Skywatchers are encouraged to head out after dark this weekend for a special gathering of our nearest celestial neighbors. Starting on Saturday night (12/28/08), a tiny waxing crescent moon will be found low above the western horizon shortly after sunset.  Use the bright planet Jupiter as your guide. The moon will sit just a few [...]

The annual Ursid Meteor Shower is approaching, and it’s timing couldn’t be better. It peaks on the night of December 22nd -> 23rd, a night on which a tiny, waning crescent moon will rise around 3:30am. The small phase of the moon, along with its late arrival will frame the meteor shower under the darkest [...]