one hour after sunset, the first week of December (Illustration 1). Then we say farewell to Jupiter as it disappears during the second week. Dazzling Venus takes center stage and climbs higher while Saturn sinks lower.

Venus and Saturn will be within 5 degrees apart, Dec. 7-14 and 2 degrees apart on Dec.  10 (Illustration 2). Venus and the Crescent Moon make a beautiful pair on Dec. 28. Mars teams up with the Crescent Moon on December 22 and 23, in the predawn sky.

On December 21st, we celebrate the Winter Solstice, or the first day of winter, here in the Northern Hemisphere. Although this begins the winter season, when we step out on a clear night, the brightest stars of the year put on a dazzling show for us! Other highlights include the return of our magnificent Orion, the Hunter and the Geminid Meteor Shower.

Around 7:00 pm we will begin our hike. We need to put on our winter coats, hats, gloves, and boots. Grab your Starry Trail map and binoculars and let’s enjoy the brightest stars of the year and fabulous star hopping!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

November 2019
We have a spectacular daytime celestial event coming up on Monday, November 11th. Weather permitting and using a SAFE solar filter, you can watch the planet Mercury cross the solar disk in daylight!  This event is called the Transit of Mercury and begins at 7:35 am and ends at 1:04 pm. The next Transit of Mercury will be May 7, 2049.

Our dazzling planet Venus returns to our evening sky. At the beginning of the month, Venus will be 5 degrees above the horizon, but by month’s end it will double that position from the horizon. Venus will join Jupiter, to put on a fantastic show, all month long, in the southwestern sky after sunset. On November 23rd & 24th, Venus and Jupiter will be less than 2 degrees apart (Illustration 1)! There will be a spectacular grouping with the Crescent Moon on November 28th, 30 minutes after sunset (Illustration 2)!

We will begin our hike at 7:00 pm. Grab your Starry Trail map and binoculars and let’s go! Face west, or where the sun set, and you will see a bright star, Vega. Now trek left to another bright star which is Altair. Now trace up and to the right to Deneb. If you connect these three stars you have made the Summer Triangle. Great!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

October 2019
Take a deep breath. Do you smell the scent of autumn in the air? Our nights are getting chillier and the sun sets much earlier. But on the warmer fall nights, we may still hear the last of the crickets!

Jupiter & Saturn continue to dazzle us after sunset, in the southwestern sky. Jupiter’s brilliance will catch your eye. Saturn is up to the left of Jupiter & dimmer (Illustration 1).

The Moon will pair with Jupiter on October 3rd and Saturn on October 5th. Our inner planets, Venus and Mercury will not be as easy to spot as the two large gas giants. You will need to look early in twilight, in the west-southwestern sky, to catch Venus and Mercury, with the aid of binoculars. Best night to view will be October 29th when the Crescent Moon is just above the two inner planets. Venus will be the brighter of the two objects (Illustration 2).

Our hike begins around 8:00. Grab your Starry Trail map, jacket, binoculars and for those cold nights, your gloves. Start by facing west and the beautiful colors of the sunset. Look slightly left, brilliant Jupiter will catch your eye! Up and to the left of Jupiter, you will see Saturn.  Saturn certainly is a lovely object in a telescope!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

September 2019
As we head through late summer into early autumn , our two largest planets are easy to spot in the southern sky, after sunset. Jupiter is brilliant and will certainly catch your eye. Saturn is to the left of Jupiter, not as bright (Illustration 1).

Also, w e celebrate the first day of autumn on September 23. At this time of year it is great to head outside and spend a few minutes enjoying the late summer sounds!
We can still enjoy some warm nights, but autumn is just around the corner.

Are you ready to enjoy our starry hike?

Grab your Starry Trail map, bug spray, binoculars, jacket and chair or blanket.
Our hike begins around 8:30pm. To start, we will face west or the spectacular colors of the sunset.

• Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and get weekly updates of the sky!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

August 2019
August has to be my favorite stargazing month! This August will certainly be a phenomenal month for planet watching and stargazing! Here is what is in store for us: two visible planets after sunset, the Perseid Meteor Shower and the Summer Milky Way!!  Not to mention the spectacular sounds of summer!! Take a minute to listen!

Now, let’s check out the two visible planets that will visit our evening sky throughout August. About 30 minutes after sunset, face west (direction of the sunset colors). Turn left, or south, and bright Jupiter will greet you. As you continue to the left, the dimmer golden colored object is Saturn (Illustration 1).

It’s time to head out for our hike. Grab your Starry Trail map, bug spray, binoculars, light jacket and lawn chair or blanket.  Our hike begins around 9:30pm in the western sky.

Starry Trails – Starry Map Milky Way – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

July 2019
This month we celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the first human to set foot on another world!! On July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong stepped down on the Moon’s surface and spoke the famous words: That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!

Along with our celebration of the Apollo missions, we have a spectacular month for stargazing and planet watching! Saturn returns to our evening sky, joining brilliant Jupiter in the south-southeastern sky (Illustration 1). If you have a backyard telescope, this is a great time to enjoy.

Also, with the opening of Milky Way season, this happens to be the best time of year to lay out on a warm summer night, with binoculars, and leisurely scan through the night sky! The summer Milky Way offers great views of many celestial delights!  We have so much to see tonight, are you ready?!

