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Posts by
Bruce McClure
‘Ring of fire’ solar eclipse on June 10
The moon will sweep in front of the sun June 10 to stage 2021's first solar eclipse. A bright ring, the sun's outer rim, will surround the moon at mid-eclipse.
May 30, 2021
In late May, closest Mercury-Venus conjunction until 2033
Late May 2021 showcases the closest coupling of Mercury and Venus for years to come.
May 28, 2021
Total eclipse of 2021’s closest supermoon on May 26
The May 26 total eclipse of 2021's closest supermoon can be seen from western North America and elsewhere. It has a very short totality. Don't miss it!
May 25, 2021
Moon and Spica on May 22 and 23
Spica is the brightest star in Virgo the Maiden. It's the star near the moon on May 22 and 23, 2021. Learn this star's place in starlore, here.
May 22, 2021
Jupiter at west quadrature on May 21
If you could look down on the solar system plane from above on May 21, 2021, you'd see that the sun, Earth and Jupiter form a 90 degree angle in space, with our planet Earth at the vertex of this angle.
May 20, 2021
Regulus and the 1st quarter moon on May 19
This evening - May 19, 2021 - the moon is at or near its 1st quarter phase, shining rather close to Regulus, the constellation Leo the Lion's brightest star.
May 19, 2021
Mercury at greatest elongation on May 16-17
With an unobstructed horizon in the direction of sunset, there's a good chance that'll you spot Mercury with the eye alone in mid-May 2021. Look for it above bright Venus in the west, an hour or so after the sun goes down.
May 16, 2021
Moon and 3 evening planets May 12-15
Use the waxing crescent moon to find 3 planets from May 12-15, 2021. You'll find Mercury, Venus and Mars in the west after sunset. Find them - look down at Earth below your feet - and you'll be seeing the whole inner solar system.
May 12, 2021
Star-hop to the Hunting Dogs
Star-hop to Canes Venatici, the Hunting Dogs, tonight! You can do it, if you can find the constellation Leo the Lion and the famous Big Dipper asterism.
May 6, 2021
Moon sweeps by Saturn and Jupiter May 3-5
Watch for the waning moon to swing to the south of the ringed planet Saturn and then south of the king planet Jupiter around May 3, 4 and 5, 2021.
May 1, 2021
