Kym @ The Evening Sky Map
@skymaps.com
Lifelong sky watcher • Publisher of The Evening Sky Map (PDF) each month since January 2000: skymaps.com/tesm/ • Interests: Astronomy outreach • Astro-imaging • Supernovae | Career scientist (retired)
Kym Thalassoudis PhD
Kym Thalassoudis PhD
🌗 🌟 Over the next few hours, the Last Quarter Moon will pass near Spica, the brightest star in Virgo. Best seen in the morning sky with closest approach at 0h UT on 11 January. Spica's position near the ecliptic makes for regular close encounters with the Moon.🔭
Sky Lore Books: skymaps.com/myths/
Sky Lore Books: skymaps.com/myths/
January 10, 2026 at 9:04 PM
🌗 🌟 Over the next few hours, the Last Quarter Moon will pass near Spica, the brightest star in Virgo. Best seen in the morning sky with closest approach at 0h UT on 11 January. Spica's position near the ecliptic makes for regular close encounters with the Moon.🔭
Sky Lore Books: skymaps.com/myths/
Sky Lore Books: skymaps.com/myths/
🌗 The Last Quarter Moon occurs on January 10th at 15:48 UT (now) marking the onset of moonless evening skies. This is an ideal time for stargazing over the next week or so. Go to skymaps.com/tesm/ to download The Evening Sky Map (PDF) and enjoy a night under the stars! 🔭
#stargazing
#stargazing
January 10, 2026 at 3:48 PM
🌗 The Last Quarter Moon occurs on January 10th at 15:48 UT (now) marking the onset of moonless evening skies. This is an ideal time for stargazing over the next week or so. Go to skymaps.com/tesm/ to download The Evening Sky Map (PDF) and enjoy a night under the stars! 🔭
#stargazing
#stargazing
Venus was at superior conjunction a few days ago (January 6th). Mars is at conjunction today (January 9th), and Jupiter will be at opposition tomorrow (January 10th). The close timing of these events results in the planetary alignment depicted in this view of the Solar System.🔭
January 9, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Venus was at superior conjunction a few days ago (January 6th). Mars is at conjunction today (January 9th), and Jupiter will be at opposition tomorrow (January 10th). The close timing of these events results in the planetary alignment depicted in this view of the Solar System.🔭
🌓 ⭐ Over the next few hours, the Moon will once again pass near the bright star Regulus. Closest approach is around 17h UT on 6 January. An occultation will be visible from Russia, China, Mongolia and eastern Kazakhstan. 🔭
More info: in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=...
More info: in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=...
January 6, 2026 at 2:30 PM
🌓 ⭐ Over the next few hours, the Moon will once again pass near the bright star Regulus. Closest approach is around 17h UT on 6 January. An occultation will be visible from Russia, China, Mongolia and eastern Kazakhstan. 🔭
More info: in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=...
More info: in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=...
Over the next few hours the near Full Moon will pass by the bright stars Castor and Pollux (the Twins of Gemini), and the bright planet Jupiter. 🔭
January Sky Calendar: skymaps.com/skycalendar/
January Sky Calendar: skymaps.com/skycalendar/
January 3, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Over the next few hours the near Full Moon will pass by the bright stars Castor and Pollux (the Twins of Gemini), and the bright planet Jupiter. 🔭
January Sky Calendar: skymaps.com/skycalendar/
January Sky Calendar: skymaps.com/skycalendar/
The Quadrantid Meteor Shower peaks shortly at 21h UT on January 3rd (northern hemisphere only). The shower has its radiant in northern Boötes and is active from Dec 28 to Jan 12 with up to 25 meteors per hour under dark skies. Unfortunately, moonlight interferes in 2026. 🔭
January 3, 2026 at 8:16 PM
The Quadrantid Meteor Shower peaks shortly at 21h UT on January 3rd (northern hemisphere only). The shower has its radiant in northern Boötes and is active from Dec 28 to Jan 12 with up to 25 meteors per hour under dark skies. Unfortunately, moonlight interferes in 2026. 🔭
🌕 The Full Moon this month occurs in a few hours time at 10:03 UT on January 3rd. Around this time, the Moon will be closer to us than average so it will also appear noticeably brighter. Step outside tonight and look up to see a large and bright Full Moon and the bright planet Jupiter nearby. 🔭
January 3, 2026 at 6:26 AM
🌕 The Full Moon this month occurs in a few hours time at 10:03 UT on January 3rd. Around this time, the Moon will be closer to us than average so it will also appear noticeably brighter. Step outside tonight and look up to see a large and bright Full Moon and the bright planet Jupiter nearby. 🔭
🌟 On 1 January 2026 the Moon reaches perigee (its closest point to Earth) at 21:39 UT (now). At this time, the Moon will be 360,348 km (or 223,910 miles) away, with an angular diameter of 33.2 arc minutes. 🔭
#stargazing skymaps.com/skycalendar/
#stargazing skymaps.com/skycalendar/
January 1, 2026 at 9:39 PM
🌟 On 1 January 2026 the Moon reaches perigee (its closest point to Earth) at 21:39 UT (now). At this time, the Moon will be 360,348 km (or 223,910 miles) away, with an angular diameter of 33.2 arc minutes. 🔭
