40th Fife Scout Troop Astronomer Badge

The Planets

This month Jupiter and Saturn can be found shining in the southern sky. Jupiter sets around 10.30 p.m. but Saturn remains in view until the early hours of the morning.

Mars rises in the East in the early hours and can be seen at dawn high in the southern sky. It has a deep orange colour, but don't confuse it with Arcturus, a red giant, which is much brighter and higher.

Also in the dawn sky Mercury can be seen as a bright star just above the horizon.

Finally, Venus can be seen again this month. It sets just after the sun, but from Christmas onwards it sets about an hour later and can be spotted low in the South East.

This months Planet watch was brought to you by Scott Edwards (Mop) PL Foxes who is working towards his Instructor Astronomer.

The Stars

Orion is very easy to find this month, it is one of the most easily recognised constellations in the sky and can be seen from all parts of the World. Look at his sword through binoculars and pay close attention to the middle star of the three. It will look "fuzzy". This is because you are really looking at the Great Orion Nebula.

Canis Major and Canis Minor are Orions hunting dogs and are home to the brightest of stars, Sirius and Procyon. They can be found below and to the right of Orion.

Other Interesting things to look for

Meteors this month brings the return of the Geminid meteor shower. Active between Dec 7th to 15th, peaking on 13/14th. This shower can produce up to 60/80 at peak rate and is one of the more reliable meteor shower of the year. The moon rising late on these evenings should mean that the skies are dark enough to see lots of bright meteors.

Badgework

Find out which is the brightest star in the sky. Can you find it ? ?

What is a "Red Giant" star ?

Mars is in Virgo, find out what you can about the recent NASA exploration of Mars, and what have Yogi and Scooby Doo got to do with it ? ?

Diary remember to keep your diary up to date. All it needs is a good half hour outside, with the school holidays looming you should have loads of chances to get some work done outside.

If you are looking for something to ask "Santa" for try the Collins Gem Guide to the Night Sky. It gives you loads of useful info and tells you what, and where you can find stuff with Binoculars.

***Clear Skies***

***Lorna***