2024, December 18: Orion’s Entrance

December 18, 2024: Orion enters the eastern evening sky, rising earlier each evening.  The Hunter is accompanied by Sirius and Procyon.

2023, October 12: Bright Morning Planets Bookend Stellar Spectacular

October 12, 2023: Before sunrise, brilliant Venus and Jupiter bracket the Milky Way’s bright Orion region.

Jupiter, Aldebaran and Orion Tonight, December 21, 2012

After several cloudy, rainy, and snowy days, a clear sky returned this evening. This 30-second exposure shows the southeastern sky at 9:10 p.m. CST from the Chicago area. (Click the image to see it larger.)  Bright Jupiter is in front of the stars of Taurus with its bright star Aldebaran.  They are paired high in the sky. … Continue reading Jupiter, Aldebaran and Orion Tonight, December 21, 2012

Jupiter, Taurus, and Orion Tonight, December 4, 2012

Just one day after opposition, Jupiter climbs higher into a clear eastern sky in this 30-second image as seen from the Chicago area. Jupiter is in front of the stars of Taurus the bull, marked by its bright star Aldebaran. This bright star seems to be part of a widely, spread star cluster (Hyades), although … Continue reading Jupiter, Taurus, and Orion Tonight, December 4, 2012