Before dawn on Wednesday, let the moon introduce you to Saturn - in fact, to all five visible planets. Antares is the bright star near Wednesday morning's moon.

Bruce McClure

February 2, 2016

Quarter moon, Earth perihelion, neap tide

The last quarter moon combined with Earth at perihelion should usher in a gentle neap tide, with little variation between high and low tide over the next few days.

Bruce McClure

January 2, 2016

First full moon on Christmas since 1977

Moon phases recur on or near same calendar dates every 19 years. Why didn't we in North America have a full moon on Christmas Day 19 years ago?

Bruce McClure

December 25, 2015

Northern Crown near dusk and dawn

The Northern Crown - a C-shaped group of stars - glitters above the western horizon after dusk, and above the eastern horizon before dawn.

Bruce McClure

November 16, 2015

Another chance! Moon and Saturn

Lighted portion of tonight's crescent moon points to the sunset. Saturn is near the moon. Binoculars can help you glimpse it as it leaves the evening sky.

Bruce McClure

November 13, 2015

Try for moon and Saturn after sunset

These next several days might be your last chance to view Saturn in the evening sky this year. On November 30, Saturn will transition into the morning sky.

Bruce McClure

November 12, 2015

October 13 to November 11: Longest lunar month of 2015

Longest lunar month of 2015 starts with the October 13 new moon and ends with the November 11 new moon. Learn about the varying lengths of lunar months, here.

Bruce McClure

October 12, 2015

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.