Checking the weather report on December 17, I found an article on a recently discovered "Christmas comet," named Leonard. It would be visible just below the evening star Venus and could be seen only until December 25, to disappear into the deep solar system and beyond, not to return for 80,000 years, if it doesn't break up as it nears the sun. Who knows what Planet Earth will be like then, and the human race may be long gone....
I hadn't even finished reading the article. It was already dark and Venus would be setting soon. So I collected my telescope and rushed off to a local hill. Despite the light pollution I was able to see Venus and Jupiter, and of course the full moon (technically not until tomorrow).
Finding the crescent Venus in the telescope, I saw her slowly glide in and out from behind the branches of a tree, and as she neared the horizon, she became deep orange, reflecting the sun's light. I was in complete awe...
After Lady Venus retired below the horizon, I turned my sights to Jupiter. Despite the haze, I was able to see the Giant and 2 of his moons.
Then time to take a look at our own moon. It was huge and low in the sky. Through the telescope I could see mountains jutting out at the bottom of the disc. And because it was so huge, taking up most of the field of vision, it was easy to take my cell phone to it and snap a lovely portrait.
This amazing display occurred only 17 hours after my dear friend's mom passed to the ancestors. What a marvelous parting gift! Thank you, Mom!
