Astronomical Observing News (12/13 to 12/19)

This week's AON is pretty short, but there are also lots of clouds because it is winter. However, that just makes the few days of open sky way more valuable!

• Remember, the Geminid Meteor shower is going on until the 16th. Here is my article on the shower!

• Also, you can observe the Garradd comet until March. Here is my article on the comet!

• On Saturday the 17th, there is going to be a Mars Moon Conjunction. Watch the two objects pass behind each other!
• Also on Saturday, the moon will be a third quarter moon.

Here are some of the events I will be notifying you about over the course of this repeating feature:

• Moon Phases—It can be fun observing different phases of the moon. These are how much of the moon is dark. It is also fun observing the dark side.
• Conjunctions—Two bright objects in one field of view! This is when two or more astronomical objects are relatively close. Sometimes it is cool to see planets or bright stars pass by or behind the moon.
• Apogee or Perigee—This is when the moon is closest or furthest away from Earth. Not really for observing, but it can be interesting to view the moon when it is large and small.
• Meteor Showers—Easily observed by the naked eye or by binoculars.
• Comets—Not very often do these come around, but are amazing to watch.
• Lunar and Solar Eclipses—Mainly these are lunar eclipses, but if you get to see a solar eclipse you are very lucky!
• Solstices—This is when the Earth wobbles, or from Earth this is how the northernmost or southernmost point the sun is at. There are two each year. This is mainly for information.
• Equinoxes—This is when the earth is in the middle of its southernmost and northernmost position and it is equal. Again, this is mainly for knowledge.
• Declination of Moon—More information. This is when the moon's path around the Earth is slightly tilted up or down. The declination is the furthest up or down it will go.

There may be more to come. When these are included, I will explain what they are.