Geoff Gaherty was Space.com's Night Sky columnist and in partnership with Starry Night software and a dedicated amateur astronomer who sought to share the wonders of the night sky with the world. Based in Canada, Geoff studied mathematics and physics at McGill University and earned a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Toronto, all while pursuing a passion for the night sky and serving as an astronomy communicator. He credited a partial solar eclipse observed in 1946 (at age 5) and his 1957 sighting of the Comet Arend-Roland as a teenager for sparking his interest in amateur astronomy. In 2008, Geoff won the Chant Medal from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, an award given to a Canadian amateur astronomer in recognition of their lifetime achievements. Sadly, Geoff passed away July 7, 2016 due to complications from a kidney transplant, but his legacy continues at Starry Night.
Latest articles by Geoff Gaherty

By Geoff Gaherty Published
The moon looks strangely different in a telescope around last quarter.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
Two comets possibly bright enough to be seen by the naked eye are nearing the sun.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
The first quarter moon is the best time to see the moon's best lunar features.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
The Earth is just 91.4 million miles from the sun today. Normally, it is 93 million miles away.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
The final full moon of the year rises into the sky on Friday, Dec. 28.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
The Dec. 25 night sky will offer stargazers a gorgeous view.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
Stargazers can catch some great views of the giant asteroids Vesta and Ceres this week.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
You may need to rise early to see Mercury, but Jupiter is unmistakable in the night sky.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
Saturn and Venus will appear so close they can be seen in the same telescope view.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
The Leonid meteor shower of 2012 peaks early Saturday morning (Nov. 17), before sunrise.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
The moon, the planet Venus and the bright star Spica will be on view.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
A conjunction between the planet Jupiter and Earth's moon will occur this week.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, now is the time to look for Mercury.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
Star clusters, galaxies and nebulas, oh my! There's a lot to look for in the deep autumn sky.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
Now is a great time to try and see the zodiacal light, a rare celestial sight.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
The moon pays a visit to the Seven Sisters of Pleiades this week.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
The off-kilter planet Uranus hits night sky milestone on Saturday: Opposition.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
If you have a telescope, don't miss your chance to see asteroid Pallas in the night sky.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
The moon will have close encounters with three celestial bodies this month.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
Blue moons are not really blue. And they're not all that rare, either.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
Planet Neptune is set to reach a night sky milestone on Friday, Aug. 24.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
Thursday, Aug. 16, is a great time to look for the elusive planet Mercury in the predawn sky.

By Geoff Gaherty Published
Tips for how to see and photograph the Perseid meteor shower.
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