James

James is the Planetarium Astronomer at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. He teaches students every school morning in the planetarium, and also answers astronomy questions from the public.

Seeing Stars with James Wooten: Total Lunar Eclipse this Month

Saturn is now in the southwestern sky at dusk. It outshines the stars around it, so it’s also easy to see.  Mars is a little higher in the morning sky this month. Look for it low in the east at dawn. Mars remains dimmer then average, though, and won’t rival the brighter stars until next […]

Seeing Stars with James Wooten: Saturn and Perseid meteors bright in August

Saturn is now in the south-southwestern sky at dusk. It outshines the stars around it, so it’s also easy to see. Mars emerges into the morning sky this month. Look for it low in the east at dawn.  Mars remains dimmer then average, though, and won’t rival the brighter stars until next spring. Venus and […]

Seeing Stars with James Wooten: The Stars of Summer are Here

This is the last month to observe the two brightest planets in the western evening sky. On June 30, Venus overtook Jupiter. This month, watch Venus shift to the left of Jupiter each evening at dusk. Meanwhile, both planets appear lower and lower to the horizon each night, until they are both lost in the […]

Seeing Stars with James Wooten: Lunar Eclipse on April 4

Mars remains in the west at dusk this month as it moves through Aries. Mars continues to fade a little each night as Earth continues to leave it farther behind. Later on this month, Mars begins to be lost in the glare of the Sun. Mercury enters the evening sky as Mars leaves it. By […]

Seeing Stars with James Wooten: The Stars of Spring are Rising

Mars remains in the west at dusk this month as it moves through Pisces. Mars continues to fade a little each night as Earth continues to leave it farther behind. After this month, Mars begins to be lost in the glare of the Sun. Venus is in the west at dusk. Venus overtook Mars on […]