• Tim Johnson

Moon and Two Planets

On Sunday night the distant planet Saturn appears close to the setting waxing crescent moon. The two are in the zodiacal constellation Aquarius and you can't miss Saturn for it is the brightest celestial object nearest to the moon. You can see the moon the night before in the zodiacl constellation Capricornus, closer to the western horizon. These two constellations, Aquarius and Capricornus close out the season of autumn.

Look again next Thursday night and the moon will have moved up close to the bright planet Jupiter. The two get closer after midnight and they are in the zodiacal constellation Pisces, near the constellation Cetus the whale.

First Day of Winter

The first day of winter arrives on Thursday, at 10:27 p.m. We've been watching both the sunrise and sunset tables and walking outdoors. This is as much darkness as we can stand and are ready for a change. The evidence is already apparent if you take a look at the time ahead. Sunsets have already started the shift and this will continue into June of next year.

Sunrise and Sunset
Day Sunrise Sunset
Fri., Dec. 15 7:01 4:12
Sat., Dec. 16 7:02 4:12
Sun., Dec. 17 7:02 4:12
Mon., Dec. 18 7:03 4:12
Tues., Dec. 19 7:03 4:13
Wed., Dec. 20 7:04 4:13
Thurs., Dec. 21 7:05 4:14
Fri., Dec. 22 7:05 4:14
Temperatures and Precipitations
Day Max (Fº) Min (Fº) Inches
Dec. 8 40 23 0.00
Dec. 9 52 28 0.00
Dec. 10 56 42 0.02
Dec. 11 62 46 1.33
Dec. 12 47 30 0.06
Dec. 13 45 34 0.00
Dec. 14 47 29 0.00
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 43º F

Comments

Comment policy »

YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS

Subscribe or become a Friend of the Vineyard Gazette and receive our free newsletters and free and discounted tickets to Gazette events along with our award-winning news and photography.