Posts by 

Bruce McClure

Meet Cancer the Crab and its Beehive cluster

Cancer the Crab is one of the 12 constellations of the zodiac. Learn how to find it in your sky, plus learn about its star cluster, mythology and more.

The Beehive cluster: A swarm of 1,000 stars

The Beehive cluster is an open star cluster that lies near the center of the constellation Cancer the Crab. It goes by many names, including Praesepe and M44.

Lonely Alphard is the brightest star in Hydra

Alphard is the "heart" and brightest star in the constellation Hydra the Water Snake, and it represents a welcome sign of spring for the Northern Hemisphere.

Is Sirius the most luminous star in the sky?

Sirius is the brightest star in Earth's sky because of how close it is to us. It's so bright you might see glints of different colors flashing from it.

Year’s latest solar noon happens on February 11

February 11 has 2024's latest solar noon by the clock. Solar noon is a natural event, the instant when the sun is at its highest point for the day.

Mizar and Alcor in the bend of the Big Dipper

Mizar and Alcor are a famous pair of stars located at the bend of the handle of the Big Dipper. Can you see both without using binoculars?

The April 8 eclipse is part of Saros 139. What does that mean?

Enjoy the April 8 eclipse as you witness the 30th of 71 member eclipses in the illustrious procession known as Saros 139. Learn more here.

Meet Taurus the Bull in the February evening sky

Taurus the Bull resides near the constellation Orion. It contains 2 famous star clusters that are easy to spot; they are the Pleiades and the Hyades.

The Hyades star cluster: The Face of Taurus the Bull

You can easily see the V-shaped Hyades star cluster, Face of Taurus the Bull, and the bright reddish star Aldebaran, the fiery Eye of the Bull.

Meet the Winter Circle, aka the Winter Hexagon

The brightest stars in the Northern Hemisphere's winter sky form the shape of the Winter Circle, or Hexagon, that will help you locate 6 constellations.

2024 EarthSky Fundraiser

Any amount will help us reach our goal.

Would you consider

donating?

If you've already donated, we apologize for the popup and greatly appreciate your support.