Welcome to a new and exciting column on the wonders of the night sky! Get set for an amazing journey into the wonders of Astronomy, Space, Aviation and Weather, with me, Dr.Sky, the good stuff of our websites; www.drsky.com; www.drsky.tv

Each month, you will find some useful and interesting information on how to be a part of the amazing events that occur in our Arizona skies, right here in North Valley magazine. As a talk show host of both radio and TV, I hope to bring you the best of what is going on in our night skies; with some of the best skies in the world!

Now on to the skies!

With December here to ring in the holiday season, our December skies are full of great objects to see. Let’s begin with our nearest neighbor, the moon! Always a treat to see, look for 1st quarter on the 2nd and then on to a very special full moon on the morning of December 10th, with the last full moon of 2011; the Full Long Night Moon and the start of a total lunar eclipse, before sunrise. Look to the NW skies starting at 5:46AM MST, for the start of the partial phases of the eclipse. Things get better, as the total eclipse starts at 7:07AM MST. You will need a little patience, as the moon will be low in the NW sky and sets around 7:18 AM, so you will just see the start of totality.This is a holiday treat for all to enjoy.

Last quarter is on the 17th and New Moon occurs on the 24th. For planets, Venus is the star of the season! Look for this blazing
orb, low in the SW at sunset. High in the E at sunset, is mighty Jupiter and Saturn rises before dawn in the SE sky.

A happy new year 2012, brings us to January! The first month of the new year has some equally amazing sights. The moon starts off 2012 with a first quarter on January 1st, the First full moon of 2012, occurs on the 9th, as the Full Wolf Moon.

Last quarter on the 16th and back to the new moon on the 23rd. Planets adorn the skies too! Look for Venus, higher in the SW at sunset and Jupiter, bright in the S at dusk.

Two meteor showers occur during this period; first is the peak of the Geminid meteors on the morning of December 14th. Look nearly overhead before dawn and the January Quadrantids peak on January 3rd.

Join us for our many Dr.Sky programs around Arizona and our monthly events at the beautiful Las Posadas Resort in Sedona and the monthly Dr.Sky” Cruise To The Cosmos” on the Dolly Steamboat.
Listen to us weekly on KTAR News Talk 92.3 for the Dr.Sky Show, 3AM Saturday mornings.
E- mail me at <a title=”E-mail me here” href=”mailto:drsky@cox.net” target=”_blank”>drsky@cox.net</a>
Facebook at: <a title=”Facebook Page” href=”http://www.facebook.com/people/Steven-Kates/100001527303378″ target=”_blank”>http://www.facebook.com/people/Steven-Kates/100001527303378</a>

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

“Always Remember To Keep You Eyes To The Skies”