Penumbral eclipse of the moon on January 10

Enjoy the first full moon of the year on January 10, 2020, This full moon will undergo a penumbral lunar eclipse. At mid-eclipse, you will find a slight shading - Earth's penumbral shadow - on one side of the moon.

Quadrantid meteors on night of January 3-4

The expected peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower in 2020 comes late evening January 3 until dawn January 4, with the predawn hours on January 4 being your best bet.

Moon phase a clue to the sun’s position

If you look in a clear western sky at dusk and early evening, you should spot the waxing crescent moon. Notice that its lighted crescent points toward the sunset.

Don’t miss the young moon and Venus

Think photo opportunity this weekend (December 27-29) as the brightest and 2nd-brightest sky objects - the moon and Venus - beautify the evening twilight shortly after sunset.

How can I see Southern Cross now?

In late December and early January, those at the latitude of Hawaii - or further south - can see the Southern Cross before sunrise.

2019’s farthest perigee on December 18

Notice ... the year's most distant perigee comes when the moon is near last quarter phase.

Moon and Regulus on December 16

On December 16, 2019, you might catch the moon and star Regulus - Heart of the Lion in the constellation Leo - ascending in the east before your bedtime.

Last full moon of the decade on December 11-12

Above: Angela Demetriou McClain of Botetourt County, Virginia, wrote: “Full Cold Moon, taken at 12:12 a.m. from my front yard...

See this week’s Venus-Saturn pairing

On December 10 and 11, 2019, look in the sunset direction - close to the sunset point on the horizon, not long after the sun goes down - for the the conjunction of 2 bright planets, Venus and Saturn. Some will also spot Jupiter nearby.

Mars and Zubenelgenubi close this week

This next week, before dawn, watch as the red planet Mars sweeps by the Zubenelgenubi, the constellation Libra's alpha star.