The December Night Sky Is Giving Us a Holiday Show
By: Jennifer Mittler-Lee
Tags: Nature, Science, Astronomy, Education, Outdoors

The December Night Sky Is Giving Us a Holiday Show

Image/Free Photos/Pixabay

If you were one of the unlucky ones with clouds obstructing their view of the Geminids meteor shower, don’t worry. December still has plenty in store for both front porch gawkers and hardcore stargazers.

Geminid Meteor Shower

Each year from December 4th to the 17th, the night sky puts on a fantastic display.

The Geminids are one of the brightest and most reliable showers of the year. At an average rate of 50–100 meteors per hour, the average viewer should have no problem spotting these streaks of light whizzing across the sky.

The Geminids’ radiant point will be near the star Castor in the Gemini constellation, but the meteors can be seen in any part of the sky. They usually peak around 2 AM, but due to the new moon this year, they should be visible all night long.

Image/Andrew Coles/Pixabay

Cosmic Triangle

Saturn and Jupiter have been teasing us all month as they dance ever closer together. On the 16th through the 18th, they ask the crescent moon to join the party.

These three celestial bodies will form a triangle once the moon is high in the night sky. Get your cameras ready as this trio is certain to be a unique photo opportunity. After the 18th, the three will begin to drift apart once more.

Winter Solstice

On December 21st, the Northern Winter Solstice will begin at 10:02 GMT. This momentous day marks the shortest day of the year in terms of sunlight. The solstice is also when the sun is the lowest at noon.

So for those who are tired of darkness appearing around 4:30 PM, cheer up. From this day forward, we will slowly gain more sunlight. Spring is right around the corner.

Image/Pexels/Pixabay

Great Conjunction aka Winter Star aka Christmas Star

Also on December 21st is the day that Jupiter finally wins over Saturn. After weeks of courting, they embrace for a single night before going their separate ways.

What does this mean to you? These two planets will appear as a single bright object, visible to the naked eye. That’s right — no telescope or fancy equipment required.

This year’s conjunction is a really big deal.

Though they occur every 20 years, the two planets haven’t been this close since the astronomer Galileo gazed up into the sky in 1623. And this conjunction is the closest observable one since 1226.

In fact, we won’t see another conjunction of this magnitude until 2080.

Ursid Meteor Shower

If you just happened to be up before dawn on the 22nd (perhaps last-minute shopping), take a peek outside.

Though not as spectacular as the Geminids, the Ursid shower can produce 5 to 10 meteors per hour.

The meteors are visible in any part of the night sky, but the majority will originate around the Little Dipper. Consider them a holiday gift from the comet 8P/Tuttle.

Image/Ursula Aust/Pixabay

Full Oak Moon aka Cold Moon aka Long Nights Moon

December 30th marks the month’s full moon.

Wintertime full moons are always spectacular. They tend to rise at sunset and sets at sunrise and are so bright they can cast shadows just like the sun.

December’s full moon appears near the constellation of Gemini. But why is it referred to by so many names?

Early Europeans referred to the full moon before the solstice as the Oak Moon (or Full Oak Moon). This may come from the fact that mistletoe was harvested from oak trees and the light of the full moon was sufficient to see by.

The more practical name Cold Moon comes from the Algonquin tribes of North America because obviously, the weather in December is cold! The Native Americans also referred to it as the Frost or Winter Moon.

So be sure to take advantage of December’s many celestial gifts. Grab a telescope and a camera, bundle up, and bring plenty of hot chocolate.

Stargazing is best done in an environment without light pollution, so if you live in the city, you may want to consider a quick drive out of town. The experience is sure to be worth it.