Home Archived Monthly Sky 2002: Feb Mar Apr May June July Oct Nov
Notice: Many thanks to Nancy for creating the Monthy Sky for the last several years. Due to other respsonsibilites, she will no longer be able to do this. Hold on, keep your fingers crossed, and lets hope someone else will put pen to paper, nose to grindstone, and take up the cause. (Any volunteers?)
Moon:
New Moon: December 4th.
First Quarter: December 11th.
Full Moon: December 19th.
Last Quarter: December 27th.
Planets:
Mercury: is at -0.7 to –0.1 magnitude & low in the southwest at dusk the 2nd half of December.
Saturn: is at +0.4 magnitude and rises early evening in the east. It will be at opposition to the Sun on Dec. 17, & will be visible from dusk to dawn. It is tilted at 27 degrees & at its closest, biggest & brightest of the year!
Jupiter: is at –2.3 to –2.5 magnitude and rises about 9:30 p.m. It lies between Leo & Cancer.
Venus: is at –4.7 to –4.5 magnitude and rises with Mars 3 hrs before sunrise.
Mars: is at +1.7 to +1.5. On December 1st look for Venus, Mars & the crescent Moon before dawn.
The best nights in December to view without interference from the moon’s light are between December 1st to December 7th and at the end from the 29th to the 31st.
Highlights:
A total eclipse of the Sun will be on December 4th in most parts of Africa and Australia.
The longest night of the year is December 21st @ 2013 EST. Known as the Winter Solstice.
Look at the beautiful planets Saturn, Jupiter & Venus all month long. Astronomy & Sky & Telescope magazines have much to read about viewing them this month.
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The Big Picture:
Take a look at an all-sky map that has the Messier objects on it:
1. 6 hr R.A.(passes overhead at mid-night this time of year): OPEN CLUSTERS in the sky north to south (Auriga to Pupis).
2. 12 hr R.A.(passes overhead in spring; in eastern sky before daybreak at this time of year): GALAXIES in the sky north to south (Ursa Major to Virgo).
3. 18 hr R.A.( passes overhead in summer; in western sky after sunset at this time of year): GLOBULR CLUSTERS in the sky north to south (Cygnus to Saggitarius).
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Sky & Telescope Dec. 2002 issue has 2 articles on light pollution from pages 33-43. Very good information. Try & take time to read. 35 to 50 percent of light pollution comes from streetlights alone.
Club Stargaze:
The December stargaze is Friday, December 6, 2002. This will be at Mt. Pisgah trailhead parking area. The turn off the parkway is at about mile 407. Drive up to the 2nd parking lot, which is a paved & at a dead end. You can check the Yahoo group for AstroAsheville or call Tim Barnwell @ 251-0040 or John Chappell @ 251-1933 x17 (before 5:00) or 667-9268 (after 5:00) for a go/no-go decision.
Blue Ridge Parkway Information Line is 828-298-0398 and go to Road Conditions on the menu.
Club Meeting:
The club meeting is the first Thursday of every month, at 6 p.m. at Sim’s Group located at
230 Short Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC.
Happy Starwatching! Dress Warm!
Taken from Sky & Telescope Magazine, Astronomy Magazine & Astronomical Calendar 2002.