#stargazing skymaps.com/skycalendar/
#stargazing skymaps.com/skycalendar/
🌟 The January 2026 edition of The Evening Sky Map is now available for download at skymaps.com/tesm/. The PDF features a Sky Calendar and easy-to-use sky maps for the northern & southern hemispheres, and for the equatorial regions. Please share, and enjoy exploring the Universe! 🔭
#stargazing #space
#stargazing #space
December 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM
🌟 The January 2026 edition of The Evening Sky Map is now available for download at skymaps.com/tesm/. The PDF features a Sky Calendar and easy-to-use sky maps for the northern & southern hemispheres, and for the equatorial regions. Please share, and enjoy exploring the Universe! 🔭
#stargazing #space
#stargazing #space
I sincerely thank everyone who has shared The Evening Sky Map in 2025. The aim of TESM is to help sky watchers globally to discover and enjoy the night sky, ultimately for the wide range of benefits that ensue. Your role in sharing this resource is invaluable. 🔭
#stargazing #nightsky
#stargazing #nightsky
December 29, 2025 at 8:32 PM
I sincerely thank everyone who has shared The Evening Sky Map in 2025. The aim of TESM is to help sky watchers globally to discover and enjoy the night sky, ultimately for the wide range of benefits that ensue. Your role in sharing this resource is invaluable. 🔭
#stargazing #nightsky
#stargazing #nightsky
That’s very cool, literally. In the next few hours I’ll also be setting up for an outreach event here in southern Australia where the local temperature is currently +35C. At least my scope will be next to an ice cream shop.🍦🔭
Hardy astronomers braving -25C temperatures at our outreach event tonight. 🔭
December 28, 2025 at 5:58 AM
That’s very cool, literally. In the next few hours I’ll also be setting up for an outreach event here in southern Australia where the local temperature is currently +35C. At least my scope will be next to an ice cream shop.🍦🔭
Ideal weather conditions on Boxing Day provided a great opportunity for Astronomy outreach, allowing us to share telescopic views of the Moon, Saturn, Neptune and even a red carbon star. 🔭
#stargazing #outreach
#stargazing #outreach
December 28, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Ideal weather conditions on Boxing Day provided a great opportunity for Astronomy outreach, allowing us to share telescopic views of the Moon, Saturn, Neptune and even a red carbon star. 🔭
#stargazing #outreach
#stargazing #outreach
🌒 🪐 The waxing crescent Moon appears close to Saturn over the next few hours. The pair is best seen about an hour or two after sunset with closest approach around 1h UT on December 27th. To spot Saturn, look for the bright yellow "star" a few degrees from the Moon. 🔭
#stargazing
#stargazing
December 27, 2025 at 12:04 AM
🌒 🪐 The waxing crescent Moon appears close to Saturn over the next few hours. The pair is best seen about an hour or two after sunset with closest approach around 1h UT on December 27th. To spot Saturn, look for the bright yellow "star" a few degrees from the Moon. 🔭
#stargazing
#stargazing
The December solstice occurs at 15:01 UT (now) on December 21st 2025. This is the instant when the Sun reaches the point farthest south (–23.5°) of the celestial equator marking the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. 🔭
December 21, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The December solstice occurs at 15:01 UT (now) on December 21st 2025. This is the instant when the Sun reaches the point farthest south (–23.5°) of the celestial equator marking the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. 🔭
🌙 The Moon will reach apogee (farthest from Earth) at 6h UT (now) on 17 December. At this time the Moon's distance from Earth will be 406,322 km or 252,477 miles and span an angular size of 29.4 arc-minutes. 🔭
#stargazing
#stargazing
December 17, 2025 at 6:00 AM
🌙 The Moon will reach apogee (farthest from Earth) at 6h UT (now) on 17 December. At this time the Moon's distance from Earth will be 406,322 km or 252,477 miles and span an angular size of 29.4 arc-minutes. 🔭
#stargazing
#stargazing
🌟 While waiting to view the Geminid meteor shower, I took the opportunity to image two supernovae in a pair of distant galaxies. The supernovae were discovered just a few weeks ago soon after their light, travelling for ~200 million years, reached Earth. 🔭 🧪
#supernova #astrophotography
#supernova #astrophotography
December 16, 2025 at 12:18 AM
🌟 While waiting to view the Geminid meteor shower, I took the opportunity to image two supernovae in a pair of distant galaxies. The supernovae were discovered just a few weeks ago soon after their light, travelling for ~200 million years, reached Earth. 🔭 🧪
#supernova #astrophotography
#supernova #astrophotography
Happening now: A massive prominence on the Sun...
#Sun #solarflare 🔭 🧪
Source: www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/goe...
#Sun #solarflare 🔭 🧪
Source: www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/goe...
