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Posts by
Bruce McClure
Solstice tale of two cities
December solstice sunrise comes at the same time for St. Augustine, Florida, and New York City. But St. Augustine has an hour more of daylight than New York. Here's why.
December 19, 2020
Young moon, Jupiter, Saturn glorious December 15 to 18!
The 2 bright shining objects near the moon - December 15 to 18, 2020 - will be Jupiter and Saturn. These 2 giant planets are now nearing their great conjunction on December 21. Don't miss this!
December 15, 2020
Find the Geminids’ radiant point
Why is the Geminid meteor shower best around 2 a.m.? It's because that's when the shower's radiant point - near the bright star Castor in the constellation Gemini - is highest in the sky.
December 11, 2020
Spectacular! Moon and Venus before sunrise
Over these next few days - December 11, 12 and 13, 2090 - watch for the waning crescent moon to pass by the dazzling planet Venus.
December 10, 2020
South American total solar eclipse December 14
The new moon moves in front of the sun on December 14, 2020, to present this year's one and only total eclipse of the sun.
December 9, 2020
Moon passes Spica on December 10, as Venus blazes below
The waning moon passes bright Spica - Virgo's sole 1st-magnitude star - before sunup on December 10, 2020. As viewed from across Earth that morning, the illuminated side of the moon points in the direction of brilliant Venus.
December 9, 2020
See a celestial Chariot in December
The constellation Auriga the Charioteer also has several easy-to-find and very famous star clusters that you can spot with binoculars.
December 8, 2020
Moon passes through Leo the Lion Dec 5-7
Let the waning gibbous moon show you Regulus, Leo's brightest star, as the moon parades through the constellation Leo the Lion these next several days!
December 5, 2020
Moon lights up Gemini December 2 and 3
These next few nights - December 2 and 3 - the bright waning gibbous moon shines in front of the constellation Gemini the Twins. Find this constellation, and you've found the radiant point for the Geminid meteor shower, due to peak on December 13-14.
December 2, 2020
Cassiopeia, Queen of the north
Cassiopeia - sometimes called The Lady of the Chair - is famous for having the shape of a telltale W or M.
December 1, 2020
