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Quadrantid meteors and 11 other big skywatching events of 2012

What lies ahead sky-wise for 2012? Joe Rao, SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist, selected what he considers to be the top 12 "skylights" for this coming year,

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Transit of Venus: Early 'tape measure' for size of our solar system (+video)

The next transit of Venus occurs June 5. Astronomers once used the transit of Venus across the sun to come up with the 'astronomical unit' – the distance from Earth to our sun.
Manhattanhenge: Sun to align perfectly with New York street grid

Manhattanhenge: The street grid of New York's oldest and largest borough will briefly transform into a Stonehenge-like sundial, as the sun alights up the north and south sides of every cross street.
Supermoon Saturday: Why it's the biggest, brightest of 2012 (+video)

Supermoon Saturday: It's also called the 'Flower Moon,' and 'Milk Moon.' The 'supermoon' will be only 221,802 miles from Earth, the closest to our planet this year.
What does Easter have to do with the moon anyway?

Traditionally, Easter is observed on the Sunday after the first full moon of spring in the northern hemisphere.
Mars, moon, and star form brilliant sky triangle tonight

The moon, Mars and the star Regulus will combine to form a very bright triple play Tuesday night.
The science behind Groundhog Day (Hint: There isn't any.)

Despite the prognostications of celebrity marmots, the arrival of spring is based largely on the Earth's orientation to the sun.
Quadrantid Meteor Shower peaks Weds, one of 2012's best

The Quadrantids are notoriously unpredictable, but if any year promises a fine display, this could be it.
Quadrantid meteors and 11 other big skywatching events of 2012

What lies ahead sky-wise for 2012? Joe Rao, SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist, selected what he considers to be the top 12 "skylights" for this coming year,
Winter solstice: Days to get longer starting Thursday

Since June 20, the altitude of the midday sun has been lowering as its direct rays have been gradually migrating to the south. The sun's altitude above the horizon at noontime is 47 degrees lower now for observers in the Northern Hemisphere, compared to six months ago.
German satellite to fall to Earth. Here's how to watch it.

German satellite: A decommissioned German X-Ray space observatory about the size of a minivan is falling to Earth. With a dark sky, you can see it as it gradually descends.
Moon, Jupiter to shine near each other tonight

Moon meet Jupiter, Jupiter meet moon. The two most brilliant objects in our current night sky will make for an eye-catching duo tonight, weather permitting.
Perseid meteor shower: Best times to see the 'shooting stars'

Perseid meteor shower fans should go out Wednesday and Thursday a.m. to avoid the glare from the moon. The Perseid meteor shower peak is Aug. 13.
School-bus sized asteroid to hurtle past Earth Monday morning

At 9:26 AM Eastern time on Monday, a small asteroid will make an extremely close pass to our planet, but there is no chance that it will strike it, say NASA officials.
Summer solstice: Everything you want to know

Summer solstice: Summer arrives to the Northern Hemisphere at 1:16pm Eastern time on Tuesday.
Space Shuttle Endeavour: See the last flyby early Tuesday morning

The Space Shuttle Endeavour will be visible in the night sky early Tuesday morning. When can you see Endeavor, on it's last mission, and where should you look?
Solar Flare: A Northern Lights show for North America?

Solar flare - one of the biggest in four years - shot from the sun on Sunday. Scientists predict that a solar flare of this size - and traveling toward Earth - could produce a dramatic light show. Did it?
New zodiac signs 2011: Why astrology is even sillier than we thought

New zodiac signs 2011: Thanks to a wobble in the earth's axis, the astrological positions calculated some 2,000 years ago no longer apply. And even back then it was a big load of nonsense.
Should Pluto be restored as a planet? Experts weigh in.

New calculations indicate that Pluto might be the largest object in the outer solar system. Does it now deserve to be called a planet again?
Is this a true blue moon?

Sunday night's full moon qualifies as a 'blue moon,' but it's not the second full moon in November. So, why is it a blue moon?
Bright Venus may prompt UFO sightings

An extended daylight savings time will mean that Venus will shine bright in the eastern sky in the morning, likely prompting a bevy of UFO sightings.
How a comet can cause a meteor shower

The Earth often passes through the trail crumbs left behind by comets.
Mars hoax claims Mars will be moon-sized in the sky

Mars hoax e-mails have been passed on to countless people who haven't been able to resist forwarding it to their entire address book. In some cases, the message has been turned into a full-blown PowerPoint presentation.
Alien worlds? Far-off galaxies? Study sets US space priorities.

The National Research Council's once-a-decade study, released Friday, proposes the top priorities for US space science during the coming decade. NASA uses it as a blueprint.
Perseid meteor shower makes impressive start

Perseid meteor shower promises to be one of the flashiest meteor displays of the year, if you can stay awake to watch them.
Solar eclipse Sunday can be seen only on Easter Island

Solar eclipse on Sunday will be visible only on Easter Island in the South Pacific.