(Continued from page 17)

falls. Although about the same brightness as the Summer Triangle star Deneb, the near-horizon view of Mars could be murky. If you have binoculars, they may help you to see Mars in a sky that's less than crystal-clear. Or if you miss Mars tonight, let the waxing crescent moon be your guide on December 14 and 15.
• Uranus and Neptune are well positioned for viewing at nightfall and early evening, though you'll need good binoculars and/or a telescope, and a detailed sky chart to see them. You'll have no trouble seeing Jupiter, the fourth-brightest celestial body after the sun, moon and Venus. Jupiter shines all night long whereas Venus rises above the southeast horizon shortly before the onset of morning dawn.
• Earth passes between Jupiter and sun on December 2-3, 2012
• Because the planets revolve around the sun on nearly the same plane that the Earth revolves around the sun, the planets are always found on or near the ecliptic - Earth's orbital plane projected onto the dome of sky - the same pathway traveled by the sun throughout the year. Even without an optical aid, you can imagine seeing Uranus and Neptune with the mind's eye, lining up on the ecliptic in between Mars and Jupiter.
• As the Earth spins eastward under the heavens tonight, Mars sets shortly after nightfall, followed by Neptune at

(Continued on page 19)