Jupiter med Mars
SaturnSpecial Not-to-Miss Sky Sights in December.  2020

Evening Skies: Jupiter and Saturn  continue their remarkable dance low in southwestern skies. At dusk, on Monday, December 21st, the two gas giants will appear to merge into a single, marvelous starpoint, a sight not beheld in almost 400 years!

Mars continues to draw casual attention high in southern skies, brightly glowing and glowering ominously among the faint stars of Pisces. Closest approach ended early to mid October, but the "Red Planet" continues to offer its clear, orange blaze throughout the night. Earth will not again keep such close company with Mars until 2035.

Morning Skies: Venus, at a diminishing angular distance from the Sun, still rules the predawn southeastern skies, descending towards the familiar grouping of constellation Scorpius.  Before dawn on Saturday, December 12th, a waning crescent Moon pairs delightfully with Venus before dawn
Moon Phases

New Moon: Monday, December 14th
 
First Quarter: Monday, December 21st

Full Moon: Tuesday, December 29th

Last Quarter:  Monday, December 7th

Note: A total solar eclipse will darken the day in South American nations Chile and Argentina on Monday, December 14th. Check on-line for further live feed of this remarkable event, heralding Aroostook County's total solar eclipse experience in April 8th, 2024, weather permitting. 


The Winter Solstice trumpets the start of a new season, Aroostook's coldest, on Monday, December 21st, the shortest day of the year.



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"Call the Astronomer" @ the Science Center (207) 488-5451 for any further details on these and other super sky sights at the close of 2020. 

Happy Holidays, everyone!