At any moment of the day, countless awe-inspiring celestial events are unfolding in the sky. With a universe of options, it can be hard to pin down what to observe, what to look into or what to commemorate. Each week, this column will take a peek at what’s happening in the sky and in the world of astronomy in general to provide a quick list of highlights that can jump start your own explorations.

UPCOMING: Feb. 9-16th
Feb. 15 - 1st Anniversary of “Fireball” Near Chelyabinsk, Russia

-----------------------Week of February 2nd-8th-------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Large Magellanic Cloud
For southern hemisphere observers, the Large Magellanic Cloud is a must-see that spills out into both the Dorado and Mensa constellations. Loaded with globular clusters, planetary nebulae, open clusters and impressive stars, the LMC is a satellite galaxy to our own Milky Way and is in fact the third closest galaxy to ours. Its irregular shape is attributed to gravitational interactions caused by its proximity to the Milky Way and perhaps the nearby Small Magellanic Cloud. Although it is rich with celestial wonders, one of the LMC’s most intriguing features is the Tarantula Nebula. This exceptional nebula is the largest and most active star-forming region in our Local Group of galaxies. Observations by NASA’s Hubble Telescope found the Tarantula Nebula teems with more than 800,000 stars and protostars. This nebula was also the location of Supernova 1987A, which lit up on February 23rd, 1987. Visible to the naked eye, this historic event was the closest supernova observed since the invention of the telescope.

Auriga Constellation
This month is an ideal time to catch the Auriga Constellation riding across the northern hemisphere’s winter sky. Known as The Charioteer, Auriga is visible from 90° North to 40° South and plays host to the galactic anticenter, which is the point in the sky that is directly opposite the center of the Milky Way. One of its most prominent features is Capella, which is the sixth brightest star in the sky. Known as the Goat Star, Capella actually consists of two sets of binary pairs. The first is a set of large, bright yellow giants that are very close together and the second is a pair of small red dwarfs. A triangle-shaped asterism lies near the brilliant star system, and its trio of stars is often referred to as “The Kids.” Auriga also is home to Epsilon Aurigae, an eclipsing binary star system that dims for about two years every 27 years. The main component in the system is a supergiant but the nature of its companion has long been a subject of debate. Beyond its star offerings, Auriga has many deep sky treasures including the Messier 36, Messier 37 and Messier 38 open star clusters and the Flaming Star Nebula. This beautiful emission/reflection nebula is about five lightyears across and surrounds AE Aurigae - a brilliant blue star characterized as a “runaway star“ due to the fact that it is moving at a higher velocity than its neighboring stars. It is believed that AE Aurigae was ejected when two binary systems collided.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Feb. 7 - 15th Anniversary of Stardust Probe Launch
On February 7th, 1999, NASA launched the Stardust probe on its historic mission to collect dust samples from Comet Wild 2 and return them to Earth for further study. On the way to its rendezvous with Wild 2, the probe first flew by Asteroid Annefrank for observations in November 2002. On January 2nd, 2004, it reached its primary target as it passed through the gas and dust around Comet Wild 2, collecting samples and capturing close-up images. The priceless samples were stored in a capsule that detached from the spacecraft in January 2006 and plummeted back to Earth to a parachute-assisted landing in Utah on January 15th. The samples Stardust returned yielded extraordinary discoveries. For example, they contained materials that showed the comet’s rocky core is actually dominated by particles that formed close to our Sun rather than around other stars as previously thought. The samples also contained glycine - an amino acid that is a “fundamental building block of life,“ which supports theories that elements of life are prevalent in space (http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news115.html). Beyond the samples, the images Stardust collected of Comet Wild 2 were also mind-blowing in that they revealed an unexpected dramatic landscape on the nucleus that consisted of deep holes, cliffs, hills and spiky pinnacles. Following the successful completion of its primary mission, Stardust was put into hibernation until a second mission was approved. Dubbed Stardust NExT, this mission would take the probe on to Comet Tempel 1, which was previously visited by the Deep Impact probe in 2005. Stardust NExT documented the changes Tempel 1’s nucleus had undergone following its brush with the Sun and it expanded on the mapping Deep Impact had done of the comet’s surface. The Stardust probe was retired in March 2011.

Feb. 8 - 45th Anniversary of Allende Meteorite Fall
In the wee hours of February 8th, 1969, a brilliant fireball lit up the sky over northern Mexico. As it neared the village of Pueblito de Allende in Mexico’s state of Chihuahua, the blazing meteor exploded, raining stony debris over an approximately 200-square-mile strewnfield or dispersal area. The display and its related sonic booms were spectacular, but it would be the rock shards themselves that would truly stun the scientific community. Often referred to as “the best-studied meteorite in history” due in large part to the thousands of samples that were collected, the Allende meteorite is a rare carbonaceous chondrite-type of meteorite that is composed largely of “pre-planetary” material. Once researchers delved inside the fragments, they found unusual white particles now classified as calcium-aluminum inclusions. These CAIs, which have been determined to be some of the first solids in the solar system, continue to give scientists a unique peek into our solar system’s formative years. Since the meteorite fell decades ago, at least nine new minerals have been identified in the priceless samples, including the most recently discovered panguite that was identified by scientists at Caltech in 2012.



-----------------------Week of January 26th-31st -------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Canis Major Constellation
Visible from 60° North to 90° South, the Canis Major Constellation is an excellent stargazing target this time of year in both hemispheres. Channeling the Great Dog it represents, Canis Major bounds through the night sky on the heels of the Lepus or “Hare” constellation and stands as the faithful companion to Orion the Hunter, whose belt can be used to easily locate it. Although the constellation contains a number of notable sights, its most prominent celestial treasure is Sirius - the brightest star in the sky. Often called the Dog Star due to its prime spot in the Canis Major Constellation, Sirius is actually a binary star system. Sirius A is the domineering white main sequence star that has inspired centuries of lore and held cultural significance since ancient times. Sirius B, which was not discovered until 1862, is the dim white dwarf star that humbly orbits its brilliant companion. The constellation is also home to Adhara, a luminous blue star that has the unique honor of being the brightest source of ultraviolet light in Earth’s sky after the Sun. In addition to its stellar offerings, Canis Major also has its share of deep sky wonders including the Messier 41 open cluster that has about 100 stars; the colliding spiral galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163; and the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy, which has a large number of red giant stars. Discovered in 2003, this deep sky object, which is thought to be the nearest galaxy to our solar system, is apparently being pulled apart by the Milky Way’s gravitational field.

