Over the next several days Mars will catch up with and then pass by Neptune coming within less than 0.5^o on December 31^st. Mars moves at a daily rate of about 0.5^o while Neptune moves about 0.006^o each day. If you were on Mars observing Neptune you would see Neptune begin its retrograde motion. Interestingly from here on Earth Neptune has just ended its retrograde motion. It’s all relative as somebody probably said.
   Both planets will be above the southwestern at sunset local time with only Mars being visible without the use of an optical aid.
   Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková may be bright enough to be visible with binoculars and certainly with a telescope, and definitely should make for an interesting picture with the waxing crescent Moon nearby.
   
   
   
   

Click here to go to the Qué tal in the Current Skies web site for monthly observing information, or here to return to bobs-spaces.