SKY MAP: The sky from mid-northern latitudes at around 6:30 p.m. local time on Dec. 31, 2008. The best time will vary by location: Go out at or just before sunset and watch for all these objects as the sky begins to darken. Mercury will be the last to appear and the hardest to spot before it sets. Neptune's location is also shown, but it's visible only through a telescope. Credit: Starry Night software
