Today:
A waxing Gibbous Moon nearly obscures its celestial company with its glow. Barely visible, to the Moon’s left, lie the cluster of stars known as the Seven Sisters, or the Pleiades. Naturally, tonight would not be the ideal night for viewing, but next week, without the Moon, they’re a curious patch of stars, seen even better through binoculars.
Friday:
The Geminid Meteor shower reaches its peak overnight tonight. This is the year’s most prolific displays of meteors, producing over 100 shooting stars per hour. The Twins of Gemini are one third of the way up by 9 o’clock, which means the meteors are active all night long. However, viewing this year will be hampered by the nearly Full Moon, 90 percent illuminated, within the constellation Taurus, the Bull.
Saturday:
At sunset, Taurus rises in the east-northeast. As it rises high into the sky throughout the evening, thee bright objects will accompany it. The largest and brightest in the Moon, which will be full tomorrow. Between the horns of the bull is Jupiter, still near opposition and very bright. Last comes Taurus own star, Aldebaran, just to the right of Jupiter.