December 2007 astronomy events

The first December evenings start with Jupiter very low in the southwest (for northern hemisphere viewers) as dark sets in. It's below the stars of Aquila. If you can find Jupiter, you won't have long to watch it before it sets. The planet watching resumes a little later with Mars rising in the southeast (for northern hemisphere observers). The red planet is halfway up Castor's leg in Gemini less than a degree from the star Mebsuta. After a few more hours (closer to midnight), Saturn rises. It's still at the belly of Leo the lion. Mars and Saturn are high in the sky when Venus rises in the pre-dawn hours. Venus is in Virgo not far from the star Spica.

By mid-month, Jupiter is lost in the sun's glare. Mars and Saturn are rising earlier. Venus is sinking below Spica but retains its usual prominence in the morning sky.

By late in the month, Mars is close to Castor's feet in Gemini. Venus is out of Virgo and enters the diamond of Libra on the 18th. Venus leaves the diamond on the 25th.

Mercury is not likely to be seen this month. It's a morning object in the sun's glare for the first half of December. It becomes an evening object for the second half of the month. For what it's worth, the messenger is at its farthest from the sun in the middle of the month.

Mars is at opposition on the 24th. That means it's up all night and as close as it will get to Earth for about two more years. If you have a telescope, now's the time to check out the red planet's surface features including the polar ice cap. The moon also occults Mars on the 24th. This hiding is visible from the far northern parts of North America and Europe.

The winter solstice is on the 22nd at 6:08.