Assuming the weather smartens up a bit by the time this article runs, the Moon will be pointing out a few planets in the evening sky. At around 6 p.m. on December 2nd-3rd, it and Venus can be found paired up low in the south east; on the 4th-5th, the Moon will move on to Mars in the south. Then, on December 6th, it will sit about a thumbs-width to the right of Neptune at 6pm; ‘about’, because the distance between the two will change at about one Moon-diameter per hour. Unfortunately, Neptune, dim at the best of times, will be washed out by the Moon, meaning this is not a backyard event, unless your back yard has a telescope in it.
It’s currently pretty quiet out there, at least from a back yard viewpoint. Oh, there’s an infinite universe available if you’re a serious stargazer, but if you’re looking to be instantly amazed, not so much. However, just because the spectacular is on a brief hiatus, you shouldn’t ignore what’s there all the time. For example, before the Moon gets too bright over the next week , it’s a great time to strike up a visual conversation with the Pleiades (Seven Sisters) star cluster. The Pleiades can be found working their way up the eastern horizon until they’re high in the south at midnight. One of the closest star clusters to us, those with good vision can make out five or six of the stars using just their eyes; some have seen as many as 14 under perfect skies. How many can ‘you’ see? In reality, the cluster has over 1000 confirmed members in a space the size of three Full Moons, and is dominated by hot, blue juvenile stars 1/50th the age of our own Sun. The view through binoculars is outstanding.
Fifteen degrees below the Pleiades you will come across Taurus the Bull, with red giant Aldebaran at its heart, and an exploded star between its horns. Below that, the Great Hunter Orion stands on the horizon, his shoulder sporting his own red giant, Betelgeuse, the largest and most luminous star in the sky. In his belt, Orion hosts a massive star factory. Overhead, the ‘W’ of Cassiopeia stands out; what isn’t obvious is that all five stars major stars you see vary in brightness.
In the west, the constellation Cygnus hosts numerous gas clouds, Lyra contains a massive smoke ring, and Hercules, at least three balls of stars that defy explanation. This is the view from our back yard as we drift through space on our way to nowhere in particular. This is our neighbourhood on parade. Boring? Well, only if you’re not paying attention.
