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Posts by
Bruce McClure
Arc to Arcturus and spike Spica
Right now, the planets Venus and Jupiter - and the Big Dipper - can help you learn the sky mnemonic follow the arc to Arcturus and drive a spike to Spica.
August 2, 2018
Mars closest to Earth on July 30-31
Closer than since 2003! Even closer now than when we passed between Mars and the sun last Friday. How that can happen, and the prospects for viewing Mars through a telescope now.
July 30, 2018
Middle of an eclipse season on July 28
An eclipse season lasts a little over one lunar month and typically includes 1 solar and 1 lunar eclipse. In 1 out of 7 eclipse seasons, the 1st eclipse comes early. Then we can have 3 eclipses. Watch for a 3rd eclipse in this eclipse season, in August!
July 28, 2018
Century’s longest lunar eclipse July 27
It'll be the longest total lunar eclipse of this century, with Mars - at its brightest - nearby. Red moon, red Mars. It doesn't get any better than this.
July 27, 2018
Mars will reach opposition on July 27
Earth passes between Mars and the sun on July 27, 2018 (night of July 26 for the Americas). It's best time to see Mars in some 15 years. Plus ... the moon gets in on the act.
July 25, 2018
Moon north of star Antares on July 22
The name Antares derives from the Ancient Greek and means rival to Ares - that is, rival to Mars. Like Mars, Antares is red in color. Antares is sometimes brighter than Mars, it's no match for Mars now!
July 22, 2018
On July 20, the bright “star” near the moon is Jupiter
As soon as darkness falls on July 20, use to moon to find the dazzling king planet Jupiter nearby. Then, over the new few evenings, the moon can help you identify the bright red star Antares.
July 20, 2018
Moon, Jupiter and Spica on July 19
On July 19, 2018, as the setting sun closes the curtains on the day, and the darkening skies bring out a myriad of far-off suns, let the moon introduce you to a very special star.
July 19, 2018
Monday’s moon still near Venus
Last chance to see these 2 very bright objects relatively close. After Monday evening, the moon - pursuing its easterly orbit around Earth - will be waxing larger and shifting away from Venus.
July 16, 2018
Scared yet? 2018 has 2 Friday 13ths
This Friday the 13th comes exactly 13 weeks after 2018's first Friday the 13th, in April. The whats, whens and whys of Friday the 13th.
July 13, 2018