Once again, our hike will begin around 10:00 pm. Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map, bug spray, light jacket and lawn chair or blanket.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

June 2019
Stella’s Starry Adventures!

Winter Fun & Spring Fun! – are NOW available on Amazon!!

Join Stella , the star loving dog, as she takes an adventure through the night sky of spring. Your kids will love learning the spring constellations with Stella as their guide!

It’s time to celebrate the first day of summer on June 21^st and the return of the king of the planets, Jupiter! Jupiter reaches opposition on June 10^th and dazzles all night long! Jupiter is brilliant in southeastern sky (Illustration 1)! But shortly after sunset, you want to check out Mars and Mercury low in the western sky (Illustration 2).  On the nights of June 17 & 18^th, Mercury and Mars will be less than a degree apart!

With the long days of summer, our Starry hike will not start until 10:00pm. So, grab your Starry Trail Map, binoculars, bug spray and a light jacket. Take a few minutes to enjoy firefly’s twinkling!  Our hike begins in the west or where you see the beautiful sunset colors.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

May 2019
Spring always brings renewed excitement for stargazers! Warmer weather and clearer skies are here! This month we will enjoy two special Lunar events. On the night of May 10, between 10 pm and 11 pm, the Crescent Moon passes through the middle of the Beehive star cluster (Illustraion1)!

We will have a Blue Moon on May 18^th! The true explanation of a Blue Moon is when we have four Full Moons in one season, the third is called a Blue Moon.  We will continue to see Mars in the west after sunset (Illustration 2). Jupiter and Saturn shine in the southern predawn sky (Illustration 3).

For our hike, we will begin around 9:30pm. Let’s grab our jacket, Starry Trail Map and binoculars. We can still enjoy a few more hikes without mosquitoes! We will start by facing west.

• Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and get weekly updates of the sky!
• Free Star Parties – Walker Rd Park – Avon Lake

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

April 2019

I’m very excited to announce my first children’s book,

Although I’m looking forward to warmer spring nights and the sounds of spring peepers filling the air, I will miss stepping out on a clear night and seeing our magnificent Orion, the Hunter!  Orion sets earlier each night as we go through the month. Meanwhile, Mars and the Pleiades make a lovely pair in the west after sunset the first week of April (Illustration 1).

Our spectacular planet show continues in the predawn sky with Venus low in the southeast and Jupiter and Saturn in the south (Illustration 2).

Time to get out and enjoy a clear spring night! Our sun sets later now, so our hike will begin around 9:00 pm. You may still need to grab your jacket, hat and gloves.

Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map and binoculars. Take a minute to listen to the sounds of spring peepers filling the air!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

March 2019
Looking forward to celebrating the first day of Spring on March 20th! It will be wonderful to see the early spring flowers and our familiar spring constellations! Our nights will be getting warmer and the sounds of spring peepers will begin to fill the air! Our spectacular planet show continues in the morning sky before sunrise. At the start of March, Venus, Saturn & Jupiter will span 38 degrees across the southeast dawn
(Illustration 1).

By the end of the month they span 71 degrees (Illustration 2).
Remember that Daylight Savings Time starts on March 10th, so the sun sets later.

Our hike will begin at 8:30pm, bundle up, hats, gloves, and coats and grab your Starry Trail Map and binoculars. We will still able to see our dazzling stars of winter too!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

February 2019
We will continue to enjoy our dazzling winter stars on those clear February evenings, but the brightest planets sparkle in the predawn sky! Venus, Jupiter and Saturn make a lovely grouping in the east before sunrise. On the morning of February 18^th, Venus and Saturn will be a degree apart (Illustration1)!

The Crescent Moon joins the three planets show on February 27 & 28 (Illustration 2). Mercury makes a guest appearance in the evening sky around mid-month and will climb highest in the west on February 26 (Illustration 3).

Now, let’s grab our winter coats, hat, gloves, warm socks and boots and enjoy our hike. As we head out around 7:30, make sure to have on hand your Starry Trail Map and binoculars.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

January 2019
Happy New Year!! The first dawn of the New Year will feature the lovely pairing of dazzling Venus and the Crescent Moon! Over the next three mornings the Crescent Moon will slide past Venus and our second brightest planet, Jupiter (Illustration 1).

This awesome show, Venus, the Crescent Moon and Jupiter, will happen again starting on January 30 (Illustration 2). Venus and the Crescent Moon will make a close pairing on January 31. The big show of January will be a Total Lunar Eclipse the night of 20/21!! See highlight section for Eclipse timeline.

For our hike, we will head out one hour after sunset. This will be at 6:00pm at the beginning of January and 6:30pm by months end. Grab your winter coat, hat, gloves, warm socks and boots. Do you have your Starry Trail map and binoculars? Let’s enjoy!

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and get weekly updates of the sky!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

December 2018
As we open the month of December, Venus will put on a spectacular show in the predawn eastern sky, shining as bright as it ever gets!! On December 3^rd, Venus and the Crescent Moon will make a lovely pair (Illustration 1)!

Adding to an exciting month, is the visit of Comet 46P/Wirtanen, to the inner Solar System. There is a possibility that Comet Wirtanen will be viewable, to the unaided eye, around December 16^th. It will be located by the Pleiades.  Please see the Comet position chart in Illustration 2.   On December 21^st, we celebrate the Winter Solstice.

