2017 Week 49: (December 3-9)

We are now full into December and the weeks of 2017 are waning.  The weather has been warm and the Winter constellations are on full display; I was able to see the complete Winter Hexagon.  The Moon will put on a great show this week, I hope you have the opportunity to check it out!

Date	Event
December 3	Mercury Stationary
December 3	Aldebaran 0.8°S of Moon
December 3	Full Moon (Supermoon)
December 8	Regulus 0.7°S of Moon

The week kicks off on Sunday with a Supermoon.  The media are already gearing up to get excited about the Full Moon phase coinciding with the its perigee.  This is great for public outreach as it generates an interest in astronomy.

The Moon orbits the Earth in an elliptical shape.  This means that at certain times during its orbit the Moon will be closer or further from the Earth.  A Supermoon is when the Moon is full near the point of closest approach to the Earth (perigee).  This term also applies to when there is a New Moon at perigee.  Since we are unable to view a New Moon not many people take interest.  There was an exception to this rule back in August.  The perigee was three days before the New Moon.  The New Moon passed between the Earth and the Sun and caused a total solar eclipse.  A total solar eclipse can only occur when the New Moon is close to perigee as it will appear larger than the Sun.

On the same night the Moon will pass slightly to the North of Alpha Tauri which is most commonly known as Aldebaran shining brightly in Taurus.  A few nights later the Moon will cruise through Leo and pass very close to its brightest star -- Regulus.

For more details on how to find the following objects, click on their related link.

I hope you have a pair of binoculars as there are some great sights in the sky.  Turn your binoculars to the Pleiades star cluster sitting a little over 10° NW of Aldebaran.  See if you can count the nine bright stars (seven sisters and two parents).  Also, check out the Orion Nebula.  You can see it without optical aid just below the belt of Orion.  Point your binoculars and prepare to be amazed.  The Andromeda Galaxy still makes for a great sight at this time of year.  Using the map provided on my blog entry, try to capture it with your glass.  Congratulations, you have managed to see 3 Messier objects from your own backyard, only another 107 to go.

Pleiades (M45), Orion Nebula (M42), Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

If you are patient enough you can try to find M35 sitting at the foot of Castor in Gemini.  It is one of my favourite open clusters to show off in the telescope.  It fits nicely into the field of view and it relatively easy to find.

Take some time off from Christmas shopping and look up to see what the sky has to offer!