Easy Stargazing Opportunities for Pennsylvania Families

Astronomical viewing is a fantastic way to step outside and experience the wonders of the night sky. Celestial objects and their positions are constantly shifting, offering new sights to discover throughout the year

 While major astronomical events make headlines, the truth is that the night sky is always full of incredible sights waiting to be explored. My last blog was tailored to helping PA Virtual families get acquainted with tips and tricks for viewing, and this blog will help you zero in on some upcoming astronomical events. This article will help you prepare for and make the most of these opportunities. Let's take a sun-centered approach and work our way outward to the solar system and beyond. 

Moon and Sun: Exciting Upcoming Events

The Sun and the Moon are always fascinating celestial targets- just step outside and enjoy the view! 

Let's start with the upcoming full moon- and lunar eclipse. This lunar eclipse will grace the night sky on March 13th and continue into the early morning hours. Every full moon has a name tied to cultural and seasonal significance, and this month’s Full Worm Moon signals the thawing of the ground, allowing earthworms to emerge- a sure sign of spring! 

This total lunar eclipse on March 13th will unfold as follows: 

• 11:57 PM- The lunar eclipse begins as Earth’s shadow slowly darkens the Moon.
• 2:26 AM- Totality begins, casting a deep reddish hue over the Moon due to scattering sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere.
• 2:59 AM- The Moon reaches its deepest point in Earth’s shadow.
• 3:31 AM- Totality ends.
• 4:48 AM- The Moon fully exits the Earth’s shadow, bringing the eclipse to a close. 

At the end of the month, a partial solar eclipse will occur, when the Moon will cover a small portion of the Sun (from our vantage point in PA). Depending where you are in Pennsylvania, you will see this event take place during the day on March 29th during the following times:

This partial solar eclipse on March 29th  will unfold as follows: 

• Eastern PA  area- partial will start at 5:23 AM, cover 12% of the Sun, and end at 6:51 AM.
• Central PA area- partial will start at 5:25 AM, and cover 2% of the Sun, ending at 7:02 AM.
• Eastern PA- This area will be outside of the viewing area.

As always, protect your eyes- never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection. You can seriously hurt your eyes without taking the proper precautions. Fun fact- Solar and Lunar Eclipses typically take place within two weeks of each other, due to the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Check out some great photos below!

May 16th 2022 Image of Lunar Eclipse entering totality                      May 16th, 2022 Image of Lunar Eclipse in Totality of Earth's shadow

Planets: A Stunning Lineup Continues! 

Let’s explore a little farther out. The Moon isn’t just a fascinating target on its own—it also serves as a great marker for finding planets! Many people get excited when the news reports on planetary alignments, but what often goes unmentioned is that these planets don’t just disappear—they remain visible night after night in nearly the same locations for a period of time.

Right now, some of the best planets to observe include Mars, Jupiter, and Venus, all of which can be found along the ecliptic—an imaginary path in the sky that the Sun, Moon, and planets follow. Learning to recognize this path will help you easily locate these planets whenever you stargaze.

• Venus- Right now called the “Evening Star,” Venus is currently brilliantly bright and visible just after sunset. It’s the third brightest celestial object in the sky, after the Sun and Moon! However, it sets relatively early, so catch it while you can (it will start to become the “Morning Star” in April). 
• Jupiter- Higher in the sky, Jupiter is another fantastic target. Even a small pair of binoculars can reveal its four Galilean moons. With a small telescope, you may even see Jupiter’s cloud bands and, on a clear night, possibly its famous Great Red Spot (visibility depends on atmospheric conditions). 
• Mars- positioned further left of Venus and Jupiter, Mars appears as a reddish “star” to the naked eye. With a telescope, you may be able to make out its round shape- and if conditions are just right, even a faint glimpse of its polar ice caps. 

The only easily visible planets missing from that planetary lineup are Mercury and Saturn, with Neptune and Uranus being very hard to locate without a more powerful telescope. So take advantage of the remainder of this planetary lineup while it lasts! With just a little effort, you’ll be able to track these distant worlds as they continue their slow movements across our night sky. 

The Moon covering Mars on January 13th 2025 (Mars Moon occlusion- very rare!)

Winter to Spring Targets: Exploring the wonders of the night sky! 

As the crisp winter nights transition into the milder evenings of spring, the sky remains full of wonders waiting to be explored. The longer nights still offer fantastic opportunities to observe some of the most iconic constellations and celestial sights. Below I have listed a few must-see targets in the winter and spring night sky:

• Orion- One of the most recognizable constellations, Orion features the striking three-star alignment of Orion’s Belt. Look for the bright red supergiant Betelgeuse and don’t miss the Orion Nebula below the belt- visible as a bright smudge when looking through binoculars. 
• The Pleiades (Seven Sisters) Star Cluster- A stunning open star cluster that resembles a tiny dipper in the sky. Best viewed with binoculars for a breathtaking sight! 
• Ursa Major and Ursa Minor: Home to the famous Big Dipper, which serves as a celestial guide to locating Polaris, the North Star, in Ursa Minor (Home to the famous Little Dipper!)

Take advantage of these cool, clear nights to stargaze and explore the universe from your backyard. Check out some photo examples!

February 2020, Orion Nebular Image (using telescope)                                                      October 2025, Big Dipper over tree line with Northern Lights 

Bonus- Keep an Eye on the Sky: The Northern Lights May Make an Appearance (or two!)

The next few years present an exciting opportunity for catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights, thanks to increased solar activity. The Sun follows a 22-year cycle, and we are currently approaching the peak of sunspot activity- boosting the chances of seeing auroras even at lower latitudes! 

We’ve already witnessed some spectacular displays, including phenomenal Northern Lights in May and October of last year, and more recent sightings in February and March of this year. In fact, just this past weekend, there were reports of auroras visible from various locations across the northern latitude states, including PA!

Tips for Viewing the Northern Lights: 

• Plan Ahead- Scout out a dark-sky location away from city lights.
• Use a Tripod and Long Exposure- Many auroras appear faint to the naked eye but can be captured vividly with your smartphone or camera. Try a 3 to 30 second exposure to bring out the colors. 
• Stay Alert for Solar Activity Updates- keep an eye on aurora forecasts websites and apps to track geomagnetic activity.

With solar activity on the rise, now is a fantastic time to get outside, look up, and check out all that the universe has to offer!

2023 Image of the Sun with Sunspots                                                                  October 2024 Aurora                                             

A lasting impact on PA Virtual students and families:

As schools in PA transition to the newer STEELS standards and embrace phenomena-based learning, astronomical events provide an exciting way to engage students and families in exploring the world around them. Each observable phenomenon sparks curiosity, leading to deeper questions and a desire to learn more. Most of the images posted were taken with a smartphone and a small tripod for long exposure- tools that do not require a lot of capital to get started in your journey to the stars! Educators across disciplines are finding that real-world, observable phenomena drive student interest and inspire them to connect classroom learning with the universe beyond. By incorporating these events into lessons and discussions, schools can foster a sense of wonder and encourage lifelong learning in science!

Full Moon Image 

Looking Up and Moving Forward 

Stargazing is more than just an activity - it’s an opportunity to connect with the universe and appreciate the wonders above us. Whether you are watching a meteor shower, tracking the planets, or catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights, every night sky offers something new to discover. As science and education continue to evolve, engaging with astronomy can spark curiosity and inspire lifelong learning for students and families. So, keep looking up, keep asking questions, and enjoy the ever-changing celestial show above!