A red supergiant star transitions into a type II supernova in this animation. Credit: W. M. Keck Observatory/Adam Makarenko | ...

Another one of my favorites is a Halloween twofer: officially designated IC 2218, it’s an extended cloud of dust not far from the star Rigel, a brilliant blue supergiant marking Orion’s knee.

You may even be able to spot red supergiant Mu Cephei in the former. We haven't seen a lot of night vision monocular deals in previous years, but it's still worth keeping an eye out for this Prime ...