How much magnification would you need to see the astronauts' bootprints on the moon? Let's find out. Venus and Saturn are on opposite sides of the sky. Mars is about to slow down. Mercury barely makes it into the evening.

The celestial dragon could breathe out some fireballs this week. Meteor colors give us clues about what meteors are made of and what's happening as they pass through the air. Venus keeps inching its way into the evening sky. Jupiter holds still. Mars moves past the twins.

The moon passes in front of the sun for an annular eclipse this week. There's plenty of planetary action all night. And some people may be able to spot what's been called a false dawn, thanks to dust in the solar system.

Mars passed by Mebsuta and is now approaching Mekbuda. Both stars are named for parts of a lion's paw.

Mercury's out of sight.

Venus moves alongside Virgo.

The September equinox starts the week.

The moon is about as far north as it can get.

And we have a meteor shower you're more likely to hear with the help of a radio than to see.

The moon passes in front of Saturn this week. Then it goes through Earth's shadow.

Mars passes by Mebsuta, named for a lion in Arabian star lore.

And why is red light right for astronomers at night?

Saturn's at opposition.

Venus is near Porrima, whose name refers to a goddess of prophecy and normal, headfirst births.

Mars passes by Propus in the feet of Gemini.

And some observers get to see the moon pass in front of Antares.

Mercury's at greatest elongation this week. Saturn's at opposition next week. You can see these planets on opposite sides of the sky.

Venus is in the evening sky. The moon passes in front of Spica.

Some people have claimed that Abraham Lincoln was so desperate to win a hopeless court case he fabricated evidence. Astronomy then and now can prove he was as honest as his reputation holds.

It's been more than four decades since a mysterious signal seemingly came from somewhere in Sagittarius. No signal like it has ever been found again. It didn't seem to contain any information.

Mercury's in conjunction with the sun. Venus slowly heads deeper into the evening sky. The moon hides Saturn. Mars continues on its way after passing Jupiter.

The Perseid meteor shower peaks. Start looking for eclipses of Algol again. Mercury is near Regulus. Venus is nearby. Mars and Jupiter rise after midnight.