Halves and quarters; two bright stars are about to vanish

Published: Dec. 3, 2023, 6 a.m.

Mercury's at greatest elongation this week. Saturn's still up in the evening. Jupiter's about to turn around. Venus and the moon pair with a dragon star. Mars is still missing.

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English speakers say the moon is at first quarter or last quarter. People who come from non-English speaking cultures have another view.

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It's not often that an asteroid passes in front of one bright star. But it will happen twice next week!