Michael E. Bakich, Author at Astronomy.com

Deep-Sky Objects

Winter observing targets for small telescopes

A stark, high-contrast photograph captures a solid black circle perfectly centered against a jet-black background. A bright, glowing ring of white light radiates outward from behind the dark circle, creating a soft, hazy halo with faint streaks extending into the surrounding darkness.

Today in the History of Astronomy

Oct. 2, 480 B.C.E.: A eclipse causes a retreat

A bright greenish-yellow streaks vertically down the center of a dark night sky filled with tiny stars, fanning out softly into a faint, curved white tail near the top. In the lower-right corner, a dark, silhouetted horizon is bordered by a intense, glowing red and orange sky band. The bright streak and colorful horizon contrast sharply against the surrounding deep black space.

Today in the History of Astronomy

Sept. 18, 1965: Discovery of Comet Ikeya-Seki

An vintage, wide black-and-white map depicts coastal regions from East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula across India and Southeast Asia on light beige paper. A light blue, curved band sweeps horizontally across the center, marking a path across the landmasses and bodies of water. The map is overlaid with French labels, grid lines, and black line drawings of geographical features, lit evenly across the page.

Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 18, 1868: Helium is discovered

A medieval-style illustration depicts a seated king centered in the frame, wearing a gold crown, a red tunic, and a dark blue cloak over his shoulders and lap. He sits with folded hands on a red-and-gold bench, set against an off-white background decorated with stylized green leaves and red ornaments. The drawing features bold black outlines, rich blue and red pigments, and moderate contrast on a aged parchment texture.

Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 2, 1133: A total eclipse is misremembered

Observe the deep sky in Ara

Spend some time in Auriga

Deep-Sky Objects

Wander the Queen’s starry court

What’s lurking in Lynx?

Deep-Sky Objects

Discover deep-sky gems in Ophiuchus

A grainy, black-and-white photograph shows a solid dark circle positioned slightly to the left of the center. A soft, hazy halo of light surrounds the circle, creating a high contrast against the dark, textured background. A few tiny, bright flares burst out along the right and upper-left edges of the central dark circle.

Today in the History of Astronomy

July 28, 1851: The first photo of a total eclipse

Underappreciated Serpens