DECEMBER 2008 SKY CALENDAR
Return to Sky Watch
December 1: Venus and Jupiter come within 2 degrees of each other. These are the two brightest planets in our sky. A stunning pair! You will want to venture out to see them!
December 2:
PLANETARIUM LECTURE: Small objects, Big Impacts. 7:00 p.m.
Asteroid expert Dr. Julie Ziffer presents a program about asteroid impacts. How likely are they? What would happen on Earth should such an impact occur?
December 4: First Quarter Moon
December 5: Mars in Solar Conjunction. The red planet is on the far side of the Sun with respect to Earth. Mars will not be visible at all this month?
December 6:
CD RELEASE CONCERT: Carolyn Currie. 8:30 p.m.
The planetarium's first CD release concert. New age/celtic-cosmic/haunting singer Carolyn Currie performs selections from her new CD "Waves of Silence," as well as selections from previous CD's such as "Kiss of Ghosts," and "Standing Stones." See our web-site
December 11: The Moon is 0.81 degrees to the NNW of the Pleiades star cluster. Mind you, the Moon is almost full and therefore will be quite bright on this night. The Pleiades will be difficult to observe while so close to the Moon. But, what the heaven, give it a try.
December 12: Full Moon!
December 13: The Geminid meteor shower peaks. While not as active as the Perseids, the Geminid shower can put on a lovely show: perfect, late autumn fireworks.
December 14:
PLANETARIUM LECTURE: World Sky Mythology. 4:00 p.m.
Not content merely with the Greco-Roman stories of epic adventure, forlorn lovers, vicious punishments, and decades-long odysseys? Well, we invite you to attend the World Sky Mythology program where you'll enjoy Egyptian, Babylonian, Native American and other stories of, well, epic adventure, forlorn lovers, vicious punishments, and decades-long odysseys.
December 17: Moon is 2.2 degrees SSW of Regulus, the brightest star in Leo the Lion.
December 18: The Sun "moves into" Sagittarius.
December 18: The Moon will be 5.4 degrees NNW of Saturn.
December 20: PLANETARIUM CELESTIAL POETRY READING "Solstice Dawning"
7:00 p.m.
Local writers read works (theirs and others) about the night sky, nature, Universe, and mythology. Listen to poetry under the stars.
December 21: Winter Solstice 7:04 a.m.
December 25: Christmas Day. Equinox on Mars.
December 29: Moon 0.63 degrees south of Jupiter.
December 31: WE START OUR INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY CELEBRATIONS WITH AN ALL-NIGHT OPENING! See our new shows, attend night sky tours, look through telescopes, and immerse yourself in all things astronomical. 8:00 p.m. December 31 -
6:00 a.m. January 1. Admission by donation.
Happy Holidays one and all!
December 1: Venus and Jupiter come within 2 degrees of each other. These are the two brightest planets in our sky. A stunning pair! You will want to venture out to see them!
December 2:
PLANETARIUM LECTURE: Small objects, Big Impacts. 7:00 p.m.
Asteroid expert Dr. Julie Ziffer presents a program about asteroid impacts. How likely are they? What would happen on Earth should such an impact occur?
December 4: First Quarter Moon
December 5: Mars in Solar Conjunction. The red planet is on the far side of the Sun with respect to Earth. Mars will not be visible at all this month?
December 6:
CD RELEASE CONCERT: Carolyn Currie. 8:30 p.m.
The planetarium's first CD release concert. New age/celtic-cosmic/haunting singer Carolyn Currie performs selections from her new CD "Waves of Silence," as well as selections from previous CD's such as "Kiss of Ghosts," and "Standing Stones." See our web-site
December 11: The Moon is 0.81 degrees to the NNW of the Pleiades star cluster. Mind you, the Moon is almost full and therefore will be quite bright on this night. The Pleiades will be difficult to observe while so close to the Moon. But, what the heaven, give it a try.
December 12: Full Moon!
December 13: The Geminid meteor shower peaks. While not as active as the Perseids, the Geminid shower can put on a lovely show: perfect, late autumn fireworks.
December 14:
PLANETARIUM LECTURE: World Sky Mythology. 4:00 p.m.
Not content merely with the Greco-Roman stories of epic adventure, forlorn lovers, vicious punishments, and decades-long odysseys? Well, we invite you to attend the World Sky Mythology program where you'll enjoy Egyptian, Babylonian, Native American and other stories of, well, epic adventure, forlorn lovers, vicious punishments, and decades-long odysseys.
December 17: Moon is 2.2 degrees SSW of Regulus, the brightest star in Leo the Lion.
December 18: The Sun "moves into" Sagittarius.
December 18: The Moon will be 5.4 degrees NNW of Saturn.
December 20: PLANETARIUM CELESTIAL POETRY READING "Solstice Dawning"
7:00 p.m.
Local writers read works (theirs and others) about the night sky, nature, Universe, and mythology. Listen to poetry under the stars.
December 21: Winter Solstice 7:04 a.m.
December 25: Christmas Day. Equinox on Mars.
December 29: Moon 0.63 degrees south of Jupiter.
December 31: WE START OUR INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY CELEBRATIONS WITH AN ALL-NIGHT OPENING! See our new shows, attend night sky tours, look through telescopes, and immerse yourself in all things astronomical. 8:00 p.m. December 31 -
6:00 a.m. January 1. Admission by donation.
Happy Holidays one and all!