Jan 31 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation
On January 31st, Mercury will be in a prime position for early evening viewing in a range of latitudes from 58° North to 81° South.. Because it is always so close to the Sun, Mercury is usually lost in its glare. But on this day the inner planet will set more than an hour behind the Sun as it reaches its greatest eastern elongation or furthest point to the east of the Sun. A clear western horizon is essential for viewing Mercury, which can be found in the Aquarius constellation during the event. While Mercury will be visible as a bright point of light to the naked eye, a small telescope will be useful for those wanting to discover more details.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Jan. 26 - 65th Anniversary of the 200-inch Hale Telescope’s First Light
On January 26th, 1949, the long-awaited Hale Telescope at California’s Palomar Observatory had its official first light when famed astronomer Edwin Powell Hubble trained the giant scope on deep sky object NGC 2261 (Hubble‘s Variable Nebula). Usually a ceremonial affair, the “first light” marks the first use of a telescope to take an astronomical image after construction is complete. Conceived and designed by astronomer George Ellery Hale, this astounding 200-inch reflecting telescope reigned as the largest effective optical telescope until 1993, when Hawaii’s Keck 1 telescope debuted. Hale put his grand plans for the Palomar Observatory in motion when he obtained funding for the project in 1928. Corning Glass Works was commissioned to cast the primary mirror, which was made out of Pyrex. This then-new borosilicate glass material was chosen because of its low expansion factor, which limited image distortion caused by glass expansion and contraction resulting from temperature changes. After being transported from New York to California by a slow-moving train, the mirror entered the polishing stage at Caltech, which took more than a decade due in part to work stoppage during World War II. Hale passed away in 1938 without seeing his vision realized, but his monumental achievement lives on as an astronomical workhorse scouring the skies to this day.

Jan. 31 - 56th Anniversary of Explorer 1 Launch
On January 31st, 1958, the United States entered a new era of space exploration when it made its first successful satellite launch. Spurred by the Soviet Union’s Sputnik achievements, the U.S. fast-tracked its efforts to launch a spacecraft. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory was tasked with designing and building the satellite, while the U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency was responsible for modifying a rocket to carry the payload. JPL had Explorer 1 ready to go in less than three months. In addition to being the first U.S. satellite, Explorer 1 also was the first spacecraft to detect what would become known as the Van Allen radiation belts. Explorer 1 made its final transmission on May 23, 1958, shortly before its batteries ran out. It continued to silently orbit Earth, racking up more than 58,000 orbits, before reentering the planet’s atmosphere in March 1970 and burning up.

NASA Remembers a Trio of Tragedies
Around this time every year, NASA has a Day of Remembrance to mark the solemn anniversaries of three of its most stunning tragedies.
The first occurred on January 27th, 1967, during a pre-flight test for the Apollo 1 mission that had been slated to launch February 21st, 1967. Astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee were inside the spacecraft as it sat on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. Several hours and several problems into their launch rehearsal, a fire suddenly broke out in the spacecraft. Within seconds the command module ruptured, the fire quickly spread and the cabin filled with a lethal mixture of carbon monoxide, smoke and fumes. Because the hatch door could only open inward, a feat made impossible by the higher than atmospheric pressure inside the cabin, escape attempts were thwarted, and all three astronauts perished. The resulting investigation led to more than one thousand changes in the command module and launch pad procedures. These included a new quick-operating hatch design that opened outward; the use of an oxygen-nitrogen mix rather than 100 percent oxygen in the launch pad cabin atmosphere; a major reduction in flammable materials inside the spacecraft; and the addition of protective insulation to plumbing and wiring. Manned Apollo flights resumed in October 1968.
Almost 20 years after the Apollo 1 fire, tragedy rocked NASA again when on Jan. 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger broke up after liftoff killing all seven crew members. On launch day, media hype was high and classrooms across the nation were tuned in to watch live as the first teacher-astronaut, Christa McAuliffe, journeyed into space on the inaugural mission in NASA’s new Teacher in Space program. Just 73 seconds after liftoff, spectators at the site and around the world watched in horror as the shuttle broke up in a plume of smoke and fire. Although the crew cabin did make it through the initial break-up in tact, the impact from its high-velocity freefall into the Atlantic Ocean was too intense to survive. In addition to McAuliffe, those killed were Francis “Dick” Scobee, Ron McNair, Michael Smith, Ellison Onizuka, Judy Resnik and Greg Jarvis. Subsequent investigations concluded that the disaster was caused when an O-ring seal on the right solid rocket booster failed in the unusually frigid temperatures on the morning of the launch. NASA once again rallied to right the failures the accident tragically revealed, and the shuttle program resumed in 1988. The shuttle program once again faced disaster on February 1, 2003, when the Space Shuttle Columbia was returning from a 16-day micro-gravity research mission. During re-entry, the shuttle disintegrated leaving its seven crew members dead and a debris field spread across Texas and Louisiana. Those who perished in the devastating accident were U.S. astronauts Rick Husband, Willie McCool, Michael Anderson, Kalpana Chawla, David Brown and Laurel Clark; and Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon. Prior to the disaster, Columbia had a triumphant history that started in 1981 when it became the first Space Shuttle launched in the program. On January 16, 2003, Columbia set off on its 28th mission. During liftoff, a piece of insulating foam on the external fuel tank broke off and hit the shuttle’s left wing. Investigations following the accident determined that when the wayward foam struck the wing it caused a breach in the thermal protection that ultimately led to the spacecraft’s destruction. Although these horrifying incidents occurred decades apart, they share a common legacy. Each was more than a grim reminder of the dangers of space exploration. Instead, they galvanized NASA to improve and drove the agency to persevere in its noble pursuit to discover the secrets of space.

-----------------------Week of January 18th-25th -------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Perseus Constellation
Named for the hero in Greek mythology that slew Medusa, the Perseus Constellation stands strong in the northern hemisphere sky in January. Occupying an area of 615 square degrees, the constellation is visible in latitudes ranging from 90° North to 35° South and is famous for being the radiant point for the prolific Perseids meteor shower that peaks each year in mid-August. One of the most notable stars in the constellation is Algol, which is also known as the Demon Star. This famous star, which actually is a three-star system, is the first eclipsing binary star to be discovered. Observations of the stars that make up Algol eventually led to some major shake-ups in stellar evolution theory. Other sights to behold in Perseus are the Alpha Persei Cluster, which contains the constellation’s brightest star - the supergiant Mirfak (aka Alpha Persei); The Double Cluster, which is a pair of open clusters with a combined apparent magnitude of 4.3 that can be seen with the naked eye; and the Little Dumbell Nebula, a planetary nebula that is one of the most difficult objects to observe in the Messier catalogue.

Jan. 22nd and Jan. 25th - Conjunction Junction
As the new year gets under way, the Moon’s conjunction schedule is already filling. Fresh off the heels of a January 14th conjunction with Jupiter, the Moon is slated to make two other notable planetary pairings by teaming up in the morning sky with Mars on January 22nd and Saturn on January 25th. On the 22nd, the moon and Mars will lie in the constellation Virgo and will be visible at a broad range of latitudes from 64° North to 75° South. On the 25th, a thinner crescent Moon will appear with Saturn in the constellation Libra and will be visible at latitudes ranging from 53° North to 86° South. In both instances, the Moon and its mate will not be close enough to observe together in a telescope‘s field of view. But both will easily be seen by the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars.