Around 7:00 pm we will begin our hike. We need to put on our winter coats, hats, gloves, and boots. Grab your Starry Trail map and binoculars.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

November 2018
As we head into the month of November, the lovely planet Saturn will continue to sink lower in the southwestern sky each night. But Mars continues to dazzle in the south, southwestern sky (Illustration 1)! Also, we will enjoy the Leonid Meteor Shower which peaks on November 17^th! However, the First Quarter Moon will fade the fainter meteors.

Once we have changed back our clocks to Eastern Standard Time, it will be great to go outside and enjoy an evening of stargazing right after dinner! The evenings are getting colder, so we will need to put on our winter coats, gloves, hats and maybe boots.

We will begin our hike at 7:00 pm. Grab your Starry Trail map & binoculars and let’s go!

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Starry Trails TV

October 2018
Take a deep breath. Do you smell the scent of autumn in the air? Our nights are getting chillier and the sun sets much earlier. But on the warmer fall nights, we may still hear the last of the crickets! Our spectacular planet line up spans from southwest to south, starting with Jupiter to Saturn to Mars (Illustration 1)!! Mercury makes a guest appearance after sunset at the end of October. Mercury will be below Jupiter in the west after sunset. Best viewing will be around October 29th.

Our hike begins around 8:00. Grab your Starry Trail map, jacket, binoculars and for those cold nights, your gloves. Start by facing west and the beautiful colors of the sunset.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Starry Trails TV

September 2018
The reign of our dazzling planet, Venus, will come to an end by late September, when it will set 45 minutes after the Sun. Venus has been spectacular over the last few months! Also, this month, Jupiter will continue to get closer to Venus and the two planets will put on a great show with the Crescent Moon on September 13th (Illustration1)!

Venus & Jupiter will join Saturn & Mars, once again, for a phenomenal four planet extravaganza (Illustration 2)!! It is great to head outside, this time of year and spend a few minutes enjoying the late summer sounds! We can still enjoy some warm nights, but autumn is just around the corner.

Are you ready to enjoy our starry hike? Grab your Starry Trail map, bug spray, binoculars, jacket and chair or blanket. Our hike begins around 8:45 pm.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Starry Trails TV

August 2018
If you have never been stargazing, August is the best month to head outside and look up!! This August will certainly be a phenomenal month for planet watching and stargazing! Here is what is in store for us: the four visible planets after sunset, the Perseid Meteor Shower and the Summer Milky Way!! Not to mention the spectacular sounds of summer!!

Take a minute to listen! Now, let’s check out the four visible planets that will visit our evening sky throughout August. About 30 minutes after sunset find a spot with a great western view. Dazzling Venus will stand out! Venus will pair up with the Crescent Moon on August 14th for a lovely site (Illustration 1). Turn left, or south, and bright Jupiter will greet you. As you continue to the left, the golden colored object is Saturn. Without a doubt as you scan further left, you will see Mars, the spectacular red, orange object (Illustration 2)!! I hope you get a chance to see all four planets!

Let’s head out for our hike. Grab your Starry Trail map, bug spray, binoculars, light jacket and lawn chair or blanket. Our hike begins around 9:30pm in the western sky or where you see the beautiful sunset colors.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Starry Trails TV

July 2018
Coming up towards the end of July, we will have the best views of Mars in fifteen years!! Mars reaches opposition on July 27th and will be closest to Earth on July 31st. It will not be this close again until 2035. Telescope views should offer some of Mars’ surface features. Mars will join Saturn & Jupiter in the southern sky. Jupiter will be the brightest, in the southwest and Mars will be almost as bright, in the southeast. Saturn will be the golden colored object in the middle (Illustration 1).

Also, with the opening of Milky Way season, this happens to be the best time of year to lay out on a warm summer night, with binoculars, and leisurely scan through the night sky! The summer Milky Way offers great views of many celestial delights! We have so much to see tonight, are you ready?! Once again our hike will begin around 10:00pm. Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map, bug spray, light jacket and lawn chair or blanket.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Starry Trails TV

June 2018
Coming up towards the end of July, we will have the best views of Mars in fifteen years!! Mars reaches opposition on July 27th and will be closest to Earth on July 31st. It will not be this close again until 2035. Telescope views should offer some of Mars’ surface features.

Also, with the opening of Milky Way season, this happens to be the best time of year to lay out on a warm summer night, with binoculars, and leisurely scan through the night sky! The summer Milky Way offers great views of many celestial delights! We have so much to see tonight, are you ready?! Once again our hike will begin around 10:00pm. Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map, bug spray, light jacket and lawn chair or blanket.

Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Starry Trails TV

May 2018
Spring has finally sprung, and our four brightest planets are blooming!! Whether you are a night owl or early bird, when you look up, you should spot a planet or two! For the next four months, our brightest planets will be at their best!

May belongs to the king of the planets, Jupiter. Jupiter rises in the southeast as the Sun sets, so it rules the night sky from dusk to dawn! (Illustration 1) Venus continues to shine brilliantly in the west, early evening sky. Saturn and Mars rise after midnight (Illustration 2).

