Posts by 

Bruce McClure

See this week’s Venus-Saturn pairing

On December 10 and 11, 2019, look in the sunset direction - close to the sunset point on the horizon, not long after the sun goes down - for the the conjunction of 2 bright planets, Venus and Saturn. Some will also spot Jupiter nearby.

Mars and Zubenelgenubi close this week

This next week, before dawn, watch as the red planet Mars sweeps by the Zubenelgenubi, the constellation Libra's alpha star.

December 3-4 brings 2019’s farthest 1st quarter moon

Although the moon reached its farthest point from Earth for the year last February 5, the year's farthest 1st quarter moon comes on December 3-4, 2019.

Keep an eye out for Mercury and Mars

The first week or even two of December 2019 should provide a good view of Mercury in the morning sky for northerly latitudes. The planet is bottommost on a line with the red planet Mars and bright star Spica, in the east before sunup.

Sun enters Ophiuchus on November 30

The sun always passes in front of Ophiuchus from about November 30 to December 18. That's why some call Ophiuchus an unofficial member of the zodiac.

Let the moon show you Saturn

At nightfall these next few evenings - November 29 and 30, 2019 - use the waxing crescent moon to find the planet Saturn.

Young moon and 3 planets after sunset

Check out the picturesque scene in the west after sunset on November 27, 28 and 29, 2019. The young moon will sweep past 3 planets - Venus, Jupiter and Saturn - wow!

Spectacular! Don’t miss Venus and Jupiter

The sky's 2 brightest planets - Venus and Jupiter - will meet for conjunction on November 24, 2019. Watch them draw closer in the west after sunset this weekend!

Old moon to pass Spica, Mars, Mercury

Enjoy the morning spectacle over the next several mornings, as the waning crescent moon sweeps by the star Spica and then the planets Mars and Mercury.

Moon and Leo from midnight until dawn

Get up before dawn to see the moon near Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion, on November 19 and 20, 2019.