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 * * * SKY & TELESCOPE's SKYWATCHER'S BULLETIN - December 21, 2004 * * *

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Welcome to S&T's Skywatcher's Bulletin. More information on the items
below is available on our Web site, SkyandTelescope.com, at the URLs
provided. (If the links don't work, just manually type the URLs into your
Web browser.) Clear skies!
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COMET MACHHOLZ IN THE EVENING SKY

Comet Machholz is a fine sight in binoculars and, as of mid-December, was
visible to the naked eye for viewers under good, dark skies. Although
glare from the nearly full Moon will interfere with observations of the
comet during the next week, be prepared to catch this little gem after
sunset in late December.

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/comets/article_1396_1.asp

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WATCH A STAR CHANGE BRIGHTNESS

The star Algol was the first eclipsing variable star ever discovered, and
it's still the most famous one. You can check on it whenever you step
outdoors. Algol fades and rebrightens like clockwork every 2.87 days, and
its changes are very plain to the naked eye.

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/variablestars

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OBSERVING THE FULL MOON

The full Moon occurs during Christmas weekend, but don't give up on lunar
viewing. There are still many fascinating features to observe during this
or any phase when you look far from the terminator.

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/moon

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SKY AT A GLANCE

With sunrise coming very late at this time of year, you've got a fine
chance to keep watch on three dawn planets -- one of them bright, two much
fainter -- low in the southeast.To read more about what's happening in the
night sky this week, visit "This Week's Sky at a Glance":

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/ataglance

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> http://SkyandTelescope.com/campaigns.asp?id=332

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> https://NightSkymag.com/orderform.asp

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Copyright 2004 Sky Publishing Corp. S&T's Skywatcher's Bulletin is
provided as a free service to the astronomical community by the editors of
SKY & TELESCOPE magazine. This bulletin may not be redistributed or
republished in any form without written permission from Sky Publishing;
send e-mail to permissions{at}SkyandTelescope.com or call +1 617-864-7360.
More information about astronomical observing is available on our Web site
at http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/.

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