What’s Goin’ on Up There?

The constellations Aries, Taurus, Orion, Gemini, Cancer, Leo prominently fill the southern sky in Winter. In November, Aries will be in the southeast sky at dusk. The constellations advance westward and the houses of the Zodiac advance by one each month. Taurus will be in the southeast sky in December, Gemini in January, cancer in February, and Leo in March. Mighty Orion will be accompanying them. Grab your binoculars and get outside to watch the celestial show. Winter’s long nights are the best time to stargaze.

Watch for these celestial happenings!

November: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter, 8 and 9; Leonid meteor shower, 17 and 18;

conjunction of Moon and Mars, 19; partial solar eclipse 25; Jupiter in Aries in southeast sky, early evening; Mars rises about 2 a.m. in Leo east sky; Orion rises 10 p.m.

December: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter, 5 and 6; total lunar eclipse, 10; Geminid meteor shower, 13 and 14; conjunction of  Mars and Moon, 17; Winter solstice, 22; Jupiter in Pisces; Mars rises about 1 a.m. in Leo east sky; Orion rises 9 p.m.

January: Quadrantid meteor shower, 3 and 4; conjunction of Moon and Jupiter, 2, 29/30; Mars rises about 1 a.m. in Leo; Orion rises 8 p.m.

February: Saturn rises about 2 a.m. in Virgo, easily visible in southern sky before dawn. Orion rises 6 p.m.

March: Mars at opposition (closest approach), 3; spring equinox, 20; Saturn rises about 11:30 p.m. in Virgo, visible until dawn in the southern sky

Follow the phases of the moon below:

New Moon
Best nighttime sky viewing is within 3-4 days of new moon.
Oct 26, 7:56 p.m.
Nov 25, 6:10 a.m.
Dec 24, 6:06 p.m.
Jan 23, 7:39 a.m.
Feb 21, 10:35 p.m.
Mar 22, 2:37 p.m.

First Quarter
Nov 2, 4:38 p.m.
Dec 2, 9:52 a.m.
Jan 1, 6:15 a.m.
Jan 31, 4:10 a.m.
Mar 1, 1:21 a.m.
Mar 30, 7:41 p.m.

Full Moon
Nov 10, 8:16 p.m.
Dec 10, 4:36 p.m.
Jan  9, 7:30 a.m.
Feb 7, 9:54 p.m.
Mar 8, 9:39 a.m.
Apr 6, 7:19 p.m.

Last Quarter
Nov 18, 3:09 p.m.
Dec 18, 12:48 a.m.
Jan 16, 9:08 a.m.
Feb 14, 5:04 p.m.
Mar 15, 1:25 a.m.
Apr 13, 10:50 p.m.