Embark on a cosmic journey by way of the celestial marvels awaiting us in December 2023. Brace your self for a wide ranging show of meteor showers, planetary alignments, and astronomical spectacles that may adorn the evening sky.
Be a part of us as we discover the wonders of this month’s stargazing calendar, inviting awe and surprise on the splendor of the universe above.
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Abstract of Meteor Showers in December 2023
- Northern Taurids: Begin on October 20; peak on November 12; finish on December 10.
- November Orionids: Begin on November 13; peak on November 28; finish on December 6.
- Phoenicids: Begin on November 28; peak on December 2; finish on December 9.
- December φ-Cassiopeids: Begin on December 1; peak on December 6; finish on December 8.
- Puppid-Velids: Begin on December 1; peak on December 7; finish on December 15.
- Monocerotids: Begin on December 5; peak on December 8; finish on December 20.
- σ-Hydrids: Begin on December 3; peak on December 11; finish on December 15.
- Geminids: Begin on December 4; peak on December 14; finish on December 17.
- Comae Berenicids: Begin on December 12; peak on December 15; finish on December 23.
- December Leonis Minorids: Begin on December 5; peak on December 20; finish on February 4.
- Ursids: Begin on December 17; peak on December 22; finish on December 26.
- Quadrantids: Begin on December 26; peak on January 4; finish on January 12.
- Antihelion Supply: Begin on December 10; a number of peaks; finish September 10.
Abstract of Conjunctions in December 2023
- Conjunction of the Moon and Venus in Virgo on December 9.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury in Sagittarius on December 14.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Aquarius on December 17.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Aries on December 22.
December 2: Phoenicid meteor bathe peak
The Phoenicids are a minor variable charge meteor bathe. The height will occur on December 2, however some meteors must also be seen between November 28 and December 9. They’ll radiate from the constellation of Phoenix on the low common velocity of 18 km/s. The Moon shall be 19 days previous waning gibbous at 66%.
These meteors originate from a stream of fabric from the disintegrating comet 289P/Blanpain (D/1819 W1).
December 4: Mercury at biggest japanese elongation
This shall be an excellent time to watch Mercury shortly after sundown as it should attain its biggest separation from the Solar. Look within the constellation of Sagittarius.
December 6: December φ-Cassiopeid meteor bathe peak
The December Phi Cassiopeiids are a lately found variable charge meteor bathe. It can peak on December 6, however some meteors must also be seen between December 1st and December 8. They’ll radiate from the constellation of Cassiopeia at a really gradual common velocity of 16 km/s. They originate from an unknown Jupiter household comet.
The Moon received’t be interfering with the present an excessive amount of as it will likely be a 23 days previous waning crescent at 29%.
December 7: Puppid-Velid meteor bathe peak
The Puppid-Velids will peak with an zenithal hourly charge (ZHR) of 10 meteors per hour if situations are supreme. The Moon received’t intrude an excessive amount of with remark as it will likely be a 24 days previous waning crescent at 21%.
Some meteors shall be even be seen between December 1st and December 15. They’ll radiate from the constellation of Vela at a median velocity of 40 km/s.
December 8: Monocerotid meteor bathe peak
The Monocerotids are a small meteor bathe that may peak with an hourly common of two meteors if viewing situations are excellent. These situations ought to be fairly good for the reason that Moon shall be a 26 days previous waning crescent at solely 7%.
Some meteors may be noticed between December 5 and December 20. They’ll radiate from the constellation of Monoceros on the velocity of 41 km/s on common.
December 9: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
The Moon and Venus will attain conjunction passing 3°38′ withing one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
Shortly earlier than the conjunction, they may get even nearer to one another at solely 3°18′ of one another however not sharing the identical proper ascension. This is named an appulse.
Each shall be seen within the constellation of Virgo, with the Moon at obvious magnitude -10.3, and Venus at -4.1. The Moon shall be a 26 days previous waning crescent at 8%.
