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December 3, 2024

Radio: Today’s Episode

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Radio: Yesterday’s Episode

Stargazing

  • Earliest Sunset

    The shortest day of the year is the winter solstice, December 21. Yet the earliest sunsets come before the solstice, working from south to north. From the middle latitudes of the United States, the earliest sunsets will take place in a few days.


  • Jupiter at Opposition

    Jupiter, the solar system’s largest planet, is putting on its best performance of the year. It’s in view all night and shines brightest for the year. Look for it low in the east-northeast at nightfall, with the star Aldebaran to the right of Jupiter.


  • Sun in Ophiuchus

    The Sun is entering Ophiuchus, the serpent-bearer, which is the unofficial thirteenth constellation of the zodiac. The Sun will remain within its borders for a little more than two more weeks.


Moon Phases

At the new Moon phase, the Moon is so close to the Sun in the sky that none of the side facing Earth is illuminated (position 1 in illustration). In other words, the Moon is between Earth and Sun. At first quarter, the half-lit Moon is highest in the sky at sunset, then sets about six hours later (3). At full Moon, the Moon is behind Earth in space with respect to the Sun. As the Sun sets, the Moon rises with the side that faces Earth fully exposed to sunlight (5).

Today’s Sponsor

Stardate Magazine

Current Issue: November/December 2024

Scorching Giants

by Jasmin Fox-Skelly

This issue highlights the hundreds of massive planets orbiting exceptionally close to their stars. We’ll also have all the latest astronomy news, a comprehensive two-month stargazing guide for the months of November and December, detailed skycharts, and answers to your astronomy questions from our science guru Merlin.

StarDate November/December 2024 cover

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Fun Factoid

Star Teachers

  • Stars and Galaxies

    Galaxies contain billions of stars. Do galaxies collide? Do the stars within them collide?

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