Posts by

Bruce McClure

Don’t miss the moon, Venus, Mars triangle

As soon as darkness falls on January 31, 2017, see a beautiful triangle - the moon, Venus and Mars - gracing the evening sky. Look west!

Bruce McClure

January 31, 2017

Moon, Venus, First Point of Aries

It's where the sun resides on the March equinox, used to define the sky's prime meridian. Tonight's moon and planets can help you visualize this point on our sky's dome.

Bruce McClure

January 30, 2017

Moon below Venus on January 29

Beginning on January 29, 2017, watch as the waxing crescent moon sweeps past Venus and then Mars on the sky's dome. You'll find them all in the west at nightfall.

Bruce McClure

January 29, 2017

See all 5 bright planets tonight

The parade of 5 bright planets visible in Earth's sky tonight will conclude with the moon and Mercury rising as darkness ebbs into dawn Wednesday morning.

Bruce McClure

January 24, 2017

Don’t miss moon and Saturn January 24

The January 24, 2017 waning crescent moon will be very near Saturn. Look east before dawn. And don't be surprised if you spot Mercury, too!

Bruce McClure

January 23, 2017

Moon, Antares, Saturn January 23-25

Given clear skies, it should be easy to use the waning crescent moon to locate the star Antares and planet Saturn before dawn’s first light on January 23.

Bruce McClure

January 22, 2017

Moon, Jupiter, Spica January 18-20 before dawn

The moon is sweeping past Jupiter now, but - if you know where to look - you can find all 5 bright planets on these January 2017 nights. Charts and info here.

Bruce McClure

January 19, 2017

Spot elusive Mercury before dawn

On January 19, 2017, Mercury will be at greatest elongation. That means it's now nearly at its farthest from the sun on our sky's dome for this morning apparition. Watch for it!

Bruce McClure

January 17, 2017

Venus milestone on January 12

At greatest elongation on January 12, 2017, Venus is as far from the sun as it will be for this evening apparition.

Bruce McClure

January 12, 2017

When does full moon happen for you?

Full moon is January 12, 2017 at 11:34 UTC. Fullest moon for you on the night of January 11 if you're in the Americas, and on January 12 if you're in Asia. In between? Either night will do!

Bruce McClure

January 11, 2017

Bruce McClure

Bruce McClure served as lead writer for EarthSky's popular Tonight pages from 2004 to 2021, when he opted for a much-deserved retirement. You can still find many articles at EarthSky.org that were originally written by Bruce, and which the EarthSky editors still update regularly. Bruce is a sundial aficionado, whose love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and sailing in the North Atlantic, where he earned his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. He also wrote and hosted public astronomy programs and planetarium programs in and around his home in upstate New York. Bruce he loves cycles of all kinds! You can still find many articles at EarthSky with Bruce's name on them, exploring the various, intricate cycles of the sky.