STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The December night sky will have many celestial highlights: One of the best meteor showers of the year, a full cold moon and a bright planet alongside a crescent moon are just some of the beautiful shows to be enjoyed this month, the Farmer’s Almanac says.
Here’s a guide to the December night sky, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
Venus dazzles as a morning star in the east throughout December. It rises three to four hours before sunrise.
Dec. 4 – Mercury
Mercury reaches greatest elongation east this evening, when it sets in the southwest, approximately one hour after sunset.
From now through Dec. 13, the planet is visible six degrees above the southwest horizon a half hour after sunset.
Dec. 5 – Last Quarter Moon
The last quarter moon occurs at 12:49 a.m.
Dec. 9 – Venus And The Crescent Moon
Look low toward the east-southeast this morning at around 5 to catch Venus and a slender crescent Moon. (Venus will be about four degrees to the upper left of the moon.)
Dec. 12 – New Moon
The new moon occurs at 6:32 p.m.
At around 10:30 p.m., look overhead and you will see the brilliant golden yellow star Capella in the constellation of Auriga, the Charioteer.
Dec. 13, Dec. 14 – Catch A Shooting Star!
Bundle up! One of the best meteor showers of the year awaits you in the December sky, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. The Geminid Meteor Shower, also known as “The Gems,” will reach peak activity between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. on Dec.13 and Dec.14. You may see one meteor per minute streak across the sky!
The Geminids have a reputation for long, slow, graceful yellowish meteors and occasional fireballs. The moon will be absent from the sky this year, and the frosty air is likely to be especially transparent.
Shooting stars from this shower also may be visible from Dec. 4 through Dec.12, and Dec. 15 through Dec.17, but rates will be much less — approximately two meteors per hour.
Dec. 17 – Saturn and the Moon
Look south after sunset to see Saturn…
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