December 11: σ-Hydrid meteor bathe peak
The Sigma Hydrids are a faint meteor bathe with solely 3 meteors per hour on common throughout the peak, assuming optimum viewing situations. On condition that the Moon is barely a day away from a brand new moon, these situations shall be very possible supreme.
Some meteors may be seen between December 3 and December 15. They’ll radiate from the constellation of Hydra at a median velocity of 58 km/s.
December 12: Giant Magellanic Cloud at its highest level within the sky
The Giant Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is a satellite tv for pc galaxy of the Milky Method and the fourth-largest galaxy within the Native Group. The galaxy will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time.
With an obvious magnitude of 0.9, the LMC could be seen with the bare eye, however for higher outcomes I might advocate no less than a pair of ordinary binoculars. Are you able to picture that this small little cloud is dwelling to twenty billion stars? Look within the constellation of Dorado. Fortunately, there shall be no interference from the Moon as a result of it will likely be on the new moon part.
The Giant Magellanic Cloud is positioned 163,000 light-years from us. It has been named after Ferdinand Magellan who noticed it throughout his voyage of circumnavigation of the world in 1519.
December 14: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
The Moon and Mercury will cross inside 4°21′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension, in what is named a conjunction.
The 2 celestial our bodies shall be within the constellation of Sagittarius, with the Moon at obvious magnitude -8.6, and Mercury at 0.5. The Moon shall be a 2 days previous very skinny waxing crescent at 3%. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Mercury at biggest japanese elongation.)
As Mercury is all the time near the Solar, be very cautious to not level binoculars or a telescope immediately on the Solar. This could gravely injury your eyes, even leading to everlasting blindness.
December 14: Geminid meteor bathe peak
The Geminids are one of many largest meteor showers of the yr with as many as 120 meteors per hour on common if situations are supreme. On condition that the Moon shall be 2 days previous and thus simply 2 days after a brand new moon (a waxing crescent at 8%), these situations shall be fairly near supreme.
Some meteors can be seen between December 4 and December 17. They’ll seem to radiate from the constellation of Gemini at a median velocity of 35 km/s.
The Geminids are attributable to the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This asteroid of the Apollo group is an near-Earth object with an orbit that brings it very near the Solar. Because of this it was named after the Greek delusion of Phaëthon, son of the solar god Helios.
December 15: Orion Nebula at its highest level within the sky
The Orion Nebula (also called Messier 42, M42, or NGC 1976) is a diffuse nebula positioned south of Orion’s Belt within the constellation of Orion. It is named the center “star” within the “sword” of Orion. The nebula will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time. (See featured picture on the high of the article.)
With an obvious magnitude of 4.0, the Orion Nebula is tough to see with the bare eye except you’re in a darkish space. Because of this I might advocate no less than a pair of ordinary binoculars. The Moon received’t be interfering a lot with remark as a result of it will likely be a 3 days previous waxing crescent at 17%.
The Orion Nebula is the closest area of huge star formation to Earth at about 1344 light-years away. The nebula is gigantic at 24 light-years throughout and has a mass of about 2000 instances that of our Solar.
December 15: Comae Berenicid meteor bathe peak
The Comae Berenicids are a small meteor bathe with a zenithal hourly charge of solely 3 meteors throughout the peak. Happily, the Moon received’t intrude an excessive amount of with remark as a result of it will likely be a 4 days previous waxing crescent at 22%.
Some meteors may be seen between December 12 and December 23 radiating from the constellation of Coma Berenices on the quick velocity of 65 km/s on common.
December 17: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will attain conjunction by passing inside 2°28′ from one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
Shortly after the conjunction, the Moon and Saturn will cross even nearer to one another at 2°15′ throughout the appulse (shut strategy), however now not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The 2 our bodies will meet in the constellation of Aquarius with an obvious magnitude of -11.5 for the Moon and 0.7 for Saturn. The Moon shall be a 5 days previous waxing crescent at 34%.
