Posts by 

Bruce McClure

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!

Venus at its brightest in morning sky

Day side of Venus now covering more area - as seen in Earth's sky - than at any other time during this morning apparition. So Venus is now at its brightest!

Young moon, Mars and Aldebaran

Look soon after sunset! On April 27, the moon will quickly follow the sun below the western horizon.

First supermoon of 2017 on April 26

The April 26, 2017 supermoon isn't a full moon. Instead, it's a new moon. You won't see it, but Earth's oceans will feel its effects.

Moon and Venus before Sunday’s sunrise

Before sunrise on April 23, 2017, you'll find a beautiful pairing of the waning crescent moon and dazzling planet Venus in your eastern sky.

Last quarter moon rises around midnight

You might spot the moon after sunrise on April 18 or 19, high in the sky. Did you know a last quarter moon is slightly fainter than a first quarter moon? Learn why here.

Mars near Pleiades cluster at nightfall

Mars and the Pleiades star cluster will fit (or nearly fit) in the same binocular field all this week. They'll come closest together on the sky’s dome on or near April 22.

Moon and Saturn close in morning sky

From anywhere on Earth - on the mornings of April 15, 16 and 17 - Saturn will be a bright golden object near the waning gibbous moon. The red star Antares is also nearby.