HOW TO USE A CALENDAR OF THE HEAVENS FOR 2021

The Calendar Pages (120–147) are the heart of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. They present sky sightings and astronomical data for the entire year and are what make this book a true almanac, a “calendar of the heavens.” In essence, these pages are unchanged since 1792, when Robert B. Thomas published his first edition. The long columns of numbers and symbols reveal all of nature’s preci-sion, rhythm, and glory, providing an astronomical look at the year 2021.

HOW TO USE THE CALENDAR PAGES

The astronomical data on the Calendar Pages (120–147) are calculated for Boston (where Robert B. Thomas learned to calculate the data for his first Almanac). Guidance for calculating the times of these events for your locale appears on pages 116–117. Note that the results will be approximate. For the exact time of any astronomical event at your locale, go to Almanac.com/ Astronomy and enter your zip code. While you’re there, print the month’s “Sky Map,” useful for viewing with “Sky Watch” in the Calendar Pages.

For a list of 2021 holidays and observances, see pages 148–149. Also check out the Glossary of Almanac Oddities on pages 152–153, which describes some of the more obscure entries traditionally found on the Right-Hand Calendar Pages (121–147).

ABOUT THE TIMES: All times are given in ET (Eastern Time), except where otherwise noted as AT (Atlantic Time, +1 hour), CT (Central Time, –1), MT (Mountain Time, –2), PT (Pacific Time, –3), AKT (Alaska Time, –4), or HAT (Hawaii-Aleutian Time, –5). Between 2:00 a.m., March 14, and 2:00 a.m., November 7, Daylight Saving Time is assumed in those locales where it is observed.

ABOUT THE TIDES: Tide times for Boston appear on pages 120–146; for Boston tide heights, see pages 121–147. Tide Corrections for East Coast locations appear on pages 236–237. Tide heights and times for locations across the United States and Canada are available at Almanac.com/Tides.