by Geoff Chester, USNO Public Affairs | 21 December 2021 ‘Tis the Night Before Christmas and up in the dome We eagerly wait for the nightfall to come. The slit has been opened, the lens cap’s been stowed The night sky awaits like a wide-open road. The Moon is now waning through spring’s rising stars By dawn on the New Year she approaches red Mars. Last Quarter Moon on the 26th falls Then wanes to a crescent as morning light calls. The solstice just passed on the 21st day The Sun’s southernmost point on his orbital way. The year’s longest nights are upon us right now But they start to get longer when the Yule log’s aglow. The Great Winter Circle shines bright in the night With bright stars a-twinkling with all of their might. Their colors add contrast to enhance the dark sky While far down below they’re a treat for the eye. Bright Venus still dazzles in eve twilight’s dusk glow She soon will be quickly removed from the show. By New Year’s she’s close to the bright solar glare, You’ll find her in mornings throughout the next year. Jupiter shines in the early eve’s light With much fainter Saturn much harder to sight. Old Jove seems to linger as next year begins, While Saturn sets early from orbital whims. Orion is rising high in the southeast, Shield raised in defiance of Taurus the beast. The Great Winter Circle surrounds his bold shape, While faithful dog Canis leaps up in his wake. Late night brings Sirius, the Dog Star on high, By New Year’s he transits as midnight draws nigh. The brightest of stars warm the long winter’s night, His cohorts all add to the breathtaking sight. Nine of the brightest of stars in the sky, Light these dark nights of winter as Old Sol plays shy. But the solstice is past us and now we are glad, For the days getting longer than the ones we’ve just had. The stars of the springtime rise late in the night With a singular bright one to cause you delight. Arcturus appears in the northeast late night Then climbs ever higher by twilight’s first light. The first stars of summer rise just before dawn With the faint glow of Mars just tagging along. The red planet lingers throughout the whole year Then brightens to dazzle when next Christmas is here. So Peace to your families, neighbors, and friends, We wish you the best that the holiday sends. The stars mark the comings and goings of time, So stop to enjoy them, and so ends my rhyme. Happy Holidays from all of us at the U.S. Naval Observatory!