The Ursid meteor shower peaks around the December solstice each year. In 2019, the moon is in a waning phase and shouldn’t intrude on the shower’s peak, around the mornings of December 21 and 22. But start watching now! You might catch some. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/ursid-meteor-shower-active-around-wintter-sosltic…
Tag: Big Dipper
Moon and Regulus on December 16
On December 16, 2019, you might catch the moon and star Regulus – Heart of the Lion in the constellation Leo – ascending in the east before your bedtime. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-couples-up-with-regulus…
Use Big Dipper to find star Capella
You’ve heard of the “pointer” stars of the Big Dipper? They point to the North Star. You can also use them to find the star Capella, aka the Goat Star. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/big-dipper-bowl-points-to-bright-star-capella…
Aurora over Esjan
November aurora over Iceland. Source: https://earthsky.org/todays-image/aurora-iceland-big-dipper-photo…
Watch for the moon and the Twins
The 2 bright stars near the moon on November 15 and 16 are Castor and Pollux in the constellation Gemini, legendary Twins of sky mythology. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-in-gemini-near-castor-and-pollux…
Sky Bear comes to Earth in November
Every year, the Big Dipper (Great Bear) descends to its lowest point in the sky on November evenings. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/big-dipper-aka-sky-bear-comes-to-earth-on-november-evenings…
Halloween ghost of the summer sun
At mid-northern latitudes, Arcturus sets about 2 hours after sunset around Halloween, at the same point on the horizon as the summer sun. It’s a Halloween ghost of the summer sun and an echo of long summer afternoons. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/arcturus-ghost-of-the-summer-sun…
Orange Arcturus sparkles after sunset
On October evenings, look for brilliant Arcturus in the west, flashing in colors. Follow the curve in the Big Dipper’s handle to this yellow-orange star. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/arcturus-shines-in-the-west-after-sunset…
Meet Delta Cephei, a famous variable star
Delta Cephei doubles in brightness on a precise schedule, every 5.36 days. Its brightness changes are tied to its absolute brightness. Learn how this star helped establish the known distance scale of our galaxy and universe. Source: https://earthsky.org/brightest-stars/delta-cephei-the-kings-famous-variable-star…
How to see the Great Square of Pegasus
It’s easy! The Great Square of Pegasus consists of 4 stars of nearly equal brightness in a large square pattern. Once you find it, you can star-hop to other well-known sights in the sky. Source: https://earthsky.org/favorite-star-patterns/great-square-of-pegasus-wings-in-sept-equinox…