For our hike, we will begin around 9:30pm. Let’s grab our jacket, Starry Trail Map and binoculars.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Starry Trails TV

April 2018
As the sun sets on a clear April evening, the first object you will see is the dazzling planet, Venus, in the western sky!! The best part is, Venus will be visiting until October! A couple special Venus dates to remember: The Crescent Moon, Venus and the Pleiades put on a show on April 17th & 18th (Illustration1). On April 28th, Venus and the Pleiades will make a lovely pair one hour after sunset (Illustration 2).

Then by month’s end, the second brightest planet, Jupiter returns to the evening sky!! The morning planet show features Saturn and Mars close together in the southern sky before sunrise (Illustration 3).

Time to get out and enjoy a clear spring night! Our sun sets later now, so our hike will begin around 9:00 pm. You may still need to grab your jacket, hat and gloves. Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map and binoculars.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Starry Trails TV

March 2018
Wow! We have another Blue Moon this month! There will be a Full Moon on March 1st and the Blue Moon will be on March 31st. By the way, the real definition of a Blue Moon is when we have four Full Moons in one season. The third Full Moon is considered the Blue Moon.

Other happenings for March: We will celebrate the first day of Spring on March 20th! Our dazzling planet, Venus, returns to the evening sky after sunset. Mercury will join the evening show and reach its highest altitude on March 15th (Illustration 1). Then on March 28th, Venus and Uranus will be less than a degree apart (Illustration 2).

It may be hard to locate Uranus in the glow of the sun. In the morning sky, we still have the awesome lineup of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars (illustration3). By month’s end, Saturn and Mars will continue to get closer together (Illustration 4). Mars also continues to get closer to Earth. At the beginning of March, Mars will be 130 million miles and 103 million miles by months end.

Remember that Daylight Savings Time starts on March 11th, so the sun sets later. Our hike will begin at 8:30pm, bundle up, hats, gloves, and coats and grab your Starry Trail Map and binoculars.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Starry Trails TV

February 2018
Here is something that doesn’t happen very often…a month without a Full Moon! February 2018 will not have a Full Moon. It is right in between two months of two Full Moons, January & March. Of course, the second Full Moon in a month is called a Blue Moon. Also, around mid-month, we will see the return of the dazzling planet Venus low in the west, southwestern sky after sunset. Venus will climb higher each night and will remain an evening star until October!

The big planet show continues in the early morning sky before sunrise. Look for brilliant Jupiter joined by Mars and Saturn in the south, southeast (Illustration 1). Mars will continue to get closer to Earth in it’s orbit. Mars is 143 million miles away but will only be 36 million miles in July!

Now, let’s grab our winter coats, hat, gloves, warm socks and boots and enjoy our hike. As we head out around 7:30, make sure to have on hand your Starry Trail Map and binoculars.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio – Starry Trails TV

January 2018
Expect to be Moonstruck as we celebrate New Year’s Day! We will see the Full Super Moon of 2018 on the first day of our new year! What’s even more awesome, when we close out January, we will have another Super Full Moon! The second Full Moon in a month, by one definition is called the “Blue Moon”. This rare event will happen again in March! But wait…that’s not all! We will also have a Partial Lunar Eclipse on that day, which is January 31st!

The Lunar Eclipse will occur as the Moon is getting ready to set, so be sure to have an unobstructed view of the west-northwest sky. The partial Eclipse begins at 6:48 AM (Illustration1). Maximum Eclipse will be 7:35 AM (illustration 2), followed by Moonset at 7:38 AM.

For our hike, we will head out one hour after sunset. This will be at 6:00pm at the beginning of January and 6:30pm by months end. Grab your winter coat, hat, gloves, warm socks and boots. Do you have your Starry Trail map and binoculars? Let’s enjoy!
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

December 2017
On December 21st, we celebrate the Winter Solstice, or the first day of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere. Although this begins the winter season, when we step out on a clear night, the brightest stars of the year put on a dazzling show for us! Other highlights include the return of our magnificent Orion, the Hunter, the Geminid Meteor Shower, a splendid planet show in the early morning sky before sunrise and a Super Full Moon as we ring in the New Year!

As we start the month of December, Jupiter and Mars will be 16 degrees apart (Illustration 1). By the end of the month the two planets will be just 3 degrees apart (Illustration 2)!

Around 7:00 pm we will begin our hike. We need to put on our winter coats, hats, gloves, and boots. Grab your Starry Trail map and binoculars and let’s enjoy the brightest stars of the year and fabulous star hopping!
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

November 2017
Once we have changed back our clocks to Eastern Standard Time, it will be great to go outside and enjoy an evening of stargazing right after dinner! The evenings are getting colder, so we will need to put on our winter coats, gloves, hats and maybe boots.

We will begin our hike at 7:00 pm. Grab your Starry Trail map and binoculars and let’s go!
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

October 2017
As we head into October, don’t forget to take in the wonderful smells of autumn and the sounds of crickets on those last warm evenings of the year! Lovely planet Saturn continues to shine in the southwest 30 minutes after sunset (Illustration1). During mid-month Saturn’s rings are tilted at maximum openness! We will not see this tilt again until 2032.

Venus and Mars continue to put on a show in the eastern sky before sunrise. On the morning of October 5 Venus and Mars are less then 1 degree apart (Illustrations 2)!

