TONIGHT FORDECEMBER 15, 2012
Courtesy U.S. Naval Observatory
If you’re outside in early evening on December 15, look westward for the waxing crescent moon. The planet Mars is just below it. Also, starting at mid-evening, continue to watch for the Geminid meteor shower. Although this shower probably peaked between late night December 13 and during the few hours after midnight on December 14, it shouldn’t be done with yet. Don’t be surprised if you catch a dozen or so meteors per hour late tonight. And here’s another cool sky object you can see on these December evenings: the Northern Cross. More about it below.
Planet Mars (bright object on left) and very young moon on December 14, 2012. On December 15, the moon will be above Mars, as shown on the chart at the top of this post. This beautiful photo is from EarthSky Facebook friend Eileen Claffey. Thank you, Eileen!
Mars is disappearing now into the sunset glare. But – because its orbit is only one step outward from Earth’s, and its orbital speed is similar to ours – Mars always takes a long time to disappear behind the sun. It’ll still be visible in January, low in the sunset sky. You’ll see Mars near the moon again on January 12 and January 13.
Now onto the Northern Cross. It isn’t as famous as its counterpart – the Southern Cross – visible from the Southern Hemisphere. But the Northern Cross also looks like a cross, and it’s pretty easy to spot. It’s a large, noticeable star pattern.
Full article: EarthSky.org / Tonight