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Posts by
Bruce McClure
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
Photos of last night’s eclipse, plus tonight’s moon near Aldebaran
Full moon was last night, November 29-30, 2020. There was a faint penumbral eclipse of the moon. Tonight's moon is still near the bright red star Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus. Eclipse photos here.
November 30, 2020
When is my earliest sunset?
For the southernmost US and similar latitudes, the earliest sunsets of the year are happening now. Your earliest sunset depends on your latitude, but always comes before the winter solstice.
November 29, 2020
See Earth’s shadow after sunset
These next few days - November 27 and 28, 2020 - look for Earth's shadow and the Belt of Venus below the bright waxing gibbous moon.
November 27, 2020
Watch for the moon and Mars
Use the moon to find the planet Mars on November 24, 25 and 26, 2020. Then use the planet Mars to find Mars and Uranus within the same binocular field in January 2021.
November 24, 2020
November’s young moon and December’s Jupiter-Saturn conjunction
As darkness falls on November 18-21, 2020, use the moon to locate Jupiter and Saturn. Their conjunction will be December 21. Watch into December as these 2 giant worlds draw close!
November 18, 2020
Young moon at dusk; meteors after midnight
On November 16, 17, 18 and 19, 2020, enjoy the beautiful presence of a waxing crescent moon covered over in earthshine in the west after sunset. Then, after midnight, watch for meteors in the annual Leonid meteor shower.
November 16, 2020
Leonid meteor shower is building to a peak
The peak of the Leonids is likely to be before sunup on November 17, 2020. But people already catching some Leonids. Keep an eye out this weekend.
November 14, 2020
2020’s second Friday the 13th is this Friday
November 13, 2020, will be the second of 2020's two Friday the 13ths. This Friday the 13th comes exactly 39 weeks - that is, the number 3 multiplied by the number 13 - before the next Friday the 13th on August 13, 2021. Whee!
November 11, 2020