December 15, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Happening now: A massive prominence on the Sun...
#Sun #solarflare 🔭 🧪
Source: www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/goe...
#Sun #solarflare 🔭 🧪
Source: www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/goe...
🌟 🌘 In a few hours, the waning crescent Moon will pass near Spica, the brightest star in Virgo. Closest approach is at 15h UT on 14 December. The gathering will be visible in the early morning sky.
Spica is located near the ecliptic making for regular close encounters with the Moon. 🔭
Spica is located near the ecliptic making for regular close encounters with the Moon. 🔭
December 14, 2025 at 1:11 PM
🌟 🌘 In a few hours, the waning crescent Moon will pass near Spica, the brightest star in Virgo. Closest approach is at 15h UT on 14 December. The gathering will be visible in the early morning sky.
Spica is located near the ecliptic making for regular close encounters with the Moon. 🔭
Spica is located near the ecliptic making for regular close encounters with the Moon. 🔭
The Geminid Meteor Shower peaks over the next 24 to 48 hours in a broad maximum centred at 8h UT on 14 December. This is the best and most reliable of the annual showers with bright, medium-speed meteors (up to 100+ meteors/hour). 🔭
#stargazing
#stargazing
December 12, 2025 at 11:51 PM
The Geminid Meteor Shower peaks over the next 24 to 48 hours in a broad maximum centred at 8h UT on 14 December. This is the best and most reliable of the annual showers with bright, medium-speed meteors (up to 100+ meteors/hour). 🔭
#stargazing
#stargazing
The Last Quarter Moon of December 2025 photographed a few moments ago from southern Australia. 🔭
#Moon #stargazing
#Moon #stargazing
December 11, 2025 at 9:18 PM
The Last Quarter Moon of December 2025 photographed a few moments ago from southern Australia. 🔭
#Moon #stargazing
#Moon #stargazing
🌗 Last Quarter Moon occurs on December 11th at 20:52 UT (now), marking the onset of moonless evening skies. This is a great time to enjoy stargazing for the next week or so. Go to skymaps.com/tesm/ to download The Evening Sky Map (PDF) and enjoy a night under the stars! 🔭
#stargazing
#stargazing
December 11, 2025 at 8:52 PM
🌗 Last Quarter Moon occurs on December 11th at 20:52 UT (now), marking the onset of moonless evening skies. This is a great time to enjoy stargazing for the next week or so. Go to skymaps.com/tesm/ to download The Evening Sky Map (PDF) and enjoy a night under the stars! 🔭
#stargazing
#stargazing
A test image of the Orion Nebula taken from my light-polluted home just a few metres from a streetlight. Will repeat on the weekend from a dark sky site. 🔭
Imaging rig: skymaps.com/ir0/
#astrophotography
Imaging rig: skymaps.com/ir0/
#astrophotography
December 11, 2025 at 6:55 AM
A test image of the Orion Nebula taken from my light-polluted home just a few metres from a streetlight. Will repeat on the weekend from a dark sky site. 🔭
Imaging rig: skymaps.com/ir0/
#astrophotography
Imaging rig: skymaps.com/ir0/
#astrophotography
On Saturday, I organized a Solar Astronomy event at the local Christmas Fair. Everyone, from children to adults, marveled at the up-close views of sunspots and solar flares. Even Santa and a few elves joined in! #SolarAstronomy #ChristmasFun 🔭
December 7, 2025 at 9:48 PM
On Saturday, I organized a Solar Astronomy event at the local Christmas Fair. Everyone, from children to adults, marveled at the up-close views of sunspots and solar flares. Even Santa and a few elves joined in! #SolarAstronomy #ChristmasFun 🔭
🌟 🌖 Over the next few hours the waning gibbous Moon will pass near Castor and Pollux, the mythical twins of Gemini, and the bright planet Jupiter. The celestial gathering is visible worldwide during the early morning hours. 🔭
#stargazing
#stargazing
December 7, 2025 at 10:14 AM
🌟 🌖 Over the next few hours the waning gibbous Moon will pass near Castor and Pollux, the mythical twins of Gemini, and the bright planet Jupiter. The celestial gathering is visible worldwide during the early morning hours. 🔭
#stargazing
#stargazing
🌕 The Full Moon in December 2025 occurs on the 4th at 23:14 UT (now). A Full Moon within 24 hours of perigee (its closest point to Earth each lunar cycle) can appear up to 7% larger than average. Hence the title "Supermoon". 🔭
December 2025 events: skymaps.com/skycalendar/
December 2025 events: skymaps.com/skycalendar/
December 4, 2025 at 11:14 PM
🌕 The Full Moon in December 2025 occurs on the 4th at 23:14 UT (now). A Full Moon within 24 hours of perigee (its closest point to Earth each lunar cycle) can appear up to 7% larger than average. Hence the title "Supermoon". 🔭
December 2025 events: skymaps.com/skycalendar/
December 2025 events: skymaps.com/skycalendar/