WHAT TO LOOK INTO:
Jan. 20th - European Space Agency’s Rosetta Awakens
In deep space hibernation since 2011, the European Space Agency’s potentially groundbreaking Rosetta spacecraft is about to get a much-anticipated wake-up call. Since its launch in March 2004, Rosetta has been on a long journey toward a historic rendezvous with Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Before entering hibernation in June 2011, Rosetta had already racked up a number of successes including executing several gravity assists from Earth and one from Mars to put itself on the correct course to reach the comet. Before its snooze, it also was able to make observations during close fly-bys of two asteroids - 2867 Steins and 21 Lutetia. Now, if all goes according to plan when it awakens, Rosetta will be the first spacecraft to orbit the nucleus of a comet and be the first to land a probe on one of these icy wonders. The wake-up process will automatically begin at 10 a.m. UT (Universal Time) on January 20th. The first step Rosetta will take will be to warm up its navigation instruments in order to position its antenna toward Earth to start the communication process. Currently, Rosetta is set to meet up with its target, Comet C-G, in August, at which point it will begin intense data-gathering and start mapping the surface to select a landing spot for the Philae probe, which will be released in November. After sending the probe, Rosetta will continue to accompany the comet and gather unprecedented data through the comet’s perihelion. To generate additional excitement for the mission, the ESA is currently having a contest in which entrants send in videos depicting their versions of a “Wake up, Rosetta!” shout-out. For more information on the contest, which has a January 20th deadline, visit http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Wake_up_Rosetta.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Jan. 20th - Buzz Aldrin’s Birthday
On January 20th, Buzz Aldrin, the famed American astronaut who was the second person to step foot on the Moon, will celebrate his 84th birthday. Selected in 1963 by NASA to join its third group of astronauts, Aldrin’s first journey into space occurred on the Gemini 12 mission in November 1966. During this mission, he set a new record for extravehicular activity (EVA) when he spent more than five total hours working outside the spacecraft over the course of three spacewalks. Although this was a heady achievement, his most famous accomplishment occurred during the awe-inspiring Apollo 11 mission. During this mission, Aldrin served as the lunar module pilot for the first manned lunar landing. and became the second person to step foot on the Moon right after his mission partner Neil Armstrong on July 21, 1969. Prior to his career with NASA, Aldrin served in the Air Force as a fighter pilot during the Korean War and earned a doctorate in astronautics from MIT. He remains an active proponent of space exploration with a particular emphasis on a manned mission to Mars.

Jan 25th - 10th Anniversary of Opportunity’s Mars Landing
On January 25th, 2004, the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity landed on the Red Planet to embark on a three-month geological mission. Ten years later, it is still going strong. Opportunity was launched in July 2003 just weeks after its companion rover - Spirit. It touched down on the Meridiani Planum and quickly settled in a crater that would later be named “Eagle Crater.” As scientists had hoped, Opportunity found hematite, which is a mineral associated with the presence of water. In its travels, it also discovered the presence of jarosite, a mineral that only forms in acidic water, which can be very hospitable to microbes. Opportunity has since gone on to study rock layers in areas that include the Endurance Crater and Victoria Crater. The analysis of these layers suggests the long-ago presence of flowing water and even a salty body of water. Opportunity is currently exploring the Endeavor crater.

-----------------------Week of January 11th-18th -------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Jan. 15th-16th - 2014’s Smallest Full Moon
Although the Full Moon usually dominates the sky, this month’s will be slightly less imposing because it will occur when the Moon is at its most distant point from Earth. This micro-moon, which is formally known as apogee full moon, will be the smallest Full Moon of 2014. Oddly enough, it is sandwiched between the year’s two closest New Moons, the first of which occurred on January 1st and the second of which happens on January 30th.

Taurus Constellation
Like the creature that cultures across the centuries have associated it with, the Taurus or “bull” constellation is a bold dominating presence. And this month, Taurus is perfectly positioned for easy observation as it faces off with Orion in the northern hemisphere’s winter sky. One of the Zodiac constellations, Taurus occupies an area of 797 square degrees and is home to a number of stunning celestial treasures. The brightest star in the constellation is Aldebaran, which is an orange giant star often characterized as the bull’s glaring bloodshot eye. Also known as Alpha Tauri, this star is the 13th brightest in the sky and can be used to easily locate two of the constellation’s other famous features - the Pleiades and Hyades open star clusters. Known as the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades is defined by its brilliant blue stars and has a rich lore that goes back thousands of years. The Hyades is the nearest open star cluster to the Sun and includes the four red giant stars that form the asterism representing the bull’s head. In addition to its famous stars and star clusters, the Taurus constellation is also home to some beautiful deep sky objects such as the Crab Nebula, which earned the distinct honor of being the first object to be entered into the Messier catalogue. The Crab Nebula is an expanding remnant of a supernova that was documented by astronomers in several cultures in 1054.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
January 1610 - Jupiter’s Galilean Moons Discovered
In early January 1610, the famous physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei made a series of discoveries that would reverberate throughout the science community of his time and challenge the period’s standing theory that everything orbits around Earth. After making significant improvements to the telescope, Galileo observed a series of bodies near Jupiter that he at first thought were fixed stars. After several nights of observation, he noticed their positions changed and, at one point, one of them even disappeared. Based on these facts, he determined these bodies were not fixed but were indeed orbiting Jupiter itself. Now known as the Galilean moons, the four celestial objects that Galileo discovered were Jupiter’s largest moons - Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. The significance of Galileo’s discovery was not just that it presented a formidable challenge to the geocentric model. It also proved the value of the telescope itself by demonstrating the limitations of the unaided eye when searching the heavens and revealing there are so many stunning sights to behold through the eyepiece of a telescope.

Jan. 12 - Anniversary of Deep Impact Launch
On January 12, 2005, NASA’s Deep Impact space probe embarked on a unique mission to study Comet Tempel 1. Other spacecrafts had flown by comets, but Deep Impact was destined to do what these others had not - impact a comet’s surface. To achieve this goal, the probe had two distinct sections. The primary was a structure designed to flyby and image the comet. As Deep Impact neared Comet Tempel 1 in July 2005, it released its secondary section - a “smart” impactor that positioned itself on a collision course with the approaching comet. This component of the probe relayed images of the comet’s nucleus back to the flyby module until mere seconds before it impacted the comet’s surface. The material ejected from the comet by the impact was observed by the primary section of the probe, Europe’s Rosetta spacecraft which was in a good observation position, large orbiting scopes like the Hubble telescope and countless Earth-bound telescopes used by professional and amateur astronomers. Following this successful mission, which allowed the first close inspection of a comet’s interior, the surviving portion of the probe went on to fly by Comet Hartley 2 in 2010 and even captured images of Comet ISON before being declared lost in August 2013 due to a software issue.

