by Geoff Chester, USNO Public Affairs | 19 December 2023 NGC 2244, the "Rosette Nebula" in Monoceros, imaged 2021 March 7 at Turner Mountain, Halfway, Virginia with an Explore Scientific AR102 10.2-cm (4-inch) f/6.5 refractor and a Canon EOS Rebel SL2 DSLR ‘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 solstice will pass 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 Moon is now waxing, climbs north in the sky Her full phase approaches as Christmas draws nigh. Her bright light guides Santa as he makes his way While she sheds extra light on the year’s shortest days. Saturn now shines in the twilight’s last glow, With much brighter Jupiter behind him in tow. The ringed planet soon sets in the southwestern sky While Old Jove keeps beaming ‘til the wee hours march by. The Great Winter Circle shines high in the night With bright stars a-twinkling with all of their might. Their colors add contrast to enhance the dark sky While over our heads they waft quietly by. Orion is rising high up in the east, 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. The 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 colorful cohorts all add to the sight. Ten of the brightest of stars in the sky, Light these long nights of winter as Old Sol plays shy. With the solstice now past us we’ll all soon be glad, For the days getting longer than the ones we’ve just had. Catch Venus in twilight before the sunrise Her dazzling glimmer is a treat for the eye. She stays low in the southeast until springtime comes near Then brighten the evenings at Christmas next year. 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 and best wishes for the New Year from all of us at the U.S. Naval Observatory! And my most sincere apologies to Clement Clark Moore.