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December 2, 2024Radio: Today’s Episode
Jupiter at Opposition
Zipping past a brilliant planet
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Radio: Yesterday’s Episode
Antarctic Feedback
Heading south to look up
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Stargazing
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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.
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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.
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Southern Fish
Piscis Austrinus, the southern fish, is in the south this evening. It contains only one bright star, Fomalhaut, which marks the fish’s mouth. The white star is just 25 light-years from Earth. It stands almost due south at nightfall.
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).
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