Sign Up for Our Amazing Newsletter!
A daily update by email. Science news, great photos, sky alerts.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Posts by
Bruce McClure
Moon, Venus, Mercury before daybreak
These next several days, watch as the waning crescent moon joins up with the planets Mercury and Venus, plus the star Spica, in the eastern predawn/dawn sky.
November 10, 2020
Watch for Mercury, below Venus, during the week of November 10
For northerly latitudes, the coming week presents a golden opportunity to spot the most elusive bright planet - Mercury - in the east before sunup. The waning crescent moon, and dazzling Venus, can help you find it.
November 9, 2020
Tips for watching N. Taurid meteors
The nominal peak of the North Taurid meteor shower is on the night of November 11-12, 2020.
November 8, 2020
Last quarter moon on November 8
Get up early, around the break of day tomorrow - November 8, 2020 - to see the moon at or near its last quarter phase, and assuming the position of the August noonday sun.
November 7, 2020
What is the Common Era?
If you encounter a date in the CE (Common Era) or BCE (Before Common Era) format, don't fret. They mean exactly the same thing as AD (anno Domini) and BC (before Christ).
November 6, 2020
Use the Big Dipper to find the Goat Star
You've heard of the "pointer" stars of the Big Dipper? They point to the North Star. You can also use bowl stars to find the star Capella, aka the Goat Star.
November 6, 2020
Jupiter gives us Pluto in 2020
The 3rd of this year's 3 Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions is coming up on November 12, 2020. Jupiter won't have another conjunction with Pluto again until February 4, 2033. And another one this good? Not for centuries.
November 4, 2020
See all 5 bright planets in November!
See all five bright planets in November 2020. Three of them - Mars, Jupiter and Saturn - pop out first thing at dusk and nightfall. The other two - Mercury and Venus - are found in the early morning sky.
November 2, 2020
Blue Moon and red Mars on Halloween
The full moon of October 31, 2020 is the second full moon of a calendar month and therefore carries the name Blue Moon. It's also the smallest full moon of 2020. And it's near red Mars! Watch for it.
October 30, 2020
Halloween ghost of the summer sun
At mid-northern latitudes, the star Arcturus sets about 2 hours after sunset around Halloween. It sets at the same point on the horizon as the summer sun. It's a Halloween ghost of the summer sun and an echo of long summer afternoons.
October 29, 2020
