Posts by

Bruce McClure

Moon, star Spica on Mar 1, 2021

This evening - March 1, 2021 - look eastward before going to bed and you just might catch the bright waning gibbous moon and the star Spica over the horizon.

Bruce McClure

March 1, 2021

Full Snow Moon on February 26-27, 2021

These next few nights - February 26 and 27, 2021 - watch for the full Snow Moon to light up the nighttime form dusk till dawn.

Bruce McClure

February 26, 2021

Moon and faint Cancer the Crab on February 24, 2021

Cancer the Crab is the faintest constellation of the zodiac. But - if you'll note the stars in the moon's vicinity on February 24, 2021 - those stars can help you find Cancer.

Bruce McClure

February 24, 2021

Moon, Castor, Pollux and Procyon on February 23

On February 23, 2021, you'll find the bright waxing gibbous moon shining close to the 2 brightest stars in the constellation Gemini, Castor and Pollux. Procyon, the Little Dog Star, is also nearby.

Bruce McClure

February 23, 2021

Mercury-Saturn quasi-conjunction on February 23, 2021

Will you see Saturn and Mercury in the east before sunup these next few mornings? It won't be easy. They're near the sunrise. Their quasi-conjunction comes on February 23.

Bruce McClure

February 22, 2021

Moon skims past Mars and Aldebaran February 17-19, 2021

The waxing crescent moon pairs up with the faint planet Uranus on February 17, flits by the red planet Mars on February 18, and then joins up with the red star Aldebaran on February 19.

Bruce McClure

February 17, 2021

Arc to Arcturus, a springtime star

Arcturus is one of the easiest stars to find. Late at night in February - earlier as the months pass - just locate the Big Dipper in your northern sky. Then follow the arc in the Dipper's handle to find yellow-orange star Arcturus.

Bruce McClure

February 16, 2021

See the young moon on February 12, 13 and 14

Beginning on February 12, look west after sunset for the young moon - a thin lunar crescent - in the west shortly after sunset.

Bruce McClure

February 12, 2021

Venus-Jupiter conjunction February 11, 2021

Depending on where you live worldwide, the planets Venus and Jupiter will pair up most closely in the morning sky on February 11 or 12, 2021.

Bruce McClure

February 10, 2021

Observer’s challenge: Moon and morning planets on February 8, 9 and 10

Before sunrise on February 8, 9 and 10, 2021, the old moon might guide you to 3 morning planets: Venus, Jupiter and Saturn. Fair warning. It won't be easy to spot the planets so near the sunrise glare!

Bruce McClure

February 7, 2021

Bruce McClure

Bruce McClure served as lead writer for EarthSky's popular Tonight pages from 2004 to 2021, when he opted for a much-deserved retirement. You can still find many articles at EarthSky.org that were originally written by Bruce, and which the EarthSky editors still update regularly. Bruce is a sundial aficionado, whose love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and sailing in the North Atlantic, where he earned his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. He also wrote and hosted public astronomy programs and planetarium programs in and around his home in upstate New York. Bruce he loves cycles of all kinds! You can still find many articles at EarthSky with Bruce's name on them, exploring the various, intricate cycles of the sky.