This is the month to look for Mars. The bright red planet rises in the east sky about two hours after sunset. Mars is best viewed when it is higher in the east, after 9 p.m. and it is the brightest celestial object in the east. Its reddish color gives it away.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

Dec. 24 31 17 .00

Dec. 25 39 31 .00

Dec. 26 40 36 .00

Dec. 27 50 38 .23

Dec. 28 51 29 Trace

Dec. 29 44 25 Trace

Dec. 30 26 14 .00

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 36º F.

If you haven’t found Mars yet, tomorrow night, Jan. 2, offers a great opportunity. The moon and Mars appear side by side. The moon is one day past full moon, and the two rise together about an hour after sunset. They are in the zodiacal constellation Cancer, near the Sickle in the constellation Leo, the lion.

For those willing to brave the cold night, there is a ruby red planet rising in the east after 10 p.m. Mars is a perfect example of how a planet gets significantly brighter when it is closer.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

Dec. 18 25 13 .00

Dec. 19 30 19 .00

Dec. 20 36 24 .84*

Dec. 21 26 21 .06*

Dec. 22 32 21 .00

Dec. 23 30 17 .00

*Melted Precip.

A thin crescent moon appears low in the southwestern sky tonight, after sunset. The moon will be low in twilight. More Vineyarders will see the moon tomorrow and thereafter as the moon appears a good deal higher in the sky.