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Monday, Dec. 12<\/strong> \u2013 Nineteen-day old, 80% illuminated waning gibbous moon rises about 8:15 p.m. out of the northeast with the spring constellation Cancer the crab.<\/p>\n Tuesday, Dec. 13<\/strong> \u2013 Start of Geminid Meteor Shower, now ranked as the best meteor shower of the year. The meteors for this shower radiate from the east to northeast, but can appear anywhere in the sky. Watch before the moon rises at about 9:20 p.m. A clear, unobstructed sky is needed with minimal light pollution (outdoor lights). Dress warmly and be patient. If you see a meteor every few minutes, you are doing well!<\/p>\n Wednesday, Dec. 14<\/strong> \u2013 Maximum of Geminid Meteor Shower occurs this morning after sunrise. Watch the sky this evening for more \u201cshooting stars\u201d in advance of the moon rising around 10:25 p.m.<\/p>\n Thursday, Dec. 15<\/strong> \u2013 The Big Dipper is very low in the north at about 6 p.m. Five hours later, the Big Dipper is \u201cstanding\u201d on its handle above the north-northeastern horizon. Orion is at its highest in the south around midnight.<\/p>\n Friday, Dec. 16<\/strong> \u2013 Last quarter moon occurs at 3:56 a.m. against the constellation Virgo the virgin. The moon will be in the southeastern sky at that time.<\/p>\n Saturday, Dec. 17<\/strong> \u2013 Venus becoming visible very low in southwestern sky. Use binoculars to find Venus in the bright twilight sky 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At that time, Venus will be about one binocular field-of-view above the horizon. This evening \u201cstar\u201d will become obvious in the southwest after the beginning of the new year.<\/p>\n Sunday, Dec. 18<\/strong> \u2013 Waning crescent moon above Spica, Virgo\u2019s brightest star, in predawn sky. Moon and Spica above southeastern horizon around 5 a.m. then in south-southeast at 6 a.m.<\/p>\n
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