Charles Hayden Planetarium

Charles Hayden Planetarium
S KY CHAR T A N D
V I E W I NG G U ID E
December 2013
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, BOSTON
N
The Boston night sky as it appears at:
Dec. 1, 9 pm EST
Dec. 16, 8 pm
Dec. 31, 7 pm
BIG DIP
PER
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AJ
O
is
Polar ar)
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(Nort
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Altair
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AN DR O M ED A
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us
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CANIS
MINOR
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use
Betelge
JUPITER
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ell
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This map is set
for latitude 42°
north, but
may be
used in
most of
the
USA
This chart shows the principal
constellations and star groups
visible from the city. Far
away from the city,
you'll see many
more stars,
except on
moonlit
nights.
ge
Ri
al
ha
ut
l
To
use
chart,
hold
overhead
and line up
“N” with true
north. Objects
near the center are
overhead; those near
the edge are low in the sky.
Fo
m
Planet
positions at
mid-month.
Venus sets early.
Jupiter, opposite the
Sun, is visible all night.
Mars rises after midnight,
then golden Saturn before dawn.
Comet ISON: R.I.P...?
Dec 13-14 Geminid
meteor shower
Scientists agree that the comet suffered
some type of catastrophic event as it swung
around the Sun on Nov. 28, but there may
still be something to see in telescopes at
dawn. Go to isoncampaign.org for updates.
Look for slow-moving
meteors all night, but the
best viewing is after 4:30
am, after the Moon sets,
in places far from the city.
S
Last quarter New moon First quarter
Dec. 2
Dec. 9
Dec. 17
Full moon
Dec. 25
For information on the Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Science: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org