Astronomy

Southwest Life

Clusters of blue, yellow, red and orange stars

While gazing at stars is fun, gazing at groups of stars is even more fun. The more the merrier. There…

May 8, 2026

Southwest Life

How Cepheid variable stars are used to measure space

Occasionally, the calendar aligns so that I get to complain about daylight saving time in this column on the same…

March 7, 2026

Southwest Life

How solar storms light up the sky

This image provided by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows a solar flare, right, on May 14, 2024, captured in the…

February 6, 2026

Southwest Life

What Polarization tells us about objects outside our solar system

Everything we know about things outside of our solar system is from the light we receive. I am using the…

January 12, 2026

Columnists

The legacy of Orion’s belt

Collectively they have been known, among other things, as the Three Kings, the Three Marys and the String of Pearls.

December 14, 2025

What's up in Durango Skies

Gazing at the stars – and moon

The “Super Moon” rises over the Animas Valley late Sunday evening as seen from Hesperus Hill. It was unusually large…

November 8, 2025

What's up in Durango Skies

Changing skies

The night sky is changing. I am not talking about stars disappearing because of light pollution, even thought that is…

October 12, 2025

What's up in Durango Skies

Temperature, energy and the light spectrum

Greetings, stargazers. Spring is galaxy season for many amateur astronomers. However, when looking through an eyepiece instead of a camera…

April 11, 2025

Regional News

What’s next for Lunar Outpost’s rover mission after moon lander got stuck on its side?

The Athena Lander by Intuitive Machines can be seen resting on its side near the Lunar South Pole on Mar.…

March 11, 2025

What's up in Durango Skies

Charles Hakes: Practicing astronomy in the time shift

cca Greetings, stargazers. Today we can all say a fond farewell to Mountain Standard Time while we spend at least…

March 9, 2025

What's up in Durango Skies

Why stars twinkle

Greetings, stargazers. There have been many clear, dark nights recently. I hesitate to say this, but right now I think…

February 7, 2025

What's up in Durango Skies

Taurus the bull and Orion the hunter

(Adobe Stock)cca Greetings, stargazers. A prominent winter constellation is Taurus, the bull. It is particularly easy to find this month,…

January 10, 2025

What's up in Durango Skies

What’s on your stargazing wishlist

Greetings, stargazers. This is the time of year to get your astronomer holiday wish list in order and make predictions…

December 7, 2024

What's up in Durango Skies

Comets are enjoying some extra attention

Greetings stargazers. This has been an eventful month. From my backyard I got to see an aurora and a comet…

November 8, 2024

Local News

Rare lunar event illuminates Chimney Rock National Monument

pillars, moon’s 18.6-year cycle and ancient structures tell a story

October 23, 2024

Regional News

A rare comet last visible from Earth 80,000 years ago makes a return visit

Celestial object visible over western horizon shortly after sunset

October 15, 2024

Local News

Why the northern lights dazzled the sky farther south than normal

seen in Southwest Colorado and New Mexico

October 11, 2024

What's up in Durango Skies

Boötes tills the skies

Greetings, stargazers. The very bright star near zenith at dusk is Arcturus. It is the fourth brightest star in the…

June 9, 2024

What's up in Durango Skies

Drinking from the Big Dipper

Greetings, stargazers. The Big Dipper is one of the most recognizable asterisms in the night sky. However, it is only…

May 12, 2024

Regional News

A $700-per-night stargazing resort is coming to San Luis Valley

there enough space – and demand – to support it and similar ventures?

April 16, 2024

What's up in Durango Skies

Sunspots and Prominences

Greetings, stargazers. The total eclipse happened. I was lucky enough to be able to get to it and avoid the…

April 15, 2024

Local News

Eclipse halo proves to be Durango’s shining point during Monday’s celestial event

Durango couple fights Texas cloud cover in order to see eclipse in totality

April 8, 2024

Local News

Column: Chasing the eclipse

Durango man watches Monday’s total solar eclipse in Uvalde, Texas

April 8, 2024

Local News

Some Durangoans trekking to Texas to witness total eclipse

similar celestial event won’t occur until 2044

April 7, 2024