I know some of you have nowt much to do once we get back-endish in December so why not waste your time stargazing?

December is a fine month for evening views of Jupiter, which you can't miss as it's that really bright thing that's not the Moon. Or early risers can see both Venus and Saturn. And if you look carefully, Mercury, which apparently 99% of Earth's population have never seen with their own eyes.

And oh look, what's that bright shiny thingy gliding across the sky? Must be an alien craft. Or...
December is going to be a good month for you International Space Station watchers. Quite a few teatime passes, these will be the best ones, cloud cover permittinghttps://www.heavens-above.comrl and get your own personal schedule.


Earlier in December a great chance to spend an hour or two watching for meteors, overnight Dec 13/14 when the Geminid meteor shower is due.
Articlke with rlDetailsrl

It's a pity that the world will end this December but on the admittedly extremely remote off-chance that it won't, this time next year we should have a real treat with Comet ISON, predicted to be the brightest in living memory, maybe even an object visible in daylight.

And before then, in the early Spring, there will be Comet C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS) which might reach naked-eye visibility before dawn in early spring 2013.

Was sitting in the car in central Leeds last week waiting for the eldest to come out of her work when someone on the radio mentioned the full moon that night and right next to it, Jupiter.

I actually got out of the car to have a look as it was a clear cold night - my was I impressed and more impressed when the bloke on the radio said that with a pair of binoculars you might even be able to see some of Jupiters moons.

Yup, was impressive, I took some long exposure photo's and got a "lunarbow" which was brilliant.

pics please.

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Wot he said!

^

What she said too please.

^
What he said, what she said, what he said.

I'm thinking of getting a telescope next year if I can save a little cash .

What he said.
But being a grandparent I have photos in my wallet where my money used to be.

dont know how good/bad this is www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/sp ... _28104.htm

dont know how good/bad this is www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/sp ... _28104.htm

Do it! I have fond memories of winter nights wrapped up against the cold peering into my telescope following planets, nebulae, etc, including a dim Halley's Comet in 85/86. Funnily enough, last night was freezing cold but beautifully crystal clear and I was thinking back to my stargazing days.

And as I squinted at Halley's Comet as a youngster I suddenly realised I'd probably be dead the next time it came round - the first time I had considered my own mortality. Deep.

Then don't listen to anything anyone else tells you, but find out the next meeting of your local astronomical society, turn up, and have a look and a play and see what they use, and what it does and what you think.

They are all very active this time of year, as you can't beat it for cold nights and clear skies, and they will almost certainly meet at least monthly.

This you can't beat. Even better, you will have any number of enthusiastic people who have all been there done that all of whom will give you ecxcellent practical advice on a scope suited to your needs, all with the benefit of experience. Best of all not only will you have a brilliant evening, its all free!

And, somebody usually knows somebody who is moving on to a better/bigger scope and is selling one cheap . . .

I’m looking forwards to the Geminids, as I live at the coast the light pollution issue isn’t as severe, however, the likelihood of a clear night