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Posts by
Bruce McClure
See Mercury beneath Venus at dusk
February 2020 presents a good evening showing of Mercury for the Northern Hemisphere. This world will appear over the sunset point on the horizon as dusk gives way to nightfall for the next few weeks.
February 1, 2020
How to locate planet Uranus
Tonight's waxing crescent moon shines close to Uranus. Learn how to locate the planet, using tonight's moon location and these links to charts and other info.
January 31, 2020
Star-hop from Orion to Planet 9
For several years now, astronomers have been searching for a hypothetical Planet 9 in the starry sky. You can use the constellation Orion to show you approximately where they're looking.
January 30, 2020
Close and far moons of 2020
In periods of four years, lunar perigees and apogees fall on the same, or nearly the same, calendar dates.
January 27, 2020
Lengths of lunar months 2020
In 2020, the longest lunar month happens between the February 23 and March 24 new moons; and the shortest one between the August 19 to September 17 new moons.
January 26, 2020
Don’t miss young moon and Venus after sunset (Neptune’s there, too)
After sunset on January 26, 27 and 28, 2020, watch for the young moon and planet Venus in the west at dusk and nightfall. Use the lit side of the moon to locate Mercury, the innermost planet. If you have a telescope, use Venus to locate the Neptune, the farthest planet.
January 26, 2020
Will you spot the moon and Jupiter?
The lighted portion of the waning crescent moon will point toward Jupiter on the mornings January 21 and 22, 2020. Look east! You'll enjoy spotting Jupiter so near the sunrise.
January 20, 2020
See moon, Mars, Antares – and maybe Jupiter – before sunrise
Use the moon to find red Mars and red Antares before dawn on January 19, 20 and 21, 2020. Then, after Mars and Antares have faded from view, but before the sun comes up, try to catch the king planet Jupiter near the sunrise horizon.
January 18, 2020
Mars is closest to Earth on January 12, 2025
On January 15-16, 2025, Earth sweeps closer to Mars than it will again for another 6 years. Mars is closest to Earth comes a few days earlier on January 12.
January 12, 2020
See a daytime moon after sunrise
Look west after sunrise for the daytime moon. You'll find it in a blue sky. Watch for the moon in the next few mornings. It'll be higher in the west after each successive sunrise.
January 11, 2020
