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Posts by
Bruce McClure
The cycle of close and far Martian oppositions
Like so much in the sky, very close approaches of Mars happen in cycles. Become a Mars guru, here.
October 6, 2020
Moon and Mars rendezvous in early October
The moon and Mars are near each other on the sky's dome on the night of October 2, 2020. From South America, the moon will appear to occult (cover over) Mars.
October 2, 2020
Watch for Mars and the full Harvest Moon
The Northern Hemisphere's Harvest Moon is always the full moon falling the closest to the autumnal equinox. It's coming up in 2020 on October 1 or 2. What's more, this Harvest Moon will be near Mars!
September 30, 2020
Moon and Fomalhaut in late September
These next several nights - September 28, 29 and 30 - 2020 - use the bright waxing gibbous moon to find the bright star Fomalhaut, the Autumn Star.
September 28, 2020
Spectacular Venus-Regulus conjunction in early October!
Brilliant Venus, in and of itself, is worth getting up for, but the tantalizingly close encounter of Venus with the bright star Regulus won't happen again for another 8 years. Start watching them now!
September 28, 2020
Mercury in the west after sunset
Live in the Southern Hemisphere? Take advantage of your golden opportunity to view Mercury in the evening sky now. Live in the Northern Hemisphere? Give Mercury a try after sunset! You might see it.
September 26, 2020
The moon, Jupiter and Saturn September 23 to 26
On September 23, 24, 25 and 26, 2020, the moon can guide your eye to the solar system's 2 biggest gas giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn.
September 23, 2020
Equinox sun is over Earth’s equator
At an equinox, and for several days before and after, the midday sun is straight up at noon seen from Earth's equator. At this equinox, the sun is crossing the celestial equator, moving from north to south.
September 22, 2020
Young moon after sunset September 18 to 21
After sunset these next several days - September 18, 19, 20 and 21, 2020 - watch for the waxing crescent moon's return to the evening sky.
September 18, 2020
Moon and Venus adorn the morning September 13 to 15
On the mornings of September 13, 14 and 15, 2020, look for the waning crescent moon and the dazzling planet Venus in the eastern sky before sunrise.
September 12, 2020
