Posts by 

Bruce McClure

Mercury below Venus on May mornings

Venus is the brightest object in the sky besides the sun and moon. Mercury is just below it throughout May 2017. Best seen from southerly latitudes!

Saturn nearly at its best for 2017

And it's near the moon in Friday night's sky. How to spot this planet and the nearby bright star Antares, in the constellation Scorpius.

Got 5 minutes? Learn to see Saturn

June, July and August are especially good months for viewing Saturn in 2017. But you can find Saturn in May, 2017, too, especially when the moon sweeps past on May 11, 12 and 13.

Moon near Antares and Saturn May 11-13

If they’re not up before your bedtime, watch this celestial threesome – the moon, Antares and Saturn – in the west before morning dawn.

Almost-full moon on May 9

The May 9 moon might look full to you, but full moon comes on May 10 at 21:42 UTC.

Where is the Milky Way on May evenings?

On May evenings, the disk of our Milky Way galaxy lies flat, nearly parallel to the plane of your horizon.

Moon, Jupiter, Spica on May 6-8

It'll be a grand procession of celestial bodies. The moon and Jupiter are the evening sky's brightest objects. The star Spica is also bright and noticeable nearby.

Keep watching Eta Aquarid meteors

Did you see any Eta Aquarid meteors Friday morning? Saturday morning is a good time to watch, too. Try around 3 a.m. until dawn. Be sure to get away from city lights.

Moon and Regulus on May 3 and 4

Bright Jupiter is nearby. From Australia and New Zealand, the moon occults or passes in front of Regulus on the evening of May 4, 2017.

Moon and Gemini stars on May 1

Stars near tonight's moon. Plus a skywatcher's trick to help you understand the moon's motion among the stars. And some tips on finding sky directions!