Posts by 

Bruce McClure

Close and far moons in 2019

This year's farthest apogee (moon's farthest monthly point) comes on February 5, 2019, and the closest perigee (moon's closest monthly point) occurs some 2 weeks later, on February 19, 2019.

Moon near Castor and Pollux on January 19

On the night of January 19, 2019, let the full-looking waxing gibbous moon guide your eye to the bright Gemini stars, Castor and Pollux!

Moon sweeps past Mars January 11 to 13

Mars is the bright object near the moon these next several evenings. You'll find Mars much fainter than six months ago, but still as bright as our sky's brightest stars.

Sun in zodiac constellations, 2019

Sun-entry dates to zodiac constellations in 2019, using boundaries for constellations set by the International Astronomical Union in the 1930s.

Sun’s entry into zodiac signs, 2019

Astrology and astronomy differ. In some systems of astrology, zodiac signs remain fixed relative to seasonal markers, such as the equinox and solstice points.

After sunset, go young moon hunting

On January 7, the moon will be near the sunset. You'll need an unobstructed horizons. Bring binoculars, just in case. On January 8 and 9, the slim crescent will be farther from the sunset. All very beautiful.

Partial solar eclipse January 5-6, 2019

The new moon falling on January 6, 2019 at 1:28 UTC will pass between the Earth and sun, to stage a partial eclipse of the sun, visible from Asia.

Lengths of lunar months in 2019

The longest lunar month in 2019 starts with the new moon on January 6, and concludes with the new moon on February 4. Its duration will be 29 days 19 hours and 35 minutes.

Watch Venus and Jupiter before sunup

Venus reaches a milestone - greatest elongation - on January 6, 2019. At that time, this gem of a planet rises a maximum time before sunrise. Don't miss the Jupiter/Venus conjunction on January 22.

As the year turns, watch the moon sweep past 3 planets

The last morning of 2018 and 1st mornings of 2019 will feature a dazzling line-up of the moon and 3 planets. Here are tips on how to see the moon sweep past Venus, Jupiter and Mercury. Great start to the New Year!