Our hike begins around 7:45. Grab your Starry Trail map, jacket, binoculars and for those cold nights, your gloves. Start by facing west and the beautiful colors of the sunset.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

September 2017
I hope you all had a chance to see the phenomenal Solar Eclipse!! Save the date for April 8th, 2024! It will be our turn for a Total Solar Eclipse!! In the meantime, we have so many spectacular celestial events to enjoy. This month we will say farewell to the king of the planets, Jupiter. We can still view Jupiter low in the west after sunset (Illustration 1). Saturn can be seen in the south, southwest (Illustration2).

If you are an early morning riser, the planets Venus, Mercury & Mars, along with the star, Regulus, put on quite a show in the morning. September 18th will be the best morning to view, before sunrise (Illustration3).

At this time of year, it is great to head outside and spend a few minutes enjoying the late summer sounds! We can still enjoy some warm nights, but autumn is just around the corner. Are you ready to enjoy our starry hike? Grab your Starry Trail map, bug spray, binoculars, jacket and chair or blanket.

Our hike begins around 8:30pm. To start, we will face west or the spectacular colors of the sunset. Brilliant Jupiter will continue to sink lower each night. Farewell until next year.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

August 2017
Are you ready for the grand event: The Solar Eclipse on August 21st from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm!! We are not in the path of totality, but we will experience about 85% shadowing of the Sun (occurs around 2:20 pm)!THE TOP PRIORITY IS HAVING A PLAN FOR SAFELY VIEWING THE ECLIPSE. NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN WITH YOUR EYES, BINOCULARS OR A TELESCOPE (Unless you have proper filters)!! If you are planning to view the eclipse from our area, visit https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/ for safe solar viewing techniques. Join me at Bleser Park in Avon Lake from 1-4PM!

August has always been my favorite stargazing month! This August will certainly be a blockbuster month for stargazing too! Here is what is in store for us: two fantastic planets after sunset, the Perseid Meteor Shower and the Summer Milky Way!!

Now, let’s head out for our hike. Grab your Starry Trail map, bug spray, binoculars, light jacket and lawn chair or blanket. Our hike begins around 9:30pm in the southwest sky or slightly left of the beautiful sunset colors.
Starry Trails – Starry Map Milky Way – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

July 2017
The excitement continues to build for the Solar Eclipse on August 21st from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm!! We are not in the path of totality, but we will experience about 85% shadowing of the Sun (occurs around 2:20 pm)! THE TOP PRIORITY IS HAVING A PLAN FOR SAFELY VIEWING THE ECLIPSE. NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN WITH YOUR EYES, BINOCULARS OR A TELESCOPE (Unless you have proper filters)!! If you are planning to view the eclipse from our area, visit https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety for safe solar viewing techniques.

In the meantime, we have a spectacular month for stargazing and planet watching! If you have a backyard telescope, this is a great time to enjoy. We have two fantastic planets in the evening sky. Jupiter continues to blaze in the southwest (Illustration 1) and Saturn shines bright in the south (Illustration 2)

We have so much to see tonight, are you ready?! Once again, our hike will begin around 10:00pm. Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map, bug spray, light jacket and lawn chair or blanket.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

June 2017
The beautiful ringed planet, Saturn, will be the highlight of the month of June. Saturn reaches its peak on June 15 and the rings are at their biggest tilt since 2003, making structure easier to see than normal! Look in the southeast around 11 pm (Illustration 1). The king of the planets, Jupiter continues to shine brilliantly in the south after sunset (Illustration 2). Also, it’s time to celebrate the first day of Summer on June 21st and the Solar Eclipse is two months away!!

With the long days of summer, our Starry hike will not start until 10:00pm. So grab your Starry Trail Map, binoculars, bug spray and a light jacket. Our hike begins in the west or where you see the beautiful sunset colors. You will see the bright star, Regulus, which is part of the constellation Leo, the Lion.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

May 2017
Whether you are a night owl or early bird, you will be able to enjoy one of the two brightest planets! The king of the planets, Jupiter shines brilliantly in the south after sunset and Venus dazzles in the east before sunrise. By the way… 3 months until the Solar Eclipse!

For our hike, we will begin around 9:30pm. Let’s grab our jacket, Starry Trail Map and binoculars. We can still enjoy a few more hikes without mosquitoes! We will start by facing west. The two stars that look almost the same are Gemini, the Twins. The bright red-orange star to the right of Gemini is Capella. To the left of Gemini is the star Procyon (Illustration 1).
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

April 2017
As we say farewell to our most magnificent picture in the night sky, Orion, the Hunter, we say hello to the king of the planets, Jupiter!! Jupiter will rule our April skies. On the night of April 7th, Jupiter will be closest to Earth and shining it’s brightest! This will be a fantastic month to get out your telescope and view Jupiter! While you are enjoying Jupiter, take a minute to listen to the sounds of spring peepers filling the air! Our countdown to the Solar Eclipse is now about four months!

