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Posts by
Bruce McClure
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
Penumbral eclipse of the moon on January 10
Enjoy the first full moon of the year on January 10, 2020, This full moon will undergo a penumbral lunar eclipse. At mid-eclipse, you will find a slight shading - Earth's penumbral shadow - on one side of the moon.
January 9, 2020
Quadrantid meteors on night of January 3-4
The expected peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower in 2020 comes late evening January 3 until dawn January 4, with the predawn hours on January 4 being your best bet.
January 2, 2020
Middle of eclipse season December 30
The annular solar eclipse on December 26, 2019, happened some 4 days before the middle of the eclipse season, which came to pass on December 30, 2019.
December 30, 2019
Don’t miss the young moon and Venus
Think photo opportunity this weekend (December 27-29) as the brightest and 2nd-brightest sky objects - the moon and Venus - beautify the evening twilight shortly after sunset.
December 27, 2019
Annular solar eclipse on December 26
The 3rd and final solar eclipse of the year falls on December 26. It's 2019's only annular or "ring" eclipse, taking place when the moon is near apogee, or its farthest point in orbit around Earth. At mid-eclipse, a ring of the sun's surface will appear around the moon.
December 25, 2019
How can I see Southern Cross now?
In late December and early January, those at the latitude of Hawaii - or further south - can see the Southern Cross before sunrise.
December 24, 2019
2019’s farthest perigee on December 18
Notice ... the year's most distant perigee comes when the moon is near last quarter phase.
December 18, 2019
Moon and Regulus on December 16
On December 16, 2019, you might catch the moon and star Regulus - Heart of the Lion in the constellation Leo - ascending in the east before your bedtime.
December 16, 2019
