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Posts by
Bruce McClure
Watch for Mars and Venus this week
How to see the close conjunction of the dazzling planet Venus and faint red planet Mars in the sunrise direction, throughout the first week of October 2017.
October 4, 2017
Moon’s near side is its dark side
Believe it or not, the moon's near side is its dark side, thanks to a collection of low-lying lunar plains, solidified remnants of ancient seas of molten magma.
September 30, 2017
First quarter moon points to Saturn
The 1st quarter moon happens at the instant of east quadrature, when the moon is 90 degrees east of the sun. The September 27-28 1st quarter moon points to Saturn.
September 27, 2017
Moon next to Saturn on September 26, 2017
Look for Saturn near the moon on September 26. Would Saturn really float on water? Facts here.
September 26, 2017
Moon, Antares, Saturn on September 25, 2017
On September 25 and 26 , 2017, watch for the waxing crescent moon to swing to the north of the star Antares, then to the north of the planet Saturn.
September 25, 2017
Equinox sun rises due east, sets due west
At the equinox, the sun rises due east and sets due west, seen from around the globe. How can you visualize it? Illustrations here.
September 22, 2017
Equinox moon, Jupiter September 21-23, 2017
It'll be tough to catch the crescent moon and Jupiter from northerly latitudes. Much easier from southerly latitudes! Watch for these bright worlds, west after sunset.
September 21, 2017
Occultations galore September 18 2017
It'll be the first time since 2008 that the moon occults - or covers over - 3 planets in less than a day. For good measure, the moon also occults a bright star, Regulus.
September 17, 2017
Moon, Venus on September 17 and 18, 2017
They're the sky's 2 brightest objects after the sun, and they're near each other Monday and Tuesday mornings.
September 16, 2017
Mercury/Mars conjunction September 16, 2017
No matter where you live worldwide, an imaginary line from the moon through brilliant Venus - in the east before dawn - points in the general direction of Mercury and Mars.
September 15, 2017
