Pittsburgh Pete!

Comparing nights from my place in #Florida: On the left is last night (Nov. 12) with the night before (Nov. 11) showing a lot of #aurora on the right. Both photos were from about 11 p.m. EST. #northernlights

Unbelievable! The aurora borealis as seen from Florida! 🤯 I have seen them before, but never this far south.

The weather is nasty in many spots in the U.S., so tonight's (Nov. 9 late night to Nov. 10 before dawn) pairing of brilliant #Jupiter and the #Moon in #Gemini may be blotted out. If it's clear, this will be a lovely sight! Look from about 11 p.m. your time the rest of the night! 😍

Go ahead — step outside for a bit (Nov. 1 only). The #Moon will show the way to #Saturn (for #Neptune, you’ll need a telescope) right on the edge of #Pisces. 🥰

I'd forgotten about this "bum-hug" blog post I'd written a few years ago; it's my way of celebrating and remembering #Halloween, the monster that I am. Come along with me again to, uh, get into the spirit! 😱https://pzapadka.blogspot.com/2022/10/much-ado-about-halloween.html

Another line to cross Sometimes it's difficult to contain my giddy geekishness and nerdism.  It's been a long time since I used a slide rule, protractor or a poc...

Oh no! Am I getting cross yet again? 😍 Come with me and find out -- and see how you can experience all four seasons in a matter of seconds! 😳 pzapadka.blogspot.com/2025/10/anot...

The Moon will be two days past its first-quarter phase on Halloween, so keep this in mind if Dracula appears! 😍

If we only had a better chance to see #Mars and #Mercury tonight (Oct. 17) in #Libra. They’re so close to setting right after the #Sun.

This 💩 has to stop! 🛑

Get ready to dance with your sweetheart the evening of Oct. 6 (Monday) when the Harvest Moon occurs (exact moment is 11:47 p.m. EDT)! Cue up that Neil Young tune! Watch that pock-marked orb lie next to the Ringed Planet! 😍

Tonight’s the night — the Moon lies near the heart of the Scorpion! Yes, that ol’ pock-marked orb appears near Antares, the giant red star in the center of Scorpius. 😍 Look southwest as night falls on Sept. 27 only. Pretty sight! 😉

I completed this observing project in 2021, but I think of it on every #solstice and #equinox. These show the length of the shadow of a nearby lamppost around solar noon at the start of each season. See the difference? The geek and nerd in me just loves these! 😍

Are you ready? Fall arrives tomorrow (Sept. 22) at the moment of the autumnal equinox, 2:19 p.m. EDT. 🥰 😎

First Love Perhaps it was sometime in the early 1960s when the centerfold of a magazine grabbed my eyes and sparked my imagination. Yes, there were ple...

This morning's stunning astronomical event inspired me! Come along if you can! 😍 And please, by all means -- turn on to the night sky! 💖 pzapadka.blogspot.com/2025/09/firs...

The crescent #Moon, brilliant planet #Venus, and star #Regulus will appear together in the constellation #Leo in the morning sky tomorrow (Sept. 19)! Thanks, @skyandtelescope.bsky.social! 😍

There is so much misinformation about astronomy on social media. Be sure you access only trusted sources! Or you might get something like this:

Time to get mooned! Really! 😎 Remember, the eclipse of the Moon IS NOT VISIBLE in the U.S. or Canada. Instead, we can enjoy the light of the ol' pock-marked orb after sunset! It'll show the way to Saturn. Oh: Full Moon is exactly at 2:09 p.m. EDT Sept. 7. Thanks, Sky & Telescope! 😍

The waxing gibbous Moon shines in the south-southeast this evening, on a line between Altair and Fomalhaut. Altair is the bright star three or four fists above the Moon.
skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne...
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#astronomy #stargazing #moon #pisces #saturn

Bill Mazeroski was born Sept. 5, 1936. I am fortunate I got to see him play! 😍 ⚾️ #Pittsburgh

Total Lunar Eclipse on September 7–8, 2025 – Where and When to See Total lunar eclipse on September 7–8, 2025: Where and when is the Blood Moon visible and what will it look like? Visibility map, animation, and local times.

FMI: www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/luna...

Some not-so-accurate pages and groups keep sharing this hype. I don’t want you to be disappointed! This lunar eclipse IS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE U.S.! Thank you! 😎

Marino A. Parascenzo Obituary (2025) - Ellwood City, PA - Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc View Marino A. Parascenzo's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

Sad news of the passing of a great friend, colleague and writing guide. He took me under his wing. RIP, “Fombell!” You will be missed! 💔 www.legacy.com/us/obituarie...

Moon or Not, the Perseid Meteor Shower Is On! Sure, the Moon will be a problem. But clouds are worse. Don't miss one of the best meteor showers of the year.

Want the real scoop on the upcoming peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower? Go to the best source. skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne...

Astonishing! 😜

We are turning Earth into a unlivable Hot House Earth
Earth was about 2.65 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 1.47 degrees Celsius) warmer in 2024 than in the late 19th-century (1850-1900) preindustrial average.

The 10 most recent years are the warmest on record.
climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/...

It's August and the hours of daylight are diminishing, even though we have a little more than half of the summer left. Turn your eyes the next few nights to the sky after sunset. Watch the dance of that pock-marked orb! Thanks, Sky & Telescope -- my favorite source! 🥸

With apologies to the Pickles comic strip, this is how I'd respond if my dear sweet granddaughter Layla had asked me (or anyone else, for that matter) . . . 💖 💖 💖

Draco. Named for the northern constellation. He’s my boy! 🤩 😍

Dang! What a sky at 4 a.m.! 😳 (July 21)