With the Moon out of the way, this is a great time to enjoy our \u2018Deep-sky tour\u2019. This month we\u2019re looking at objects in northern Orion.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday 2<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\n
A gorgeous 5%-lit waning crescent Moon graces the morning sky, rising above the southeast horizon shortly before 05:30 UT, as seen from the centre of the UK. Wait just over an hour and Mars will also appear, shining at mag. +1.6.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 3<\/h5>\n\n
Rounding off an excellent year of thin Moon spotting opportunities, after Mars rises this morning at around 06:20 UT, a 1%-lit Moon appears about 30 minutes later. Look for the pair low above the southeast horizon.<\/p>\n\n
Saturday 4<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\n
If you can grab a view of mag. \u20134.6 Venus this evening, the planet is currently showing a 25% phase and appears 40 arc seconds across. <\/p>\n\n
Monday 6<\/h5>\n\n
The Moon starts its parade of planets this evening. It\u2019s currently an 8%-lit waxing crescent located 5.8\u02da from mag. \u20134.6 Venus, visible low to the southwest shortly after sunset.<\/p>\n\n
Tuesday 7<\/h5>\n\n
This evening a 16%-lit waxing crescent Moon sits south of the mid-point between mag. \u20134.6 Venus and mag. +0.9 Saturn. Venus, Saturn and mag. \u20132.1 Jupiter currently appear in a line in the evening sky, with Saturn in the middle.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 8<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\n
This evening, the 22%-lit waxing lunar crescent sits south of the mid-point between Saturn and Jupiter.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday 9<\/h5>\n\n
Shortly after sunset the 35%-lit waxing crescent Moon lies 6.7\u02da southeast of bright Jupiter.<\/p>\n\n
Saturday 11<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\n
A medium to high power view of crater Albategnius around 20:30 UT will show that the shadow cast by its rim appears to reveal the profile of a face. This is the clair-obscur effect known as the Face in Albategnius.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday 12<\/h5>\n\n
As the lunar dawn breaks over crater Clavius this evening, the outer rims of two of its inner craterlets catch the Sun\u2019s rays early to form the Eyes of Clavius clair-obscur effect, best seen at 22:20 UT.<\/p>\n\n
Monday 13<\/h5>\n\n
The Geminid meteor shower reaches peak activity around 07:00 UT on 14 December, making tonight and tomorrow night ideal times to look for its meteors. A 78%-lit waxing gibbous Moon sets after 03:00 UT on the 14th, leaving three hours of dark sky.<\/p>\n\n
Tuesday 21<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\n
At 15:59 UT the centre of the Sun\u2019s disc will reach its lowest position in the sky relative to the stars, an instant in time called the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 22<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\n
The peak of the Ursid meteor shower occurs, but it\u2019s three days after full Moon, meaning the glare washes out the shower.<\/p>\n\n
Ganymede\u2019s shadow crosses Jupiter. The event ends at 18:45 UT.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 24<\/h5>\n\n
As the 78%-lit waning gibbous Moon passes its highest point in the morning sky due south, it occults Eta (\u03b7) Leonis. From the centre of the UK the star disappears at 04:16 UT, reappearing from behind the Moon\u2019s dark limb at 05:09 UT.<\/p>\n\n
Monday 27<\/h5>\n\n
Over a flat southeast horizon, take a look about 07:00 UT. Mag. +1.5 Mars appears 4.5\u02da from its rival in the sky, mag. +1.0 Antares (Alpha (\u03b1) Scorpii).<\/p>\n\n
Callisto\u2019s shadow transits Jupiter, 12:35 UT to 16:40 UT.<\/p>\n\n
Tuesday 28<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\n
Mercury and Venus are close above a flat southwest horizon, 40 minutes after sunset.<\/p>\n\n
You can observe Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus this evening. <\/p>\n\n
Friday 31<\/h5>\n\n
Mars remains near to its celestial contender, the red supergiant star Antares, literally the \u2018rival of Mars\u2019. This morning, set against a brightening dawn sky, the two are joined by an 8%-lit waning crescent Moon. <\/p>\n\n
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FAMILY STARGAZING<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Six planets are visible in the evening sky towards the month\u2019s end. With the aid of our \u2018All-sky chart\u2019 and \u2018The Planets\u2019, see how many your young observers can find. Jupiter and Saturn are the easiest; Mercury and Venus need a low, flat southwest horizon. Take care that the Sun has set properly before looking. Uranus and Neptunerequire binoculars. If you manage to see all six, pose the question \u2013 which one is missing from the line-up? The answer is Mars, which sits near the star Antares in the morning sky. www.bbc.co.uk\/cbeebies\/shows\/stargazing<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n
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