The night sky tonight and on any clear night offers an ever-changing display of fascinating objects you can see, from stars and constellations to bright planets, often the moon, and sometimes special events like meteor showers. Observing the night sky can be done with no special equipment, Below, find out what’s up in the night sky tonight (Planets Visible Now, Moon Phases, Observing Highlights This Month) plus other resources
Monday, Dec. 9, 10:12 a.m. EST
First Quarter Moon
The First Quarter Moon rises just after noon and sets just after midnight. It dominates the evening sky.
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 4:28 a.m. EST
Full Moon
The Full Moon of December is known as the Oak Moon, the Cold Moon, or the Long Nights Moon. It rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the moon is in the sky all night long. The rest of the month, the moon spends at least some time in the daytime sky. This will be the smallest full moon in 2013.
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 8:48 a.m. EST
Last Quarter Moon
The Last Quarter Moon rises around midnight and sets around noon. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.
First Quarter Moon
The First Quarter Moon rises just after noon and sets just after midnight. It dominates the evening sky.
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 4:28 a.m. EST
Full Moon
The Full Moon of December is known as the Oak Moon, the Cold Moon, or the Long Nights Moon. It rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the moon is in the sky all night long. The rest of the month, the moon spends at least some time in the daytime sky. This will be the smallest full moon in 2013.
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 8:48 a.m. EST
Last Quarter Moon
The Last Quarter Moon rises around midnight and sets around noon. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.
Space.com, Staff, ed. "Night Sky: Visible Planets, Moon Phases & Events, August
2013." Space.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2013.
2013." Space.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2013.