 | | Created for znamenski.spacecom@blogger.com | Web Version | | | |  | Merry Christmas skywatchers! | This festive week brings a celestial mix of holiday sparkle and skywatching treats. Jupiter steals the show with two moon shadows crossing its face on Christmas Eve, while Sirius — the brightest star in the night sky — shines prominently on Christmas night. A few days later, the moon puts on a double act, pairing up with Saturn and Neptune before revealing the striking Lunar X feature along the terminator. Beyond the weekly highlights, this issue also explores whether the Star of Bethlehem could have been a comet and looks back at 10 times the night sky amazed us in 2025. We're also featuring a remarkable photo story capturing two of Earth's rarest lightning phenomena — a halo and a sprite — photographed at the same time, offering a stunning glimpse of the extreme electrical activity high above thunderstorms. Whether you're stepping outside after festivities or sneaking a look through the window between celebrations, we hope the skies bring you a little extra wonder this week. Thanks for spending another year looking up with us.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from all of us here at Space.com. Here's what to watch for in the days ahead, Daisy Dobrijevic Reference Editor | |  | | (Starry Night) | Skywatchers in Asia and Oceania can catch a rare treat as the shadows of Io and Callisto cross Jupiter together. The overlap lasts about 17 minutes, starting at 16:31 GMT, before Io's shadow continues on alone. A telescope is required. | |  | | (Starry Night) | Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, climbs into view by about 7:30 p.m. local time and sparkles low in the southern sky. Its intense twinkling and winter timing make it a perfect Christmas-night target. | |  | | (Starry Night) | After sunset, the half-illuminated moon pairs with Saturn, with faint Neptune nearby. All three fit in binoculars, though hiding the bright moon will help reveal Neptune. | |  | | (Starry Night) | The striking Lunar X and V features emerge along the moon's terminator, starting around 8:00 p.m. EST (01:00 GMT) and peaking near 9:30 p.m. EST (02:30 GMT). Binoculars or a small telescope work best. | |  | | (Starry Night) | The moon reaches first quarter at 2:10 p.m. EST (19:10 GMT). Evening views are ideal for exploring crater walls and mountain ranges lit by low-angle sunlight. | | | The moon completes its first quarter phase on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 2:10 p.m. EST (19:10 GMT). At this stage, the moon appears half-lit on its eastern side and rises around midday, making it visible well into the evening. This phase offers some of the best lunar viewing of the month, as shadows along the terminator enhance craters, ridges, and mountain ranges. A small telescope or binoculars will reveal dramatic texture across the moon's surface — perfect for relaxed holiday observing. Want to explore more? Check out our ultimate guide to observing the moon for tips and tools to get the most out of each phase. | | | | A bevy of comets, a "blood moon" total lunar eclipse and impressive northern lights were just three of the skywatching highlights in 2025. Here's how they unfolded. | | | The direction, distance and motion of the comet through the sky during its closest approach could have made it seem like it was hovering over Bethlehem when Jesus was said to have been born. | | | | The latest aurora forecast for tonight help you make sure you're in the right place at the right time to see the northern lights. | | | | A photographer in Italy captured an ultra-rare elve and red sprite flashing above the Alps in a single breathtaking moment. | | | | Astronomy Kit and Accessories | | | These are the best small telescopes you can buy in every category. | | | The best monocular devices on the market offer a lightweight alternative to binoculars. Try using one this month to view the full moon. | | | | Stay up-to-date on all things space science, news, and entertainment by subscribing to our newsletters. | |  | |  | Follow Night Sky This Week |  |  |  |  | | | | | Future US LLC © | | Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036. | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment