Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th December 2024
Take a look towards the south around
You'll notice that the crescent shape, where sunlight is illuminating the lunar surface, is on the right. This tells us that our celestial neighbour is "waxing", or in other words, heading towards the Full Moon on 15th December. After the Full Moon, it is said to be "waning" and because of the angles between us, the Sun and Moon, the illuminated part will then appear to be on the left side of the Moon's surface.
If you look towards the south again at
When you've finished observing them, a magnitude -2.0 Jupiter will be rising above the horizon to the east north east. Above and to the left of Jupiter is the bright star Capella, while to the right you can find the Pleiades open cluster of stars. All of these targets are easy "naked eye" objects, so no telescope or binoculars required!
My next astronomy talk and star party at the Ham Hill Visitor Centre is taking place at
www.starsoversomerset.com
Screenshots courtesy of Stellarium
Copyright Adrian Dening and Radio Ninesprings 2024
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