The Ten Acre Observatory
The unpredictable weather for the last of October into the first half of November forced us to cancel the 2022 Halloween Star Party on the 29th of October (cloudy skies) and the event for the Noble area home educators group, on the 11th of November, as snow/sleet/rain moved in to the area during the afternoon and evening. Assuming the weather cooperates, December will have several events that will keep us amused, including, two major meteor showers along with Winter Solstice followed by the first full day of winter.
Highlights: On the 1st, the Moon passes to the south of Neptune and then to the south of Jupiter. The Moon will pass north of Uranus on the 5th and then to the north of Mars on the 7th as Full Moon occurs. Mars reaches opposition on the 8th. The Moon reaches apogee at 252,195 miles on the 11th. Sometime between 2 and 4am on the morning of the 14th we will have the peak of the Geminid Meteor Shower. Lunar 3rd quarter is on the 16th. Mercury reaches its highest point in the western sky on the 21st which also happens to be the date of the Winter Solstice. The first full day of Winter is on the 22nd with Mars passing to the south of Aldebaran (Taurus alpha) on that same day. New Moon is on the 23rd which Means good viewing conditions for the peak of the Ursid Meteor Shower early that morning. On the 24th the Moon reaches perigee (222,619 miles), and then passes Venus and Mercury (in that order).On the 26th the Moon passes to the south of Saturn and on the 28th it passes to the south of Neptune. Mercury passes to the north of Venus, the moon passes to the south of Jupiter and New Moon aoo occur on the 29th.
Comets: Comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF) is now transiting from Draco, thru Camelopardalis and into Cepheus as it is projected to shine between magnitude 8 and 9. It will be passing to the south and east of Polaris between the 20th and 25th.
Planetary Report: The Sun is moving from Scorpius into Sagittarius as are Mercury and Venus. Mars is in Taurus and is still in retrograde. Jupiter is in Pisces. Saturn is in Capricorn. Uranus is between Pisces and Taurus. Neptune is in Pisces. And Pluto is still in the eastern reaches of Sagittarius.
Meteors: The Geminids will peak on the 14th (2 days before 3rd qtr.) at a projected rate of 150 per hour and the Ursids will peak on the 23rd at a projected 10 per hour under a New Moon.
Planet Visibility: Morning hours: Mars and Uranus. Mid-night hours: Mars, Jupiter, Uranus Neptune. Evening hours: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn and Pluto.
Dark Sky Viewing for December starts on the 13th and continues thru the 26th. The Odyssey Astronomy Club viewing session is scheduled for the 17th.
For information about Ten Acre Observatory, the Odyssey Astronomy Club or to schedule an appointment to come out for a visit, contact us at 405-899-4016, message us on Facebook or email us at: orion2c@yahoo.com. A visit to the observatory and the use of our equipment and
