OBSERVING December 2020 The Hyades cluster - a Caldwell object (see page 20) - is resplendently high during the month of December. The red giant Aldebaran isn't a member of the cluster but is instead a foreground star. NASA / ESA / STSCI 2 EVENING: Algol shines at minimum brightness for roughly two hours centered at 10:54 p.m. PST. See page 50 for a table of Algol minima. 3 EVENING: Look toward the eastern horizon to see the waning gibbous Moon hanging some 4° lower right of Pollux. 5 EVENING: Algol shines at minimum brightness for roughly two hours centered at 10:43 p.m. EST. 10 MORNING: A slender waning lunar crescent and Spica rise together in the east-southeast, with less than 7° separating the pair. 12 DAWN: An even thinner lunar crescent pairs up with Venus. The Moon occults the planet for viewers in western North America, Alaska, and Hawai'i, while those elsewhere will nevertheless enjoy the delightful sight of the two celestial bodies separated by mere degrees (see page 50). 13 NIGHT: The Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak in the evening - there will be no interference from the Moon, so take advantage of the long dark night to enjoy this event (see page 14). conjunction, around 6′ apart. Take in this sight before the duo sets in the southwest. 23 EVENING: The waxing gibbous Moon and Mars are in Pisces, some 5½° separating the pair. 14 NEW MOON (11:17 AM EST) A total solar eclipse will be visible along a narrow path that crosses Chile and Argentina. Much of South America will see partial phases (see page 48). 25 EVENING: Algol shines at minimum brightness for roughly two hours centered at 9:27 p.m. PST. 16 DUSK: Low above the 26 EVENING: A fatter Moon is about halfway between the Hyades and the Pleiades. southwestern horizon a two-dayold lunar crescent hangs 5° below the very close pairing of Jupiter and Saturn. Catch this delightful sight before the Moon sets. 21 THE LONGEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR in the Northern Hemisphere. Winter begins at the solstice at 5:02 a.m. EST (12:02 a.m. PST). 21 DUSK: Jupiter and Saturn are in a very rare, remarkably close 28 EVENING: Algol shines at minimum brightness for roughly two hours centered at 9:16 p.m. EST. 30 EVENING: The waning gibbous Moon has come full circle from the start of the month and is back in Gemini, about 4° right or lower right of Pollux. - DIANA HANNIKAINEN sk yandtelescope.org * DECEMBER 2 02 0 41http://www.skyandtelescope.org