Discussion: What's Up This Week - Dec 20 - ...

[Fraser]

SUMMARY: Season's Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Take the time from your busy holiday schedule to relax with some astronomy. There will be three minor meteor showers this week: the Coma Berenicids, Delta Arietid and the Ursids. The waxing Moon will become our guide as we locate historic variable Mira. Mare Humorum and Crater Gassendi are great features to learn about on the lunar surface and we'll travel to the outer arm of our own galaxy to study a multiple star system - Sigma Orionis. Not enough? Then I have a special and very challenging surprise for you on Christmas Day! Although the Moon goes full during this seven-day period, those who are just beginning with new telescopes will appreciate its presence as an easy "pointer" to Saturn. So lift your eyes toward the heavens and enjoy the bright stars of Winter...

Because here's what's up!

View full article

What do you think about this story? Post your comments below.

[TheAstronomer]

Anyone needing a locator map showing the Moon and Mira can find it at:

http://theastronomer.tripod.com/fraser/mira.gif

Happy viewing!

~Tammy

[Marion]

I'd love to see the bright stars of winter, but unfortunately I live in an area where all you see is cloud, fog or rain in the winter. Very occasionally there's a clear or partly clear evening but usually I don't see a thing. I've found that the best time to look at the winter stars is at about 4 a.m. in late summer, before sunrise. The weather is clear and mild, and I get a fabulous view!