Time to get out and enjoy a clear spring night! Our sun sets later now, so our hike will begin around 9:00 pm. You may still need to grab your jacket, hat and gloves. Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map and binoculars.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

March 2017
Spring has sprung! It is great to see the early spring flowers and our familiar spring constellations! Our nights are getting warmer and the sounds of spring peepers are beginning to fill the air! We only have a few more weeks to enjoy dazzling Venus. Venus sets about three hours after sunset at the beginning of the month but quickly drops from the evening sky by mid-month (Illustrations 1 & 2). Also, we are just around five months until the Solar Eclipse!

Remember that Daylight Savings Time starts on March 12th, so the sun sets later. Our hike will begin at 8:30pm, bundle up, hats, gloves, and coats and grab your Starry Trail Map and binoculars.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

February 2017
As the sun sets on a clear mid-winter evening, a dazzling gem will blaze in the southwestern sky, the planet Venus! Venus’ greatest brilliancy will occur on February 17^th! You will have plenty of time to see this gem because it does not set until 4 hours after sunset. Mars continues to pair with Venus, but you will find it to be much dimmer. The pair start the month close but continue to drift apart as the month wears on. (Illustrations 1 & 2). The Moon will join in the show at the start of February and at the end. And of course, Orion, the Hunter will be magnificent!

Now, let’s grab our winter coats, hat, gloves, warm socks and boots and enjoy our hike. As we head out around 7:30, make sure to have on hand your Starry Trail Map and binoculars.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

January 2017
Step out on the next clear winter’s night and you will be greeted by the “star” of our January skies, dazzling planet Venus.  This will be the most spectacular show for Venus in five years! On the brightness scale, Venus is third behind the Sun and Moon. It is bright enough to spot before sunset. Give it a try on the next clear evening. January also hosts the brightest stars of the year and great star hopping! By the way, we are now less than eight months until the Solar Eclipse!

For our hike, we will head out one hour after sunset. This will be at 6:00pm at the beginning of January and 6:30pm by months end. Grab your winter coat, hat, gloves, warm socks and boots. Do you have your Starry Trail map and binoculars? Let’s enjoy!
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

December 2016
On December 31st, as we prepare to ring in the New Year, the planets Mars and Neptune will be the closest in 700 years!! Also on that same evening, Venus and Mars will be 12 degrees apart (Illustration 1)! Other highlights for December include, brilliant Venus in the southwest after sunset, the Winter Solstice, the dazzling stars of winter and the return of our magnificent Orion, the Hunter!

So, head out about 40 minutes after sunset and look west, and no mistaking, you will see Venus shining like a gem!

Around 7:00 pm we will begin our hike. We need to put on our winter coats, hats, gloves, and boots. Grab your Starry Trail map and binoculars and let’s enjoy the brightest stars of the year and fabulous star hopping! Face west (where the sun sets), and you will see the three bright stars which make up the Summer Triangle, Vega, Deneb and Altair.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

November 2016
Get ready for our Moon’s closest approach in 68 years at 6:24am on November 14th! The Super-Ultra HyperMoon will not be enormous but will be 7% bigger than average, but this has not happened since 1948! Other happenings this month include the Leonid Meteor shower peaking on November 17th, along with our continued planet show!!!!

When heading out 30 minutes after sunset, brilliant Venus and golden Saturn (to the right of Venus) can be seen in the southwestern sky. Mars will blaze red, orange to the left or direction south. On November 2nd, look for the beautiful gathering of Venus, Saturn and the Crescent Moon, 30 minutes after sunset (Illustration 1). We will see Saturn sinking lower as we head thru November. If you are an early morning riser, look for bright Jupiter in the east-southeast sky one hour before sunrise. (Illustration2).

Once we have changed back our clocks to Eastern Standard Time, it will be great to go outside and enjoy an evening of stargazing right after dinner! The evenings are getting colder, so we will need to put on our winter coats, gloves, hats and maybe boots. If you are lucky enough to have a good south, southwestern view, you will be able to see the red planet Mars after sunset.
Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

October 2016
As we enjoy another great planet watching month, don’t forget to take in the wonderful smells of autumn and the sounds of crickets on those last warm evenings of the year! You will want to head out 30 minutes after sunset. Face west or the beautiful sunset colors. The dazzling object you will see is the planet Venus! Now turn to the left and bright, red, orange Mars will catch your eyes.

Saturn is the golden colored object to the right of Mars. As we head thru October you will notice Saturn & Venus getting closer together. By the end of October, Venus and Saturn will be 3 degrees apart! (Illustrations 1 & 2).

Our hike begins around 7:45. Grab your Starry Trail map, jacket, binoculars and for those cold nights, your gloves. Let’s continue to face south, where we have located Mars and Saturn. Just below Saturn is the bright red-orange star, Antares, which is the heart of the constellation Scorpius.
Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

September 2016
Wow! Is it September already? Let’s get out and enjoy those last warm nights and the phenomenal sounds of late summer! Take a few minutes to listen…. It is time to say farewell to the planet Jupiter until next year. We certainly have had great views of Jupiter this year! But our planet show continues i the south, southwest after sunset. It will be great to watch as Mars continues to move farther to the left of Saturn and Antares. See Illustrations 1 & 2 for the positions of these three objects at the beginning of the month and the end.