-----------------------Week of January 5th-11th -------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Orion Whether you’re observing on a blustery winter night in the northern hemisphere or a balmy summer evening in the southern hemisphere, the Orion constellation is a perfect target for leisurely stargazing. Known as The Hunter, the night sky icon is one of the most recognizable and easiest to find due in large part to the three stars - Mintaka, Alnilam and Anita - that make up the well-known asterism, or star pattern, that is Orion’s Belt. Beyond the belt, the main component of the constellation is an expansive rectangle of four bright stars. These include two of the brightest in the sky - the blue super giant Rigel and the red super giant Betelgeuse. The constellation is also home to the stunning Orion Nebula, which is located in the sword that branches off Orion’s Belt. In keeping with the mythology behind the constellation’s namesake, other nearby constellations include Canis Major and Canis Minor, representing Orion’s loyal hunting dogs, and Taurus and Lepus, which are seen to represent the bull and the rabbit that are Orion’s prey. Although Orion can be easily enjoyed with the unaided eye, a pair of binoculars or a small telescope can reveal awe-inspiring details of the many objects that call the constellation home.

Eridanus
Known as the river due to its sweeping presence in the night sky, the Eridanus constellation is a mostly southern hemisphere apparition that is rich with celestial treasures. One of the original 48 constellations charted by Ptolemy in the 2nd century, Eridanus fills a huge area of sky measuring 1,138 square degrees and is observable from latitudes between -90° and +32°. The constellation’s brightest star is Achernar, which means “The End of the River.” Only visible in the southern hemisphere, Achernar is an impressive blue star that has a very flat shape due to it fast rotation. The constellation is also home to dozens of other stunning stars, around 200 inspiring galaxies, the largest discovered supervoid and notable deep sky objects like the Witch Head Nebula. This vast constellation is often associated with the story of Phaeton in Greek mythology, who lost control while driving the chariot of the Sun and was struck down by Zeus as disaster loomed.

WHAT TO LOOK INTO:
Spot the Station
The International Space Station has been a fixture in the sky since its first component was launched in 1998, and it is a bright sight to behold if you can catch it. Depending on your location, you may be able to witness the ISS blazing a path across the sky several times a week, or it may only appear once or twice a month if that. To take the guesswork out of your search for the space station, NASA has a handy Spot the Station service available at spotthestation.nasa.gov/. Visitors to the site can get a list of upcoming sightings for a location they specify. Visitors can also sign up to receive email or text alerts that will let them know when an opportunity to view the station is near for their specified location. The alerts will include the time of the sighting, how long the ISS will be visible, the height at which it can be seen in degrees, where it will appear and where it will disappear. Bright enough to be seen even with city light pollution, the ISS looks like a fast-moving plane or star. The size of a football field, the station is the largest manmade object in space and has more livable area than an average six-bedroom house.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Jan. 5th and 10th - 45th Anniversaries of Venera 5 and 6 Launches
In January 1969, the Soviet Union launched two of its Venera probes into orbit within days of each other. Like others in the series, the Venera 5 and 6 probes were sent to Venus, where they were successful in gathering atmospheric data. Venera 5 entered the atmosphere of Venus on May 16, 1969, and transmitted data for 53 minutes. Venera 6 entered on May 17, 1969, and returned data for 51 minutes. In addition to being outfitted with scientific instruments, each spacecraft included a medallion bearing the Soviet Union’s Coat of Arms and a bas-relief of Vladimir Lenin. The last of this series of Venusian probes - Venera 16 - was launched in June 1983 and was use to map a portion of the planet’s surface.

-----------------------Week of December 15-21st -------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Dec. 18 - Conjunction between Jupiter and the Moon
Two of the brightest celestial objects will pair up in the night sky on December 18th as Jupiter reaches conjunction with the nearly full Moon. Although both will lie in the constellation Gemini, they will not be close enough to observe together in a telescope’s field of view. However, the lovely match can be easily enjoyed by the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars. Ranked as the fourth brightest celestial object, Jupiter is currently one of the highlights in the night sky - shining brilliantly into the pre-dawn hours after rising in the east as Venus sets in the west. By the time it reaches opposition on January 5th, 2014, it will be up from dusk until dawn. With the naked eye, Jupiter will manifest as a bright point of light, but a modest telescope may reveal the giant planet’s impressive cloud belts, its turbulent Great Red Spot or any of the four Galilean moons.

Dec. 21 - December Solstice
Even if you can‘t make it to Stonehenge, you can still mark the December solstice on the 21st. At 17:11 Universal Time, the Sun will reach its southernmost point in the sky, which means the Northern Hemisphere will see its shortest day and longest night while the Southern Hemisphere enjoys its longest day and shortest night. For many, the event also unofficially marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Dec. 17 - 110th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers First Powered Aircraft Flight
In 1903, an event that would change the world happened with little fanfare in the humble hills of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. At 10:35 a.m. on December 17th, aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright saw their long-pursued dream become reality as Orville piloted the first powered, heavier-than-air aircraft in a 12-second flight. Following the monumental moment, which was captured in a pre-positioned camera by a first-time photographer, the Wright brothers made three more flights that day - the last of which was piloted by Wilbur Wright for an impressive 852 feet in 59 seconds. The brothers had worked toward this goal for years and had honed their knowledge of lift and other variables for sustaining and controlling flight through hundreds of glider runs and hours of bird-watching. The brothers chose the Kill Devil Hills near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, as the venue for their flights because of the area’s sandy terrain and constant wind. A celebration commemorating the achievement is held every year at the Wright Brothers National Monument in Kill Devil Hills and includes military and civilian flyovers. For more information on this year’s event, visit www.firstflight.org/news.

Dec. 21 - 45th Anniversary of the Apollo 8 Launch
On December 21st, 1968, NASA launched Apollo 8 on an inspiring mission to become the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth and enter lunar orbit, which was a huge leap in the race to put an astronaut on the Moon. Although, it was the second manned mission in the Apollo space program, it racked up some impressive firsts in addition to its history-making trip to the Moon and back. The three crew members, Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James A. Lovell, Jr. and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders, became the first astronauts to see Earth as a whole planet and the first to directly see the far side of the moon. They also captured the first photos taken of Earth from deep space, one of which was the iconic “Earthrise” image (http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/640273main_Apollo8-color-full.jpg). Throughout their flight, the crew made six live broadcasts including one on Christmas Eve. During this broadcast, the three crew members showed the view of Earth and the Moon from the spacecraft’s window as they took turns reading from the Bible’s book of Genesis. Commander Borman ended the special message by saying, “And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas and God bless all of you - all of you on the good Earth.” After completing 10 lunar orbits, Apollo 8 headed back to Earth and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on December 27th.


-----------------------Week of December 8-14th -------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Dec. 8 - Puppid-Velid Meteor Shower
For meteor shower enthusiasts in the southern hemisphere, the fairly obscure Puppid-Velids Meteor Shower is expected to reach its peak around December 8th, resulting in five to 10 meteors per hour. A thin moon should provide little interference for dedicated observers.

