The International Space Station (left, brighter trail) and space shuttle Endeavor cruise across the northern sky at 5:39 p.m. Saturday as seen from Duluth. The two were less than a fist apart. An airplane makes a fainter trail below the pair while yours truly keeps an eye on the excitement. Details: 30mm lens at f/2.8, ISO 400 and 25-second time exposure. Photos: Bob King

I hope you got to see the Space Station-Endeavor duo earlier this evening. 10 minutes before their arrival I was finally able to see the flying tool bag. It came through right on time and on the correct path. It was so funny because the tool kit zipped across the north so quickly, I got the impression someone actually heaved it overboard. It was easy to see in my 10×50 binoculars — one of the dimmer stars but no problem. Did you see it?

Venus (bottom) and Jupiter spice up the evening sky Saturday Nov. 28. If you have binoculars or a telescope, the next two weeks will be your last to observe Jupiter and its four moons before the planet is too close to the sun. Details: 35mm lens at f/2.8, ISO 400 and 2-second exposure.

Jupiter and Venus continue to pique the interest of casual skywatchers. Saturday evening’s second duo couldn’t be missed in the southwest at twilight. When they’re joined by the moon later this weekend and especially on Monday, we’ll get to see the three brightest nighttime objects all gathered together in one place. It’s the highlight of the year for eyeball astronomy. I can’t wait.