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Posts by
Bruce McClure
The Northern Cross: Find the backbone of the Milky Way
The Northern Cross is an asterism - or recognizable pattern of stars - within the constellation Cygnus the Swan. Learn how to find it in your sky here.
July 25, 2024
M6 and M7: Open star clusters in the Scorpion’s Tail
M6 and M7 are star clusters near Scorpius’ stinger. But you’ll need a dark sky to see these faint but stunning stellar aggregations.
July 18, 2024
Scorpius the Scorpion is a summertime delight
The southernmost constellation of the zodiac is Scorpius the Scorpion. It's easy to spot on July evenings from most of the globe. It has a distinctive J shape.
July 17, 2024
What are star trails, and how do I photograph them?
Star trails are long-exposure photographs of stars taken as Earth turns, resulting in streaks of light across the sky. Here's how to photograph star trails.
July 14, 2024
Coathanger cluster: This star pattern looks like its name
The Coathanger cluster resembles its namesake and is easy to spot with binoculars, using the star Albireo - part of the Summer Triangle - to find it.
July 9, 2024
Exquisite Albireo, a colorful double star
Albireo, in the constellation Cygnus, is a favorite for stargazers. Through a small telescope, it appears as a beautiful gold star with a dimmer blue companion.
July 3, 2024
Meet Libra the Scales, a zodiacal constellation
The zodiacal constellation Libra the Scales is a fixture of the evening sky during Northern Hemisphere summer (Southern Hemisphere winter).
June 25, 2024
Zubenelgenubi is alpha star of Libra the Scales
Zubenelgenubi - Alpha Librae - is a double star, and is the second brightest star in the constellation Libra the Scales.
June 23, 2024
Latest sunsets follow the summer solstice
Latest sunsets around now for 40 degrees north latitude. Latest sunrises around now for 40 degrees south latitude. Plus, a word about twilight.
June 23, 2024
Earliest sunrises (or sunsets) come before June solstice
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, your earliest sunrises of the year are happening around now. Southern Hemisphere? Your earliest sunsets are around now.
June 12, 2024
