Night Sky Opportunity

One of the fun things about winter is the night sky.  Cold, clear, winter skies are characterized by a lack of humidity and if you live in the country there is very little urban light pollution creating some spectacular opportunities for star-gazing.  

December brings a couple of meteor showers to the night skies.  The more prolific was the Geminids from a week ago.  

December 17^th thru the 26^th brings the Ursid meteor shower with 5  to 10 shooting stars per hour as the Earth passes thru the debris field of Comet 8P/Tuttle.

From my location here on the peninsula the radiant point is circumpolar – always above the horizon.  Action should be happening all evening - with peak action coinciding with the solstice the evening of the 22^nd.   

Mark your calendar and if your catch a cold, clear, winter sky bundle-up and take some time to sit outside and observe the heavens. 

There’s no mosquitoes this time of year!