Dec. 13 - Geminid Meteor Shower
It’s once again time to grab your blanket and hunt out a patch of dark sky because one of the most prolific annual meteor showers is set to peak around December 13th. First observed in the mid-1800s, the Geminid Meteor Shower has blossomed from meek beginnings and now produces more than 100 bright meteors - often yellowish in hue - per hour during its peak. It is not just the high activity that makes the Geminids notable. In fact, their origins make it truly unusual because instead of being generated by the debris left behind by a comet, they are caused by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which orbit’s the sun every 1.4 years. 3200 Phaethon has presented quite a puzzle for astronomers because it behaves like a comet - causing some to call it a “rock comet.” Discovered in 1983, the odd asteroid is made of rock and not ice like a comet, but, like a comet, it has a highly elliptical orbit and emits dust, which leads to this meteor shower. Radiating from the Gemini constellation, the Geminids will be visible in both hemispheres but a nearly full moon this year will interfere by brightening the sky until it sets in the wee hours before dawn.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Dec. 8 - 105th Anniversary of First Light of Mount Wilson Observatory’s 60-inch Telescope
On December 8th, 1908, the now-historic 60-inch telescope at the Mount Wilson Observatory in Los Angeles had its “first light.” Usually a ceremonial affair, the “first light” marks the first use of a telescope to take an astronomical image after construction is complete. At the time of its first light, the 60-inch reflector was the largest operational telescope in the world. It was built around a 60-inch glass disc that George Ellery Hale received from his father. The disc was 7.5 inches thick and weighed 1,900 pounds. Hale eventually acquired the funding necessary to build an observatory and a structure for the telescope. Even though it was surpassed in size less than a decade later, the scope has had an impressive career. In fact, it was the tool that astronomer Harlow Shapley used to prove the Sun was not at the center of the Milky Way. Today, this telescope remains one of the largest in the world devoted to general public use, and private viewing sessions can be scheduled by contacting the observatory.

Dec. 11 - Annie Jump Cannon’s Birthday
Born on December 11, 1863, Annie Jump Cannon earned her place in the annals of astronomy by developing a system for classifying stars by their spectra. In the late 1800s, Cannon joined a group of women hired by Harvard College Observatory Director Edward Pickering to pour through astronomical data and catalog the stars as part of an effort that led to the Henry Draper Catalogue. While working on the project, Cannon refined the classification systems of her predecessors to create what became known as the Harvard Classification Scheme, which is still in use today. Throughout her life, Cannon classified around 350,000 stars and discovered hundreds of variable stars. A graduate of Wellesley College, Cannon was the first female recipient of an honorary doctorate from Oxford University, the first woman elected as an officer of the American Astronomical Society and a recipient of the illustrious Henry Draper Medal from the National Academy of Sciences.


-----------------------Week of December 1-7th -------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Dec. 6 - Venus at Greatest Illuminated Extent
The ever-bright Venus will appear even more so as it reaches its greatest illuminated extent as an evening sky presence on December 6th. After the Sun and Moon, Venus shines as the third brightest object in the sky so it is always a sight to behold. However, when it is at its greatest illuminated extent, Venus’ already impressive brilliance will be enhanced because the lit portion of the planet’s disk will cover more square area of the sky than at any other time during its current cycle as an evening star. This event occurs midway between a greatest elongation and an inferior conjunction, which means it will make its brightest morning appearance in about 72 days or in February 2014. Although it is at its brightest, a telescope will reveal that Venus is in a waning crescent phase and is only about 25 percent illuminated. However, its apparent diameter is greater because it is much closer to Earth than when it is at full phase.
Source: earthsky.org

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Dec. 3 - 40th Anniversary Pioneer 10 Jupiter Flyby
On March 2, 1972, NASA’s Pioneer 10 space probe embarked on an ambitious mission to be the first spacecraft to fly by Jupiter, After an unprecedented trek through the peril-laden Asteroid Belt that lasted more than six months, the spacecraft made its historic rendezvous with Jupiter on December 3rd, 1973, when it passed within 81,000 miles of the giant planet. In addition to being the first space probe to make close-up observations of the Jovian system and the first to visit the Asteroid Belt, Pioneer 10 was also the first spacecraft placed on a trajectory to escape the solar system and enter interstellar space, the first to fly beyond Mars, the first to use all-nuclear electrical power and the first to fly beyond the orbit of Neptune. In fact, Pioneer 10 was the farthest human-made object in the solar system until Voyager 1 - a probe its mission paved the way for - exceeded its distance on February 17th, 1998. Although NASA received a final, very weak signal from the probe in January 2003, Pioneer 10 remains on a trajectory toward Aldebaran, a red star in the Taurus constellation that it will pass in about 2 million years. And while it is done providing data to us, it does carry a plaque to provide information to any intelligent life it should encounter on its lonely journey through space. The plaque describes what male and female humans look like, diagrams the solar system and details our location.

-----------------------Week of November 24th-30th -------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Nov. 25-26 - Mercury and Saturn at Conjunction
In the hour or so just before dawn on November 25th and 26th, Mercury and Saturn will appear extremely close together in the twilight sky as they reach conjunction. Positioned visually within 1 degree of each other, the planets will be easily observable in the same binocular field. On the 25th, Mercury will appear above Saturn, but, in the wee hours of the 26th, Saturn will move above Mercury.

Nov. 28 - Comet ISON at Perihelion
The event comet chasers and avid sky watchers have been waiting for is upon as the much-anticipated Comet ISON rockets toward its very first brush with the Sun on November 28th. Classified as a sun grazer and long-hailed as a potential “comet of the century,” Comet ISON will be only about 800,000 miles from the surface of the Sun as it reaches perihelion. Currently demonstrating unexpected bursts in brightness, ISON could emerge in early December’s morning skies as a brilliant comet with a graceful tail if it survives the Sun’s extreme heat and gravitational pull. Discovered in September 2012 by two Russian astronomers, Comet ISON has generated high expectations for a number of reasons including that it is on a similar path around the Sun as the Comet of 1680, one of the brightest comets ever recorded. But each comet has its own personality, and the suspense of what will happen is a large part of ISON’s appeal.

Pleiades Star Cluster

Even though it has just passed opposition, the storied Pleiades star cluster with its brilliant blue stars will remain a stunning presence in the sky from dusk to dawn throughout November and continuing into December. Also know by the names Messier 45 or the more poetic Seven Sisters, the open star cluster has a rich lore that crosses cultures and goes back thousands of years. It is relatively young, having formed within the last 100 million years, and lies relatively close to Earth at about 440 light years away. Found in the Taurus constellation, it consists of more than 1,000 confirmed stars, although an average of only six are visible to the naked eye. A dark sky free of light pollution can help a dedicated observer see around a dozen Pleiades stars, but a good pair of binoculars or a low-power telescope can quickly reveal the more elusive members of this legendary cluster.

