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Earth goes through northern solstice this week. Mars went through southern solstice earlier this month.

The morning planets march along.

The moon will pass in front of Spica 20 times now through the end of next year. Find out where to see the first occultation.

Mercury's turn to go behind the sun.

Planet watching continues to be a morning thing.

The sun passes through 13 constellations during the year. The one people are surprised to learn about is the snake-bearer Ophiuchus.

Jupiter and Mercury are very close in the morning sky this week. Not many people will get to see them though.

Venus is hidden behind the sun.

A long snake slithers across the evening sky, taking a bird and a bowl with it. And some sky watchers can see Saturn disappear behind the moon.

Saturn and Mars are easy to spot in the morning. Some people may spot Mercury. The moon occults Antares this week.

And sometimes, successfully finding something in your telescope means blocking something else out. It costs practically nothing to go to the extra trouble.

A star about 3,000 light years away is normally very dim--requiring a telescope and a dark sky to see. About 80 years ago, it flared up to easy naked eye visibility. Some astronomers think it might be about to flare up again.

Also, the moon is about to pass in front of one of the stars in Virgo. The event will be visible from most of a continent.