Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Dec. 14 7:00 4:11

Sat., Dec. 15 7:01 4:12

Sun., Dec. 16 7:02 4:12

Mon., Dec. 17 7:02 4:12

Tues., Dec. 18 7:03 4:12

Wed., Dec. 19 7:03 4:13

Thurs., Dec. 20 7:04 4:13

Fri., Dec. 21 7:05 4:14

Tonight and throughout the weekend, you may see a shooting star speeding across the sky. The meteor may be a straggler, left over from the Geminid Meteor Shower that peaked last night.

Meteors can appear from anywhere in the night sky. Meteors are debris speeding through space that is headed towards the Earth. These particles, usually no bigger than a marble, will burn up as they enter the atmosphere and leave a momentary trail in the sky. Meteors enter our atmosphere day and night, but only the ones at night can be seen.

Planets

The red planet Mars is now low in the eastern sky a short time after sunset. Mars is in opposition, closer to the Earth than at any time in the past two years. The planet is 54 million miles away and glowing like a ruby in the zodiacal constellation Gemini.

The ringed planet Saturn rises in the east late at night. Saturn is in the zodiacal constellation Leo, not far from the principal star Regulus.

Venus is low in the southeastern sky before sunrise. Venus is the brightest celestial object in the morning sky.

Crescent Moon

The crescent moon appears tonight after sunset in the southwestern sky, in the zodiacal constellation Capricornus.

M.A.L.