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Perhaps due to Japan's temperate climate, the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu is more gentle and benevolent than some other sun deities.
space exploration

How Can Myths Help Us Understand the Stars? AO Wants to Know.

Astrophysicist and folklorist Moiya McTier teaches science through storytelling.
Andrew Coletti March 20, 2025
The California seashore is full of wonder.
Itinerary

The Ultimate California Guide to Tide Pools and Coastal Marine Life

Hidden within pockets of California’s seawater lies an entire world waiting to be explored.
Tonopah, Nevada

Tonopah Stargazing Park

Take in the beauty of the Milky Way at one of the best sites for stargazing in Nevada—a state with some tough competition.
Valentine, Nebraska

Merritt Reservoir

In addition to fishing and camping, this spot in Nebraska’s Sandhills is one of the world’s darkest places.
Strolling by carnival food stands at the Nebraska State Fair, Grand Island.
museums

Atlas Obscura’s Guide to Nebraska’s Wackiest and Most Wondrous Summer Events

From the “World’s Largest Chicken Dance” to a week-long star party, don’t miss these funky events in the Cornhusker State.
A total solar eclipse—a much-sought experience for astro-tourists.
astronomy

Eclipses, Meteors, and the Elusive Delights of Astro-tourism

Dark-sky parks, stargazing cruises, and other ways to tour the heavens without leaving our home planet.
Vahe Peroomian March 18, 2024
Taken at West Lawn Park, near Chicago's Midway International Airport, this photo shows one of the city's many "Astronomer Joe" fan bases.
astronomy

‘Astro Joe’ Invites Chicagoans To Gaze at the Night Sky

Self-taught astronomer, Joe Guzman has been educating Chicago residents about space for decades.
Jonathan Feakins March 15, 2024
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Church of the Good Shepherd

This charming stone church on the shore of Lake Tekapo is an icon in astrophotography.
Clear winter skies offer exhilarating sights for stargazers, from auroras to the Milky Way; the right gear makes viewing them cozy and comfortable.
astronomy

A Holiday Gift Guide for Winter Stargazing and More

From telescopes to fun and functional hats, we've got ideas for every astro-enthusiast in your life this giving season.
Rebecca Boyle November 29, 2023
Our first place winner is Abdul Dremali's photograph of the Milky Way with moai figures on Easter Island, Chile!
photography

Our Second Summer Snaps Photo Contest Winners: Night Views

These magical images from our readers will inspire you to appreciate night vision.
Winnie Lee August 17, 2023
astronomy

A Cosmos of Contemplation Awaits the Mindful Stargazer

The night sky offers a path to both scientific understanding and being present in the universe.
Rebecca Boyle August 16, 2023
An artist's visual rendering of noisy gravitational waves.
observatories

Stargazing in a Multi-Sensory Universe

Sight is only one of the senses we can use to explore space. Welcome to multi-messenger astronomy.
Rebecca Boyle August 2, 2023
Star parties are a great way to learn how to find your way among the stars. This composite photo, created from 80 still shots, was taken during a star party at Utah's Canyonlands National Park, celebrating its designation as an International Dark Sky Park.
astronomy

A Beginner's Guide to Finding Your Way in the Heavens

It's easy to identify planets, stars, and even galaxies once you know where to look for them.
Rebecca Boyle July 19, 2023
We asked readers to share their best stories about the night sky—quite a few included magical tales of seeing the northern lights.
meteorites

9 Summer Night Sky Stories From Our Readers to Warm the Heart

From seeing the northern lights aboard a Navy ship in Norway to braving the cold for a glimpse of a blood moon.
Sarah Durn June 28, 2023
The Summer Triangle dominates the left side of this image: Vega is the bright star at top left, Altair appears just below the center of image, and Deneb at far left.
astronomy

At Solstice, the Summer Triangle Is Full of Celestial Drama

On the Northern Hemisphere's shortest night of the year, spot this trio of bright stars with stories to tell.
Rebecca Boyle June 21, 2023
The Beehive Cluster, also known as Praesepe and M44, can be spotted near Venus this week.
astronomy

Watch the Beehive Cluster and Venus Dance in the Night Sky

Summer is the time to spot a group of "sibling stars" observed for millennia. Use our gear guide to get started.
Rebecca Boyle June 14, 2023
A solitary tree flanked by Venus and Mars on the left, the Moon on the right.
astronomy

How to See Venus and Mars in the Summer Sky

Our nearest planetary neighbors can help you map your place in the solar system.
Rebecca Boyle June 7, 2023
The 2018 Strawberry Moon rises behind St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall, England. While increased humidity in the atmosphere may turn these early summer full moons pinkish, their name originates with the ripening time of strawberries in North America.
astronomy

The Strawberry Moon Marks a Sweet Start to Summer

Here's why you should welcome this most lovely of full moons—and how to experience it.
Rebecca Boyle May 31, 2023