WHAT TO LOOK INTO:
Nov. 30 - Deadline for Name An Asteroid Contest

Just like an undetected near-Earth object, the deadline is quietly approaching for the “Name an Asteroid” contest sponsored by the Space Generation Advisory Council, its Near Earth Object Project Group and the International Astronomical Union Minor Planet Center. Those interested in entering the contest will need to submit a 50 words or less explanation of their proposed asteroid name as well as their own name, age, home country and email. Winners in the two age groups (under 18 and over 18) will be announced near the end of the year. Formed through a United Nations effort, the SGAC is a global non-governmental network that seeks to represent the interests and opinions of university students and young space professionals in regard to international space policy and the peaceful uses of outer space. To enter or for more information on the contest and naming rules, visit http://spacegeneration.org/index.php/projects/neo-working-group?id=851.

-----------------------Week of November 17th-23th -------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Comet R1 Lovejoy and Comet Encke
As Comet ISON blazes towards it late-November brush with the Sun, the world is waiting to see if it will indeed emerge as the comet of the century. In the meantime though, a handful of other comets are currently making their own marks in the sky this season. Two of these notable comets are Comet Encke and Comet R1 Lovejoy. Comet Encke will reach perihelion, or its closest point to the sun, on November 21st, just one week before Comet ISON. Currently visible low in the northern hemisphere’s pre-dawn sky, it is bright enough to see with a good pair of binoculars or even a small telescope. Green in color and usually producing a minimal tail, Encke makes its celestial appearances fairly frequently because it takes only a little over three years for it to complete one orbit around the sun. In contrast, Comet R1 Lovejoy has a much longer orbital period - approximately 6,997 years longer. So now is truly the time to see it. Currently shining at a 6 magnitude and getting brighter every day, R1 Lovejoy will make its closest approach to Earth on November 19th and will reach perihelion on December 22nd. The comet, which was just discovered in September, can be easily seen by binoculars in the pre-dawn sky and could soon become a naked eye object. Locating Encke or R1 Lovejoy will take some star-hopping, so a good star chart will be helpful. For assistance in tracking comets or other sky wonders, check out http://theskylive.com/.

Nov. 18 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation
On November 18th, Mercury will be a bright presence in the pre-dawn sky as it moves into a prime position for early morning viewing. Because it is always so close to the Sun, Mercury is usually lost in its glare. But on this day it will be at its greatest western elongation or at its furthest point to the west of the Sun, which, means it will rise more than an hour before the Sun in some places, especially in the northern hemisphere. A clear sunrise horizon is essential for viewing Mercury, which can be found in the Virgo constellation during the event. While this often-elusive planet will be visible to the naked eye, a pair of binoculars or a small telescope could provide additional details and even a glimpse of Comet ISON, which will lie in the same part of the sky as Mercury. 

Nov. 17-18 - Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks

An annual November presence caused by the Earth’s passage through debris left behind by the Comet Tempel-Tuttle, the always-anticipated Leonid meteor shower is set to peak around November 17th and 18th.  Although it has a history of producing stunning meteor storms every few decades, the shower usually generates about 10 to 15 meteors per hour, which is this year’s expected rate. Even though the Leonids radiate from the Leo constellation, viewers should actually find a dark patch of early morning sky about 90 degrees away from the radiant point to see the most meteors. Patience will also be important for those wanting to view this year’s peak because the Full Moon will put a damper on the event by flooding the sky with light. 

WHAT TO LOOK INTO:
Nov. 18 - NASA set to launch Mars probe

On November 18th, NASA is planning on embarking on its next mission to Mars with the launch of the MAVEN spacecraft. MAVEN, which is formally known as the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, is charged with collecting data on the planet’s “upper atmosphere, ionosphere and its interactions with the sun and solar wind.” Scientists are hoping to gain insight into the evolution of Mars’ atmosphere and climate. NASA is planning to air the launch live. For more information on the MAVEN mission, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/maven.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Nov. 18 - Alan Shepard’s Birthday
On November 18th, 1923, famed NASA astronaut Alan Shepard was born in Derry, New Hampshire. A skilled pilot with an established 15-year Naval career, Shepard was selected by NASA to be one of its original seven astronauts in 1959. On May 5, 1961, he became the first American in space when he was launched aboard the Freedom 7 spacecraft to an altitude of 116 miles before splashing down into the Atlantic Ocean 15 minutes later. Sidelined from flight for several years due to an inner ear condition, Shepard became Chief of the Astronaut Office in 1963. In 1969, he was cleared for flight following corrective surgery, and on January 31, 1971, he traveled into space again as commander of the Apollo 14 mission. During this mission, Shepard piloted the lunar module to a landing in the Moon’s Fra Mauro highlands. He and fellow astronaut Ed Mitchell logged the longest stay on the lunar surface at 33.5 hours. During the 9 hours and 17 minutes the astronauts spent outside the lunar module during the mission, Shepard found time to squeeze in a quick round of golf - hitting two golf balls with a collapsible golf club on the lunar surface. 

Nov. 18 - Alan Shepard’s Birthday
Fifteen years ago, the first component for the International Space Station was launched from a base in Kazakhstan. Named Zarya, which translates to “sunrise” or “dawn,” this module was built by a Russian company but funded by the United States. While the space station was being assembled, Zarya provided electrical power, propulsion, orientation control and communications. Soon after Zarya achieved orbit, Space Shuttle Endeavour attached a connecting module called Unity to it. Almost two years after Zarya’s launch, the Zvezda Service Module rocketed into space as the third component of the ISS. It provided living quarters and took over many of the functions of Zarya, which is now used primarily for storage. 


-----------------------Week of November 10th-16th -------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Andromeda Galaxy
Autumn’s dark skies make a perfect stage for amateur astronomers to view the beauty of the bright Andromeda Galaxy, which currently sits high in the sky from dusk to dawn. Located at about 2.5 million light years away from Earth, the Andromeda Galaxy is the closest major galaxy to our own Milky Way. Although it is the most distant object the naked eye can see, binoculars can be a handy aid for locating the galaxy, and a telescope will reveal its spiral details and its much smaller companion galaxies known as M32 and M110. To locate the galaxy, find the Great Square and look for two streams of stars that shoot off of it into the Andromeda constellation. An imaginary line drawn up from the middle star of the bottom stream to the middle star in the upper stream, will point to Andromeda.

