Explore the night sky this week, featuring "Christmas Crackers," Mercury, and a crescent Moon.
Every Monday, I highlight North America's celestial highlights for the week ahead, applicable to mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Don't forget to check out my main feed for in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses, and more.
The Night Sky This Week: Dec. 23–29, 2024
The bustling holiday season can be tiring, but December is an excellent time for star-gazing, given clear skies. The evenings grow dark early in the Northern Hemisphere, and the sky, especially to the southeast, is a sight to behold. You'll find Orion, with its recognizable Orion's Belt of three bright stars at a vertical rise, flanked by blue Rigel and reddish Betelgeuse. To the north, there's Taurus, with its orangey star Aldebaran and, above, The Pleiades, an open cluster of stars. There are numerous other bright stars and celestial objects waiting to captivate you.
Why postpone your stargazing adventure further? Here's your weekly sky-watching guide:
Tuesday, Dec. 24: Meeting Of The Waning Crescent Moon And Spica
Early risers can enjoy the spectacle of a waning crescent moon drawing near to Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. Spot the pair an hour before sunrise while looking southeast, and keep an eye out for the dim, reddish Mercury and the vibrant star Antares in Scorpius rising beneath this duo.
Friday, Dec. 27: Encounter Of The Waning Crescent Moon, Antares, And Mercury
Another early morning outing will reward you with a sight barely missed – a faint, waning crescent moon, now just 12% illuminated, alongside Antares and Mercury. Take a peek at the trio an hour before sunrise.
Saturday, Dec. 28: Meeting Of The Waning Crescent Moon And Antares
Your last chance to witness a waning crescent moon this morning features a shriveled 6%-lit lunar disk close to Antares in the southeast. Check it out an hour before sunrise once more.
Celestial Object Of The Week: Orion Nebula
Did Santa bring you a telescope this year? Direct your new toy towards the Orion Nebula, or M42, as it's affectionately known as a part of "Orion's Sword" that hangs below the hunter's famous three belt stars.
This diffuse cloud of gas and dust, situated about 1,300 light-years away in the Milky Way, is the brightest nebula and can be spotted with the naked eye under a clear night sky – yet it's otherworldly amazing through a small telescope. Tilt your gaze slightly aside to appreciate its brilliance through your more sensitive peripheral vision, regardless of whether you're observing without aid or using binoculars.
The given timings and dates apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium.
Clear skies and wide-eyed wishes!
The upcoming meteor shower, known as the Geminids, is expected to peak on December 14-15, 2024, making December a doubly wonderful time for stargazing. when is the full moon in December 2024? The full moon in December 2024, also known as the December full moon or cold moon, falls on December 10, but this year, we have an added treat in the form of a supermoon. On the night of the December 10 full moon, the moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth, making it a supermoon. If you're an eager stargazer, don't miss the opportunity to witness the northern lights tonight, as they are often visible in December. Unfortunately, December 2024's new moon, which typically offers excellent conditions for observing deep-sky objects, falls on December 26, which might be a bit challenging due to the holiday season and potential cloud cover. The December 2024 sky is also expected to host a series of celestial events, including the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21.
