Posts by 

Bruce McClure

Astronomy Essentials

Saturn at opposition – and brightest – on August 26-27

Don't miss Saturn at opposition on and around the night of August 26-27, 2023. That's when our planet Earth passes between the sun and Saturn.

Sun-Regulus in conjunction on August 23

Every year around August 23, you can see the sun and Regulus in conjunction. But you won't see them, because they travel across the sky in the daytime.

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.
Favorite Star Patterns

Teapot of Sagittarius points to Milky Way center

As you gaze toward the famous Teapot asterism in the constellation Sagittarius, you're looking toward the center of our Milky Way galaxy.

Thuban was Pole Star for the ancient Egyptians

The Pole Stars change over time. Thuban was the Pole Star some 5,000 years ago, when the Egyptians were building the pyramids.

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.

Blue moon? What is it and when is the next one?

The 2nd of 2 full moons in a calendar month? Or 3rd of 4 full moons in a single season? How can both of them be a Blue Moon?

Meet Shaula and Lesath, Scorpion’s Stinger stars

Shaula and Lesath, known as the "stinger stars," mark the location of the scorpion's stinger in the zodiacal constellation Scorpius.

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 parts of the world.

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.