The Sky Tonight

Embark on a captivating tour of the night sky as seen from our area, featuring visible planets, bright stars, seasonal constellations, periodic comets, upcoming rocket launches, and more!

Toward the end of March, the Parker Solar Probe will make another daring flyby of the Sun, coming within just seven million miles of its surface. While that might not seem close, consider this: Earth orbits a comfortable 93 million miles away. Imagine the warmth of the Sun on your face on a sunny day—then picture being fourteen times closer! Along with a live tour of the night sky, March shows will track Parker’s journey, revealing the Sun as you’ve never seen it before.

The bright stars of spring evenings serve as stepping-stones through time. Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, lies a mere nine light-years from Earth, while the stars of Orion’s Belt gleam from over a thousand light-years away. This April, we’ll show you how nearby planets add another layer to this cosmic timeline, their light reaching us in mere minutes.

For nearly a year, astronomers have been watching a pair of stars in the constellation Corona Borealis, waiting for them to “go nova,” becoming bright enough to be visible with the unaided eye. What’s happening in this distant system, why are astronomers interested, and how can you see this event yourself? Find out in our May The Sky Tonight shows.

Recommended for ages 8+; 60-minute live and interactive show. Advance ticket purchase is encouraged.

Sponsored by Domino Sugar Yonkers Refinery.