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Winter sky offers grand evening views

By Larry Mahon

Agate Ridge Observatory

Having just passed the winter solstice on Dec. 21, our daylight hours have begun to increase. On Jan. 1, there were 8 hours, 48 minutes between sunrise and sunset, and by the end of the month, there will be 9 hours, 46 minutes between them, which is an increase of 58 minutes. This is a good start for 2012.

Our winter sky contains the year's grandest early-evening views of the year. As the sky darkens, the planet Venus is the very bright object (-4.0 magnitude) that is about 18 to 20 degrees high in the southwest sky. A 3-day-old waxing crescent moon will come close to Venus about an hour after sunset on Jan. 25.

About halfway up the southeast sky is the planet Jupiter. It is not quite as bright, but is still brighter than most stars at -2.6 magnitude.

Mars rises at 10:09 p.m. and transits at 4:40 a.m. the next morning. This is a great planet for late night or early morning viewing.

Saturn rises above the eastern horizon at 1:30 a.m. and by 4 a.m. it will be 23 degrees above the southeastern horizon and 37 1/2 degrees behind Mars, which is approaching the meridian.

The best time to view the planet with a telescope is just before morning twilight. Its ring system is tilted 15 degrees to our line of sight, so viewing the divisions in the ring system is possible.

The constellation of Orion contains several of the brightest stars in the heavens and is one of the easiest star patterns to recognize.

Rising early in the evening, it is high in the southeastern sky by 8 p.m. Below the belt of the mighty hunter hangs the sword which contains the Great Orion Nebula (M-42).

From a dark location, the nebula can be seen without optical aid. With binoculars or a telescope, a great cloud of glowing gas can be seen with dark lanes and several stars in it. It is believed that stars are forming in this cloud. It is a magnificent sight and deserves more than a quick glance.

The Earth comes to perihelion, its closest approach to the sun for the year, around 4 p.m. PST on Jan. 4. The two bodies will be 1.67 percent closer together than their average.

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and a great and prosperous New Year! Happy viewing.