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I seem to be posting a lot of space stuff these days, and here's one more. On January 26, an asteroid with the warm and fuzzy name 2004 BL86 will be zipping past us, so close (745,000 miles) and so bright that we'll be able to see it with a small telescope or maybe even binoculars. It's pretty big ~ about a third of a mile across ~ and is, in fact, the largest asteroid to come that close to us until 2027 (and it's even bigger than that one). You may want to get to know it because, apparently, while it poses no risk to us this time, it will be revisiting us in about 200 years and could collide with Earth at that time: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/01/150123-starstruck-asteroid-flyby-astronomy/
   Here's an interactive map showing the best places in Southern California to get a good view of the night sky and its delights: http://www.kcet.org/living/travel/socal_wanderer/night-sky/stargazing/the-65-best-night-sky-spots-in-southern-california-for-stargazing.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=night-sky&utm_campaign=kcet