First the bad news ...

There is good news and bad news for this week. Let's get the bad news out of the way first.

The celestial viewing this week won't be that good, the moon will be full tomorrow and will pretty much wipe out any viewing opportunities, at least in the early evening for the next few days.

Up until Nov. 10 -- when the moon will rise after 10 p.m. MST -- the bright light of the full moon will wash out the sky and make any early evening attempt at viewing almost impossible.

One thing can be viewed in spite of the full moon, and that is the planet Mars. Look in the southwest about an hour after local sunset (which in southwest Nebraska will be at about 6 p.m. MST now that Daylight Savings Time is out of the way).

The reddish planet is near the top star on the lid of the Teapot asterism that is the constellation Sagittarius. As discussed last week, the nice little star cluster, M22, the Sagittarius Cluster is just up and to the left of Mars in the same binocular field of view.

Just to the lower left of Mars, about a field of view and a half, is a spectacular pair of nebula, M8, the Lagoon Nebula and M20, the Trifid Nebula.

While both are nice sights in binoculars, use a telescope--even a small one--to get a better view.

Another object is near Mars, but don't hold any hope of seeing it unless you have a ginormous telescope, and that is the very small planet Pluto on the outer edge of the solar system.

Tonight, Wednesday, Nov. 5, Pluto lies directly above Mars and five days later Mars will move to directly left of Pluto. You might not be able to see it, but it is nice to know where it is.

The gas giant planet, Jupiter, rises just after midnight local time, and will be in good position for viewing. Since the moon will be on the other side of the sky, it won't interfere with any viewing.

If you don't like midnight, try about an hour before sunrise when Jupiter will be very high in the south.

The bright star to Jupiter's left is Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, the Lion. Regulus is the dot at the bottom of the backwards question mark that indicates Leo's head and mane. Use a telescope to track the four Galilean moons of Jupiter.

The two outer ice giant planets, Uranus and Neptune, are well placed for viewing, if you know where to find them. If we wait for the moon to pass by, we will be able to use it for a marker late in the month and in early December, so we will place them on hold for a while.

I don't always recommend meteor watching because meteor showers can be very unpredictable, however, I will make an exception for the Leonids. The Leonid shower will peak on the evening of Monday, Nov. 17, and the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 18.

After midnight on Nov. 18, will be the best for viewing because that is when the radiant -- the place where the meteors appear to be coming -- will be above the horizon.

If you wait until 4 a.m. MST, a very slender crescent moon will rise, but it should not interfere with meteor viewing.

The hourly rate for the Leonids is not that great, only five to seven per hour, but they are known for producing some spectacular fireballs which leave smoky trails.

So, find a very dark-sky place, a blanket or reclining lawn chair (which is my preference), dress warm, and bring your favorite hot beverage, and some friends. Meteor showers are always more fun with a group.

SKYWATCH: Full moon, Thursday, Nov. 6.

NEXT WEEK: More astronomical blathering.