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 * * * SKY & TELESCOPE's SKYWATCHER'S BULLETIN - December 29, 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 SHINES

Comet Machholz is a fine sight in binoculars these evenings. In a dark sky
the comet has been easily visible without optical aid; through moonlight
or light pollution it's visible to the naked eye with greater difficulty
if at all. The Moon is out of the way this week -- look for the comet as
it moves north through Taurus, west of the Hyades.

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

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A RARE GLIMPSE OF MARE ORIENTALE

Spectacular Orientale is the youngest large lunar basin, but it's centered
just beyond the western limb of the Moon. Fortunately, favorable
librations tip the Moon so that Orientale's main rings and mare lava flows
occasionally come into view. Look for this Mare before dawn on January 1st
to 4th inclusive.

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/moon/article_723_1.asp

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METEORS FROM AN OBSCURE CONSTELLATION

Early each January the Quadrantid meteor stream provides one of the most
intense annual meteor displays with a brief, sharp maximum lasting only a
few hours. The 2005 Quadrantid meteor shower is due to peak during the
predawn hours of January 3rd.

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/meteors/article_1125_1.asp

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THREE "DOWN UNDER" OCCULTATIONS OF JUPITER

During the first three months of 2005, observers in the southwestern
corner of Australia will have three opportunities to watch the Moon hide
the giant planet Jupiter. The first occultation, on January 4th, will be
the most difficult to view as it takes place during daylight hours with
the last-quarter Moon low in the sky (or setting, depending on your
observing site).

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

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SKY AT A GLANCE

At dawn on January 1st, look toward the southwest for Mercury hanging a
degree above brilliant Venus. 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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PUT YOUR PASSION INTO PRACTICE (Advertisement)

If observing is your passion, we can help you make the most of it. Whether
you're looking for a faint NGC object, an obscure lunar crater, or a
challenging double star, SKY & TELESCOPE magazine has what you need to
know.

SKY & TELESCOPE
> http://SkyandTelescope.com/subscribe

You don't have to be a whiz at science to enjoy the hobby of astronomy. If
you're just beginning to explore the starry sky, NIGHT SKY magazine will
provide simple instructions for finding celestial sights without any
confusing jargon.

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

And if you're planning some 2005 observing sessions, turn to SKYWATCH '05
to discover what's happening, when, and where you need to be to see it.

SKYWATCH '05
> http://SkyandTelescope.com/Skywatch

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