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Astronomical Observing News (AON) Kickoff

Dec 21, 2011 07:13 PM

Astronomy World will be posting a weekly blog post that informs fellow observers upcoming interesting events in the sky. These will include:

Moon phases—It can be fun observing different phases of the moon (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—These do not come around very often, 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— 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. When these are included I will explain what they are.

This week's AON will be shortened this week. Usually it will take place on Tuesdays.