(Continued from page 12)

• North of the Arctic Circle, there is no sunrise right now because the sun stays below the horizon. But the closest full moon to the December solstice stays out all night long at these far northern latitudes, playacting as the midnight sun of summer.
• South of the Antarctic Circle, the sun stays out for 24 hours around the clock. However, the closest full moon to the December solstice simulates the winter sun in the Southern Hemisphere. For that reason, this December full moon won't rise above the horizon at these far southern latitudes.
• By the way, tonight's bright and round moon shines right in front of the great big star formation known as the Winter Circle. In the Southern Hemisphere, though, it should really be called the Summer Circle. Either way, tonight's moon shows you where the sun will reside in front of the background stars six months from now.
• Year after year, the Winter Circle shines way high at midnight around the time of the December solstice. However, the presence of the brilliant planet Jupiter near the Winter Circle star Aldebaran is special to this year. You simply can't miss this dazzling planet, as it's even brighter than Sirius, the brightest star of the nighttime sky. So let the full moon guide you to Jupiter, the brightest star-like light in the evening sky. Then use Jupiter to find the star Aldebaran and the other bright stars of the Winter Circle.
• Watch tonight, as the Northern Hemisphere's Long Night Moon (Southern Hemisphere's Short Night Moon) lights up the nighttime from dusk till dawn!
•