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Posts by
Bruce McClure
The Wild Duck cluster, M11, a lovely open cluster in Scutum
The Wild Duck cluster, also known as M11, is an open star cluster in the constellation Scutum that appears best through binoculars or a telescope.
August 28, 2026
Sagittarius the Archer is home to deep-sky wonders
The zodiacal constellation Sagittarius the Archer contains the center of the Milky Way and a famous asterism known as the Teapot.
August 23, 2026
Favorite Star Patterns
Teapot of Sagittarius points to the Milky Way’s center
As you gaze toward the famous Teapot asterism in the constellation Sagittarius, you are looking toward the center of our Milky Way galaxy.
August 21, 2026
The Great Rift is a dark swath in the Milky Way
The Great Rift or Dark Rift is a darkened swath of the Milky Way where new stars are forming. It's best seen from a rural location away from light pollution.
August 19, 2026
Is Ophiuchus the 13th constellation of the zodiac?
The sun passes through Ophiuchus for about 2 weeks every year, so why isn’t this constellation considered the zodiac’s 13th sign?
August 19, 2026
Find the Andromeda Galaxy using Cassiopeia
Leave the city behind this weekend, and go galaxy-hunting! Cassiopeia - one of the easiest constellations to identify - points the way to the Andromeda Galaxy.
August 2, 2026
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 30, 2026
Meet Shaula and Lesath, the Scorpion’s Stinger stars
Shaula and Lesath, the Stinger Stars, mark Scorpius the Scorpion’s tail. Learn how to find this striking constellation in the night sky.
July 28, 2026
M6 and M7: Open star clusters in the Scorpion’s Tail
M6 and M7 are star clusters near Scorpius’ stinger. Under a dark sky, these loose groups of stars can be a stunning sight.
July 23, 2026
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. Here's how to find it in your sky.
July 19, 2026
