From the Mountains to the Moon

Today's Astronomy of the Day shows the Moon rising over the Alps (did you know there are also Alps on the Moon?). Off to the side of the Moon, a small star. Wait...that's no star...that's a giant planet!

Sisters in Shroud

Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day brings us the Pleiades star cluster, visible from the naked eye to binoculars to rich-field telescopes, in the constellation of Taurus.

Many a night from yonder ivied casement, ere I went to rest,

Did I look on great Orion sloping slowly to the West.

Many a night I saw the Pleiads, rising thro' the mellow shade,

Glitter like a swarm of fire-flies tangled in a silver braid.

(Locksley Hall by Alfred, Lord Tennyson)