Moon and Mars

As the near full moon rises in the east at sunset on January 19, it is positioned just to the north of Mars. Even though Mars is the 3rd brightest object in the sky at that time, it is difficult to see next to the brilliant moon. Even so, give it a try. When you view these two celestial objects, you are looking at the surfaces of two worlds, one our satellite and the other a very different planet than ours. And keep in mind that Mars is 270 times farther than our familiar moon!

What about the 2nd brightest object? That's Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. It can be found above the southeastern horizon at about 8 pm.

Such is our view from Earth...

Take a cold meteor shower!

Friday morning before sunrise gives meteor observers a chance to see a relatively unknown shower, the Quadrantids. These seems to originate from near the tip of the handle of the Big Dipper which rises around midnight. Look after 1 am in the northeast. The rate for these may reach 120 per hour. However, this number includes the dimmer meteors and the ones that you don't catch streaking behind you. A better number would be 1/3 that top value, placing them around 40 per hour. Nevertheless, this is one of the year's best meteor events.

If you haven't become frozen by 5:00 a.m., you'll also see the crescent moon and brilliant Venus rising in the southeast. This promises to be an inspiring sight to start your day!

Such is the view from Earth...

Moon meets Mars

Our moon practically bumps into Mars tonight. Mars may be at its brightest, but the moon's light may easily overpower anything celestial that approaches too close to it. See if you can discern Mars' bright glow next to the moon. Binoculars may help. Remember, Mars' diameter is twice that of the moon, but it lies 230 times farther away. Therefore, it appears starlike, while the moon appears, well, moonlike.

On Christmas Eve, Mars reaches opposition relative to the Earth and sun. It will rise at sunset, and set at sunrise. In otherwords, it is on the opposite side of the sky as the sun.

Over the next month, Mars will be the brightest object (next to the moon) in our evening sky. Only Venus, which rises about 4:30 a.m., outshines the Red Planet.

Such is our view from Earth...

The Geminid Meteor Shower

With what may turn out to be the year's best meteor shower, the Geminids arrive on the nights of December 13 and 14. The shower emanates from the constellation Gemini which is nearly overhead at midnight this time of year. You don't need to face Gemini, though. In fact, the meteors that are away from that constellation give longer streakes. The ones seen in Gemini are falling more or less directly at you, and, therefore, appear relatively short.

Go outside after 9 pm on December 13 or 14. The best time to view them is after 1 am on the 14th. Even though there may be up to 120 per hour, an observer is much more likely to see 1/3 that number. That higher figure includes the ones you don't see behind you and the fainter meteors which are difficult to spot.

Dress warmly and good luck!

Such is our view from Earth...

Comet Holmes, a great binocular object

Bring out the binoculars for a great view of Comet Holmes. It is easily seen as a round fuzzy smudge just to the west of Alpha Persei (Mirfak). Over the next six weeks, although it remains in the general area, it slowly moves towards Algol. Try finding it on the next clear night using November's diagram.

Such is the view from Earth...

Comet Holmes continues to grow

Showing lasting power, Comet Holmes is slowly increasing its apparent diameter. Although it is slightly dimmer than it was a couple of weeks ago, its size is almost 1 degree across! This is best viewed through 10 x 50 binoculars as it passes Mirfak and the Alpha Persei Association of stars. Over the next few weeks, it heads towards Algol finally reaching that location on January 21. Keep watching to see if its continues expanding.

Such is our view from Earth...

Comet Holmes Endures

Surprising Comet Holmes continues to amaze skywatchers. Since becoming an easy naked eye object 2 weeks ago, it has double in diameter. This is particularly strange since Holmes is slowly moving away from both the Earth and the sun. Tonight, the comet lies about 151 million miles from us and 232 million from the sun. This places it past the orbit of the Earth and beyond the orbit of Mars into the region of the solar system called "the asteroid belt." Comets this far from the sun aren't normally seen as a naked eye object here on Earth. By the end of November, it increases its distance to 157 million miles from us and 241 million from the sun.

During the next week, go outside after 7 pm and look in the northeast. Between the bright star Capella, which is close to the horizon, and the "w" of Cassiopeia, which is 2/3 overhead, is Perseus. Look for 3 moderately bright "stars" forming a small triangle. The "star" on the left is not a star at all, but Comet Holmes.

Through household binoculars, the comet is easily seen to be a large round fuzzy patch. Watch nightly to see Holmes creep in front of the distant background stars!

Such is our view from Earth...