Posts by

Bruce McClure

Moon, Venus and Mars after sunset

The dazzling “star” near the waxing moon on January 1, 2 and 3, 2017 is Venus. Mars is also along a line between the sunset location on your horizon and the moon and Venus in your sky.

Bruce McClure

January 1, 2017

Venus and Mars point to Neptune

Imaginary line from Venus through Mars points to Neptune in late December 2016. Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova in this part of sky, too, but - like Neptune - requires optical aid.

Bruce McClure

December 29, 2016

Moon, Antares and Saturn December 26

Up for a sky watching challenge? Try catching the star Antares and the planet Saturn near the old waning crescent moon before sunrise on December 26 and 27.

Bruce McClure

December 25, 2016

Moon, Jupiter, Spica on December 23

Waning crescent moon meets dazzling planet Jupiter and Spica, brightest star in Virgo the Maiden, before dawn. Watch Spica and Jupiter near each other throughout 2017.

Bruce McClure

December 22, 2016

Cold Moon near Geminid meteor peak

Tonight is probably the peak night for the 2016 Geminids, and tonight is also a full supermoon. Curses, fist-shaking at the moon, predicted. Diehards: look for bright Jupiter before dawn.

Bruce McClure

December 13, 2016

Moon hits Bull’s-eye December 12

On December 12, 2016 the almost-full moon occults, or covers over, the star Aldebaran. Meanwhile, this moon is obscuring the annual Geminid meteor shower.

Bruce McClure

December 12, 2016

How to find Geminids’ radiant point

Best way to find the Geminid radiant is to see a meteor! Then trace its path backwards. But what if you want to find the radiant before seeing a meteor?

Bruce McClure

Deborah Byrd

December 11, 2016

Moon and Neptune on December 6

The December 6, 2016 moon is near Neptune, only solar system planet not visible at all from Earth to the unaided eye. From some places, the moon will pass in front of Neptune today. Charts and info here.

Bruce McClure

December 6, 2016

Moon and Mars closest December 4

Use the moon to find Mars this evening. Bright Venus is nearby. Then watch day by day, as the gap on our sky's dome between Mars and Venus shrinks.

Bruce McClure

December 4, 2016

Don’t miss moon and Venus December 2

The moon and Venus are the 2 brightest nighttime objects. Think photo opportunity! Or just enjoy these 2 beauties in the west early Friday evening.

Bruce McClure

December 2, 2016

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.