EarthSky News - Dec 30 - A Comet on New Year's Eve?

December 30 A Comet on New Year's Eve? by:

A comet on New Year's Eve? Is there a comet visible in the west after sunset now? No. Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková is there, but too faint to see with the eye alone. Northerly latitude? Try the Quadrantids Plan now to watch 2017 Quadrantid meteor shower between midnight and dawn on the mornings of January 3 or 4. Shower is a gamble. Peak is short and sweet. You must be northward on Earth's globe. Lucky New Year's foods In the U.S. South and around the world, some foods are considered lucky for New Year's.  Tonight … Use Orion's Belt to find other stars Use Orion's Belt to find 4 bright stars - Betelgeuse and Rigel in Orion - Aldebaran in Taurus the Bull and Sirius in Canis Major. Star of the week: Aldebaran is the Bull's fiery eye Aldebaran is huge! If it were in our sun's place, its surface would extend almost to the orbit of Mercury.

EarthSky 2017 moon calendar almost sold out! Best New Year's gift ever! Purchase one before it's too late since we won't be ordering more. Your support means the world to us.

On New Year's Eve … Waxing moon, Venus, Mars This chart is for Saturday evening, just after sunset. Will you see the moon?  Maybe. Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková will be right next to the moon on this date (try this other chart), but not visible to the eye. Likewise, Neptune requires optical aid.

Today's Image: A Sirius culmination The sky's brightest star, Sirius, is always highest in the sky around midnight on New Year's Eve. Photo by Project Nightflight.  Submit your photo to EarthSky here!

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