Let’s head out for our hike. Remember, Autumn is just around the corner, so there may be a few cool nights. Are you ready to enjoy our starry hike? Grab your Starry Trail map, bug spray, binoculars, jacket and chair or blanket.
Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

August 2016
August has always been my favorite stargazing month! This August will certainly be a blockbuster month for stargazing! Here is what is in store for us: the five visible planets after sunset, the Perseid Meteor Shower and the Summer Milky Way!! Not to mention the spectacular sounds of summer!! Take a minute to listen! Now, let’s check out the five visible planets that will visit our evening sky throughout August.

Grab your Starry Trail map, bug spray, binoculars, light jacket and lawn chair or blanket. Our hike begins around 9:30pm in the southern sky or left of the beautiful sunset colors.
Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

July 2016
Whether you are viewing with your eyes, a pair of binoculars or a telescope, we are in for an out-of-this-world month of stargazing! Jupiter, Mars & Saturn continue to delight us in the evening sky and will be joined by Venus and Mercury towards the end of July! July 27th will be the night to check out all five visible planets!!

Also, with the opening of Milky Way season, this happens to be the best time of the year to layout on a warm summer night, with binoculars and leisurely scan through the night sky! The summer Milky Way offers great views of many celestial delights! We have so much to see tonight, are you ready?!

Once again our hike will begin around 10:00pm. Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map, bug spray, light jacket and lawn chair or blanket.
Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

June 2016
We will celebrate the first day of Summer on June 20th, with three spectacular planets dominating our evening skies!! Now is a great time to break out that backyard telescope or visit a free public star party courtesy of a local Astronomy Club! Jupiter, Mars and Saturn will show off their spender all month long! Jupiter can be found in the western sky, with the constellation Leo (Illustration 1). Mars and Saturn will shine in the southeast along with the constellation Scorpius (Illustration 2).

With the long days of summer, our Starry hike will not start until 10:00pm. So grab your Starry Trail Map, binoculars, bug spray and a light jacket. Our hike begins in the west or where you see the beautiful sunset colors.
Starry Trails – Starry Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

May 2016

Warmer weather, clearer skies and fantastic celestial sights are in store for the next few months! To start off, the month of May will bring us several rare events!! On May 9th, we will have the Transit of Mercury. The small planet Mercury will cross between Earth and the Sun and cast a shadow on the Sun, starting at 7:14am and ending at 2:41pm. The Transit of Mercury will not happen again til November 11th, 2019. When viewing the Sun, use proper eye protection. Next the planet Mars will be closest to Earth since 2005. Look for Mars in the Southeast about an hour after sunset on May 30th (Illustration 1).

Last, we will have a Blue Moon on May 21st. The true explanation of a Blue Moon is when we have four Full Moons in one season. The third Full Moon is called the Blue Moon!

For our hike, we will begin around 9:30pm. Let’s grab our jacket, Starry Trail Map and binoculars
Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

April 2016

It is great to step out on a warm April evening and hear the sound of spring peepers filling the air!! The Planet Mercury returns to our evening sky for a brief visit from April 8th thru April 25th. Mercury will be visible in the west, northwest sky about 40 minutes after sunset.

On the evening of April 8th, check out Mercury and the Crescent Moon, Saturn, Mars and the star Antares continue to put on a show in the predawn sky. On the morning of April 20th Mars and Saturn will be at their closest!! On April 25th, the Moon joins the trio. In the meantime, let’s get out and enjoy a  clear spring night!

Our sun sets later now, so our hike will begin around 9:00pm. You may still need to grab your jacket, hat and gloves. Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map and binoculars!
Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

March 2016

Spring is in the air! It is great to see the early spring flowers and our familiar spring constellations! Our nights are getting warmer and we may even hear the sound of spring peepers filling the night air by the end of the month! The morning planet show continues wit Venus, Saturn and Mars. Saturn and Mars will continue to move closer to each other through March and Venus will depart the morning sky by month’s end.

Remember that Daylight Savings Time starts on March 13th, so the sun sets later. Our hike will begin at 8:30pm, bundle up, hats, gloves, and coats and grab your Starry Trail Map and binoculars.
Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

February 2016

Whether you are out stargazing before sunrise or after sunset, the late winter sky will amaze you!! The Five planet extravaganza continues in the morning sky before sunrise (Illustration 1)! The beautiful panoramic lineup is Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter. If our skies are clear on February 6th, the Crescent Moon will form a lovely triangle with Venus 7 Mercury (Illustration 2)! Our evening skies offer fantastic celestial viewing which can be enjoyed in your own backyard.

Now, let’s grab our winter coats, hat, cloves, warm socks and boots and enjoy our hike. As we head out around 7:30, make sure to have o hand your Starry Trail Map and binoculars.
Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

January 2016

Whether you are out stargazing before sunrise or after sunset, the late winter sky will amaze you!! The five planet extravaganza continues in the morning sky before sunrise (Illustration 1)! The beautiful panoramic lineup is Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter. If our skies are clear on February 6th, the Crescent Moon will form a lovely triangle with Venus & Mercury (Illustration 2)! Our evening skies offer fantastic celestial viewing which can be enjoyed in your own backyard.

Now, let’s grab our winter coats, hat, gloves, warm socks and boots and enjoy our hike. As we head out around 7:30, make sure to have on hand your Starry Trail Map and binoculars.

Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

December 2015

Welcome Winter! Although our nights are long, cold and snowy, our bright winter stars look like sparkling jewels on a clear night! There is plenty to enjoy this month: our magnificent Orion, the Hunter is back, the Full Moon occurs on Christmas day, and our morning planet show
continues! On the morning of December 7th, get up early to see the splendid pairing of Venus and the Crescent Moon in the eastern sky before sunrise.

Another great thing about winter is the sun sets early. We can start our hike much earlier. We need to put on our winter coats, hats, gloves, and boots. Grab your Starry Trail map and binoculars and let’s enjoy! Around 7:00 pm we will begin our hike.

Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

November 2015

We still have a few weeks left to get outside, before sunrise, to view the spectacular planet show in the eastern sky! For the first week of November, Venus and Mars will pass very close! The Crescent Moon will join the show on November 7th! As we head through November, we will see Venus and Jupiter continue to drift apart.

One good thing about changing our clocks to Eastern Standard Time, is that we can go outside and enjoy an evening of stargazing right after dinner! The evenings are getting colder, so we will need to put on our winter coats, gloves, hats and maybe boots.
We will begin our hike at 7:30 pm. Grab your Starry Trail map and binoculars and let’s go!

Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

October 2015

Let’s take advantage of our later sunrises at this time of year to head out in the predawn hours (one hour before sunrise) and check out several days full of sights of striking beauty! Not only will we see brilliant Venus and Jupiter and red Mars, but we will have appearances by Mercury and the Crescent Moon!! Of course our magnificent Orion, the Hunter and Sirius the Dog Star will join the show! See our highlight section for all the important viewing dates.

For our evening hike, step and take a deep breath. Do you smell the scent of autumn in the air? The nights are getting chillier and the sun sets much earlier. But on the warmer fall evenings, we may still hear the last of the crickets! It’s time to head out and explore the autumn constellations. Grab your Starry Trail map, jacket, binoculars and for those cold nights, your gloves.
Our hike begins around 7:45.

Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

September 2015

According to folklore, the Full Moon in September is called the Harvest Moon. On the same night, the Moon will also be closest to the Earth in its orbit, so we call it a Super Moon. But wait…… the most exciting part is that we will have a Total Lunar Eclipse the night of the Full Super Harvest Moon!!! Check out our highlights section for full details of this phenomenal event on Sunday, September 27th!

Let’s head out for our hike. We can still enjoy some warm nights and great sounds, but autumn is just around the corner. Are you ready to enjoy our starry hike? Grab your Starry Trail map, bug spray, binoculars, jacket and chair or blanket.
Our hike begins around 8:30pm.!

Starry Trails – Starry Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

August 2015

Ahhh! The sounds of summer! Take a few minutes and listen! I love to hear the summer sounds when I head out for my favorite stargazing month. There are so many delights to see with your eyes and binoculars! As you are gazing at the night sky, the sounds of a summer night fill the air!

Are you ready for our hike? Grab your Starry Trail map, bug spray, binoculars, light jacket and lawn chair or blanket.
Our hike begins around 9:30pm.

Starry Trails – Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

July 2015

We start the month of July with the spectacular planet pairing and end with a Blue Moon! And in between we can enjoy the summer Milky Way which offers great views of many celestial delights! Venus and Jupiter continue to dazzle in the western sky after sunset for just a few more weeks. Brilliant Venus is now to the left of Jupiter and the pair will continue to spread apart and drop lower in the western sky each night . What a show it is was!!

Once again our hike will begin around 10:00pm. We have so much to see tonight, are you ready? Don’t forget your Starry Trail Map, bug spray, binoculars, light jacket and lawn chair or blanket. We will begin our hike by facing west or the fading colors of the sunset.

Starry Trails – Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

June 2015

What an exciting month we have coming up!! We will continue to see Jupiter approach Venus, great telescopic views of lovely Saturn and the start of summer! Head out 45 minutes after sunset and look direction west (where you see the beautiful sunset colors), to check out the spectacular planet pairing of Venus and Jupiter! June 30th is the closest pairing! Venus is more brilliant than Jupiter.

With the long days of summer, our Starry hike will not start until 10:00pm. So grab your Starry Trail Map, binoculars, bug spray and a light jacket.

Starry Trails – Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

May 2015

Spring always brings renewed excitement for stargazers! Warmer weather and clearer skies are here! We have fantastic celestial events coming our way over the next few months! Jupiter continues to close the gap on Venus and Mercury makes its best evening appearance of the year during the first week in May.

Head out about one hour after sunset and face west. Mercury can be found to the lower right of Venus.

Starry Trails – Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

April 2015

Although I am looking forward to warmer spring nights and the sounds of spring peepers filling the air, I will miss stepping out on a clear night and seeing our magnificent Orion, the Hunter! As we head into April, Jupiter and Venus continue to put on a dazzling show and there will be a partial lunar eclipse early on April 4th! Check out the highlights section for full details.

Starry Trails – Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio

March 2015

Wow, I am really looking forward to spring! Warmer, clearer nights and maybe the sounds of spring peepers filling the night air by the end of the month! But in the meantime, we can still enjoy the dazzling stars of winter and the return of our spring constellations.

The brilliant planet Venus continues to shine in our western sky after sunset. If you look down and to the right, slightly, you will see a dim object which is the planet, Mars. Binoculars will help you see Mars much easier!
Starry Trails – Sky Map – Illustrations – Starry Trails Audio