| December 4th | Mercury at maximum elongation |
| December 13th and 14th | Geminid meteor shower peak prediction |
| December 21st | winter solstice |
| December 22nd and 23rd | Peak of Ursa Minor meteor shower predicted |
| December 26th | full cold moon |
Although we live in the northern hemisphere and are living through the darkest days of the year, the cooler air and less humidity make it the perfect time for stargazing. Here’s what to look out for in the final months of 2023.
December 4th – Mercury’s maximum elongation
The planet Mercury is Farthest from the Sun at 12:26 a.m. EST on December 4th. According to EarthSkyMercury shines at magnitude -0.3 when it is at its maximum. elongation, or angular distance from the sun. Therefore, it is brighter than most stars. Sagittarius It will be in front of the constellation Sagittarius, but most of the stars in this constellation will disappear in the twilight. For the best view, look to the western sky just after sunset.
[Related: A probe destined for Mercury ended up rubbernecking Venus.]
December 13th and 14th – Geminid meteor shower peak predicted
If you are interested in shooting stars, this year’s Geminid meteor shower is not to be missed. This is one of the most reliable annual meteor showers. A stargazer can see up to 120 shooting stars per hour during the peak of the shower if the sky is clear and he is observing from a dark location.
The Geminid meteor shower is It is predicted to reach its peak on December 14th.. However, as the showers pick up in the mid-evening, the meteors should be active throughout the night near their maximum on December 13th and 14th. The young waxing crescent moon will also not interfere with the Geminid meteor shower this year. Showers will begin in the mid-afternoon, peaking around 2 a.m.
December 21 – Winter Solstice
The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere is marked by the winter solstice.of The summer solstice officially arrives on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 10:27pm EST.
Because the Earth is tilted on its axis, on the day of the summer solstice, half of the Earth points away from the sun, and the other half points toward the sun.summer solstice Technically it lasts only a momentwhen the hemisphere (in this case the northern hemisphere) is tilted as far away from the sun as possible.
[Related: What is a solstice? And other questions about the shortest day of the year, answered.]
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, with the least amount of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere on the 21st. After the summer solstice, the days become even longer, and we reach the summer solstice in June.
December 22nd and 23rd – Ursa Minor meteor shower peak predicted
If you missed the Geminid meteor shower, you won’t have to wait too long for another one. This year’s Uruid meteor shower is expected to peak on December 21st and 22nd. According to EarthSky, the Ursa Minoris meteor shower is a little more modest than the Geminid meteor shower, but it’s still worth checking out. There is also a possibility that it will overlap with the Geminid meteor shower.
This year, the waxing moon is likely to disturb the constellation Urus until the moon sets about three hours before sunrise. However, there will be many more hours of darkness, so it’s worth investigating. Under clear skies, about 5 to 10 meteors can occur per hour. Keep your eyes peeled to catch the Ursids. The Big Dipper in Ursa Minor.
December 26 – Full cold moon
The last full moon of the year will appear bright and full on Christmas Day, Illumination peaks at 7:33pm ET on December 26th. The moon’s disk will appear fully illuminated for the next few days, so you can start watching it rise on December 24th and 25th. According to the Old Farmer’s Yearbook, December’s full moon traces a high orbit in the sky. This means it will remain above the horizon longer than most full moons.
December’s full moon is called the cold moon because of the cold air that blankets the northern hemisphere at this time of year.other December full moon names Including Little Spirit Moon; Manidou Gijisoon Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwa), Storytelling Moon, or Hiinaiwi Nuti In the Catawba language of the Catawba Indian Nation of South Carolina, it means “moon of the long night” or worstess In Oneida.
The same sky-gazing rules that apply to almost all stargazing activities are key this month. Go to a dark place, away from city or town lights, and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for about 30 minutes. Let’s hope for sunny skies from now on!
