December 1999

DECEMBER - Jupiter and Saturn command the night sky as they get closer and closer to their May 2000 conjunction. 2 - Mercury, which is at its greatest western elongation, is visible far to the lower left of Venus in the morning sky. 3 - Waning crescent Moon is visible with Venus and Spica. 7 - New Moon 2:32 P.M. PST, 15 degrees Sagittarius. 12 - Mars near the waxing crescent Moon -- in the southwest at nightfall. 13, 14 - Geminid meteor showers after 10:00 P.M. 17 - 19 - Watch the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn. 20 - Moon conjunct Aldebaran. Jupiter stationary direct at 25 degrees of Aries. 22 - Winter Solstice -- the Sun is at its southernmost point in the sky, where it lingers for 3 weeks before starting its northward journey. Full Moon 9:31 A.M. PST, 0 degrees of Cancer/Capricorn -- aside from this Full Moon occurring in the very Solstice degree, the Moon is also at perigee -- closest to the earth -- so tides will be extreme. 27 - Mercury moves out-of-bounds -- or beyond the extremes of the Sun's path. Watch for news and events that show Mercury acting in an extreme fashion.