Nov. 11-12 - North Taurids Meteor Shower Peaks
Set to peak November 11th and 12th, the North Taurids Meteor Shower usually does not produce a prolific amount of meteors per hour. But of the less than 10 that do occur, there is a greater chance that some of these might be of the quite spectacular and particularly bright “fireball” variety. The Taurids, which appear to radiate from the Taurus the Bull constellation, will appear best in the Northern Hemisphere and the ideal viewing time will be in the early morning hours after the waxing gibbous moon sets. To view the show, all you need is your naked eye, a good place to lie down under a dark open sky and patience.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Nov. 14 - 10th Anniversary of the Discovery of Sedna
On November 14th, 2003, a trio of researchers discovered the most distant object orbiting the Sun using a 48-inch telescope at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory. Named after the Inuit goddess of the sea, Sedna is a planet-like body located more than 8 billion miles away that orbits the Sun every 10,500 years. About three-fourths the size of Pluto and second only to Mars in being the reddest object in the solar system, Sedna also could be the first observed object in an “inner Oort cloud,” according to its discoverers. Sedna is located 10 times closer to the sun than the hypothesized Oort cloud, which is a vast repository of icy bodies and a source of long-period comets. But the similarities between Sedna’s elliptical orbit and those of objects thought to lie in the Oort cloud caused researchers to theorize that the Oort cloud actually extends further inward toward the sun than previously thought.

Nov. 15 - William Herschel’s Birthday
On November 15th, 1738, famed astronomer William Herschel was born in Hanover, Germany. Although his first passion was music, Herschel immersed himself in astronomy in his early-30s. His long list of astronomy achievements is filled with discoveries including the planet Uranus in 1781, two of Uranus’ moons in 1787, two of Saturn’s moons in 1789 and the existence of infrared radiation in 1800. He also completed a series of intense deep sky surveys over a 20-year period that created a catalog of more than 2,400 deep sky objects that continues to be referenced today.


-----------------------Week of November 3rd-9th -------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Nov. 3 - Hybrid Solar Eclipse
On November 3rd, parts of the world will bear witness to a rare event - a hybrid solar eclipse in which the eclipse will rapidly shift from an annular to a total during its trek across the globe. In a total eclipse, the moon completely covers the Sun, but in an annular eclipse, the moon lies far enough from the Earth to prevent it from totaling obscuring the Sun, leaving a very bright ring around the dark circle of the moon. In this particular event, the annular portion of the eclipse will last only seconds and will occur near eastern North America. As the event progresses, most viewers will only see a partial solar eclipse, but those in a narrow swath of equatorial Africa will be able to briefly view a total solar eclipse in the afternoon. No matter what kind it is, when it comes to viewing a solar eclipse, it is vitally important to remember that one should wear eye protection and should never point binoculars or a telescope at an object close to the Sun because this action could result in immediate and permanent blindness.

Nov. 3-4 - South Taurids Meteor Shower Peaks
Set to peak around November 3rd or 4th, the South Taurids Meteor Shower usually does not produce a prolific amount of meteors per hour. But of the less than 10 that do occur, there is a greater chance that some of these might be of the quite spectacular and particularly bright “fireball” variety. The Taurids, which appear to radiate from the Taurus the Bull constellation, will appear best in the Northern Hemisphere and most active between midnight and dawn. The waxing crescent moon will be only two days old during the peak so it should not interfere with viewing. The related North Taurids Meteor Shower will reach its peak next week. To view the show, all you need is your naked eye, a good place to lie down under a dark open sky and patience.

WHAT TO LOOK INTO:
Nov. 7 - Geocaching in space
At 4:08 a.m. UT (Universal Time) on November 7th, NASA astronaut Rick Mastracchio is set to begin his mission to the International Space Station from a launch pad in Kazakhstan. Tagging along on the journey will be a special Geocaching Travel Bug, named TB5JJN1, which Mastracchio is charged with delivering to the ISS and returning to Earth on behalf of a 5th grade class at his elementary school alma mater in Waterbury, Conn.

The Travel Bug will be used as an educational tool to encourage children to learn more about space travel, the ISS, geography and other scientific pursuits. Eleven “hitchhiker tags” have been added to the Travel Bug so that other area schools can share in the adventure.

Geocaching is essentially a world-wide treasure hunt in which participants use a specific set of GPS coordinates to find the location of hidden caches of various sizes and types. A traditional cache consists of a container with a logbook where players can record their find and, depending on the size of the container, trade trinkets or trackables like Travel Bugs. As these types of items are transferred from cache to cache, their movements can be tracked on geocaching.com using their unique code.

Mastracchio’s Travel Bug is actually the second one to make the journey to the ISS. Video game developer Richard Garriott hid another on the space station in 2010. Mastracchio will be bringing it back to Earth when he returns in six months.

As for this Travel Bug‘s space adventure, events will be held around the world on November 6th and 7th to mark the occasion, and those who attend one of the official events will earn a “Geocaching in Space” souvenir. For a complete list of events, visit www.geocaching.com/calendar/.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Nov. 3 - 40th Anniversary of Mariner 10 Launch
On this date in 1973, NASA launched Mariner 10 on its mission to become the first spacecraft to visit Mercury. During three fly-bys, the space probe documented the planet’s cratered, moon-like surface and revealed that it had a small magnetic field and a large iron-rich core. In addition to providing a greater understanding of Mercury, Mariner 10 racked up a long list of firsts during the journey, which began with an encounter with Venus in February of 1974 that provided the first close-up images of the planet. These achievements included being the first spacecraft to reach one planet by using the gravitational pull of another, being the first to visit more than one planet and being the first to use solar wind for orientation during flight.


-----------------------Week of Oct 20-26 -------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Arcturus
One of the brightest stars in the sky, Arcturus is known as a beacon of spring. But even though the northern hemisphere is experiencing the first chills of autumn, the red giant star can still put on a show. Currently located low in the sky, Arcturus is one of a handful of stars that right now appear to flash different colors. This effect is due to the fact that Arcturus and other “flashing” stars like Capella and Sirius are in a position that requires their light to pass through a thicker part of Earth‘s atmosphere causing more refraction. For those wanting to get a good look at this phenomenon, the very bright Arcturus is located in the Boötes constellation and is especially easy to find by simply following the curve of the Big Dipper’s handle, which always points to it. The star currently is rising about two hours before sunrise and setting about two hours after sunset.
Source: earthsky.org

Oct. 20th-22nd - Orionid Meteor Shower Peaks
Although the nearly full moon will put a damper on the drama of this year’s Orionid meteor shower, the annual event will still reach its peak activity between midnight and dawn on October 21. Generated when the Earth crosses paths with the dust left behind by Halley’s Comet , the Orionids radiate from the constellation Orion and generally last for about a week in late-October. During years when a bright moon is not a factor, observers can typically see around 25 meteors per hour during the shower‘s peak activity time. For prime viewing find a position under a dark open sky away from light pollution, lie down, look up and enjoy the show.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Oct. 24 - 15th Anniversary of the Deep Space 1 Launch
On this date in 1998, NASA launched Deep Space 1 on a mission to use 12 new technologies in space as part of the agency‘s New Millennium program. In addition to being the first NASA spacecraft to use an ion propulsion system, it also tested an autonomous optical navigation system, a solar concentration array that provided primary power and artificial intelligence self-repair software. Deep Space 1 also executed fly-bys of asteroid 9969 Braille and Comet Borrelly. The latter of these fly-bys provided valuable data by generating highly detailed images of the comet’s surface. The spacecraft was retired in December 2001.

-----------------------Week of Oct 07-12-------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Comet ISON
Stargazers around the world can watch Comet ISON fly by the bright star Regulus and the Red Planet Mars in Constellation Leo during the week of October 13th through the 19th. During this period, the comet will brighten enough to be found with 7x50 binoculars and with small telescopes of 70mm or larger aperture. For optimal viewing, find a dark field away from city lights. Comet ISON is predicted to become super bright in the months ahead.

Jupiter
Currently a sight to behold in the pre-dawn and dawn hours, Jupiter will begin to be up by mid-to-late evening by the end of the month. On October 16th/17th, a series of double shadow transits begin for our solar system’s largest planet, which is best viewed through at least a moderately sized telescope. A double shadow transit occurs when two of Jupiter’s moons cast shadows on the planet at the same time. During the first of these events, which starts October 16th, observers will see the shadows of Jupiter’s Ganymede and Io moons glide across the planet. The subsequent events on October 18th/19th and 25th/26th will feature Europa and Io. This series comes straight off the heels of a more unusual triple shadow transit event that occurred on October 11th/12th and involved Callisto, Europa and Io.

Oct. 16 - Venus and Antares
Just after sunset, the beautifully bright Venus and the red supergiant star Antares will appear close together in the southwest sky. Even though they don’t really share celestial real estate, it will seem like they do over a period of several days, with October 16th being the time when they are at their closest. While Venus is easy to spot with the naked eye, a pair of binoculars aimed in the direction of Venus will help in spotting Antares.

Oct. 18 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
Although it will lack the drama of a total lunar eclipse, the moon will make a pass through Earth’s outer shadow in an event known as a penumbral lunar eclipse on Oct. 18. Often difficult to distinguish for an untrained eye, a portion of the moon will undergo a faint darkening during the eclipse, which is set to last for almost four hours. During the evening’s maximum eclipse time, which is 23h51 UTC, around 76.5 percent of the Moon’s visible surface will be in Earth’s penumbra.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Oct. 15 - 10th Anniversary of the Shenzhou 5 Launch
On this date in 2003, China successfully launched its first manned space mission, Shenzhou 5, which took astronaut Yang Liwei on a 21-hour voyage that orbited the Earth 14 times. This achievement secured China’s place in the annals of manned spaceflights by making it the third country to independently send humans into space. 

Oct. 18 - 46th Anniversary of Venera 4’s Visit to Venus
Launched by the Soviet Union on June 12, 1967, Venera 4 was one of a series of probes sent to Venus in an effort to collect data about the planet. Venera 4 stands out in the series because on October 18, 1967, it arrived at Venus and became the first man-made device to enter the atmosphere of another planet and collect and return data.

-----------------------Week of Oct 07-12-------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Oct. 7 - Draconid Meteor Shower
While it usually does not result in an impressive amount of meteors per hour, the Draconid event is a notable rarity among meteor showers because these meteors are best seen in the early evening instead of in the more common post-midnight hours. This meteor shower’s radiant point is in the head of the Draco the Dragon constellation, which makes it mostly a northern hemisphere phenomenon. Set to peak on Oct. 7, the shower usually only produces a few meteors per hour, but it is unpredictable and has produced hundreds per hour in some years. There is no indication that this year’s event will generate an unusual bounty of meteors, but the thin waxing crescent moon will make for ideal observation conditions. For prime viewing find a position under a dark open sky away from light pollution, lie down, look up and enjoy the show.

Oct. 9 -Mercury at Greatest Elongation East
On October 9th, Mercury will be in a prime position for early evening viewing in some locations, especially in the southern hemisphere where it will set more than an hour behind the Sun. Because it is always so close to the Sun, Mercury is usually lost in its glare. But on this day it will be at its greatest eastern elongation or at its furthest point to the east of the Sun, which puts it in an uncommon observation situation. A clear western horizon is essential for viewing Mercury, which can be found in the Libra constellation during the event. While Mercury will be visible to the naked eye, a small telescope could provide some phase details.

WHAT TO LOOK INTO:
Oct. 12 - International Observe the Moon Night
It’s a steady presence in all of our lives, but most people do not really take the time to appreciate Earth’s closest neighbor. Each year, International Observe the Moon Night aims to right that wrong by encouraging people around the globe to take a good long look at the Moon whether it is through a telescope, binoculars or even with the naked eye. The evening’s goal is to generate appreciation for this humble celestial object and inspire people to delve deeper into the intriguing lunar landscape. For information on the vast range of activities scheduled throughout the world in relation to the event, visit www.observethemoonnight.org.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Oct. 11- 45th Anniversary of the Apollo 7 Launch
On this date in 1968, NASA launched Apollo 7, which orbited Earth for 11 days and was the first manned mission in the Apollo space program. The mission was a test flight for the new Command Module, which had been extensively redesigned after a fire killed the crew of Apollo 1 on the launch pad in 1967. Producing a healthy share of historical moments, Apollo 7 offered the first live television broadcast from a crew in space, served as the United States’ first three-man mission, was the first flight to test a new space suit design and was the only manned Apollo mission to launch from Cape Kennedy Air Force Station’s Launch Complex 34.


-----------------------Week of Oct 01-06-------------------------------------
WHAT TO OBSERVE
Oct. 3 - Uranus
On October 3rd, Uranus will be at opposition, which means it is essentially at a position directly opposite of the Sun when viewed from Earth. At the same time, it will also be at its closest approach to Earth. For sky watchers, the combination of these factors means the planet will be in a prime viewing position almost all night, peaking at midnight local time.
Even though Uranus will appear at its brightest and largest in the night sky during this event, naked eye observations will reveal little more than a star-like point. To really see this remote planet at its best, you will need a moderate-sized telescope pointed toward the Pisces constellation.

WHAT TO LOOK INTO:
Oct. 1 - Comet ISON Mars Fly-by
Although it is not set to reveal itself in Earth’s skies until late November, the much-anticipated Comet ISON will give Mars a sneak peek on October 1st as it passes within .07 AU of the planet, which is about six times closer than it will come to Earth. ISON will pass by Mars on its way to the Sun, a meeting that will determine if the sun grazer comet will put on the spectacular show that astronomers are anticipating.
While Earth-bound viewers will not be able to observe the fly-by, a host of rovers and satellites will be at the ready to bear witness to the event and provide essential visual data that can help researchers project ISON’s chance of survival. Experts also see this event as an opportunity to practice for an even closer Mars fly-by, which will happen when Comet Siding Spring swings by the Red Planet in 2014.

WHAT TO COMMEMORATE:
Oct. 1 - NASA’s 55th Anniversary On this date in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration became operational and a whole new era in civilian space exploration and aerospace research was launched. The agency was created on July 29, 1958, when President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act.