December 20: December Leonis Minorid meteor bathe peak
The December Leonis Minorids are a small meteor bathe with solely a median of 5 meteors per hour throughout the peak if situations are excellent. The Moon will intrude considerably as it’s 8 days previous waxing gibbous at 65%.
Some meteors may be seen between December 5 and February 4 radiating from the constellation of Leo Minor on the excessive velocity of 64 km/s on common.
December 21: Asteroid 4 Vesta at opposition
Asteroid 4 Vesta will attain opposition, when it lies reverse to the Solar within the sky. It can attain the best level within the sky round midnight native time, no matter the place you might be on the earth.
Throughout the opposition, Vesta will cross inside 1.583 AU of Earth and attain a peak brightness of magnitude 6.4. Sadly even on the peak of brightness, this asteroid shall be too faint to watch with the bare eye. You will want a pair of ordinary binoculars or a small telescope, which it’s best to level to the constellation of Orion. (Constellation map already proven above when discussing the Orion Nebula.) The Moon shall be 9 days previous waxing gibbous at 77%.
The asteroid was found in 1807 by the German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers who named it after Vesta, the virgin goddess of dwelling and fireside in Roman mythology.
Vesta is the second-largest asteroid, each by mass and by quantity, after the dwarf planet Ceres. It has a imply diameter of about 525 km and orbits the Solar at 2.36 AU (semi-major axis) which takes 3.63 years to finish. (Supply: NASA JPL Small-Body Database Lookup for 4 Vesta)
December 21: December Solstice
The December solstice will happen at 03:24 UTC. It will likely be the shortest day and starting of winter within the northern hemisphere and the longest day and starting of summer time within the southern hemisphere.
December 22: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter shall be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 2°36′ of one another.
At across the similar time the 2 our bodies may even make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 2°22′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The 2 celestial our bodies will meet within the constellation Aries with the Moon at obvious magnitude of -12.5 and Jupiter at -2.7. The Moon shall be 10 days previous and waxing gibbous at 83%.
December 22: Asteroid 9 Metis at opposition
Asteroid 9 Metis will attain opposition, when it lies reverse to the Solar within the sky. It can attain the best level within the sky round midnight native time.
On this event, Metis will cross inside 1.119 AU of Earth and attain a peak brightness of magnitude 8.4. Sadly even on the peak, this asteroid shall be too faint to watch with the bare eye. You will want no less than a 4 inch telescope, which it’s best to level to the constellation of Gemini. (The constellation map has already been proven above whereas discussing the Geminid meteor bathe.) The Moon shall be 10 days previous and waxing gibbous at 85%.
Metis was found in 1848 by Irish astronomer Andrew Graham, who named it after Mētis, one of many Oceanids and first spouse of Zeus.
It is without doubt one of the bigger main-belt asteroids at about 190 km in imply diameter. It orbits the Solar at 2.387 AU (semi-major axis) which takes 3.687 years to finish. (Supply: NASA JPL Small-Body Database Lookup for 9 Metis)
December 22: Ursid meteor bathe peak
The Ursids will peak with a zenithal hourly charge of 10 meteors if situations are optimum. Sadly that received’t fairly be the case because the Moon will provide some interference. It will likely be 11 days previous and waxing gibbous at 89%.
Some meteors may be noticed between December 17 and December 26. They’ll radiate from the constellation of Ursa Minor on the velocity of 33 km/s on common.
The mother or father physique of the Ursid meteor bathe has been recognized as comet 8P/Tuttle (also called Tuttle’s Comet or Comet Tuttle). It’s a periodic comet with a 13.6-year orbit. Curiously in 2008, this comet has been discovered to be a contact binary due to radar observations by the Arecibo Observatory. A contact binary consists of two our bodies which have gravitated towards one another till touching, giving it a peanut-like form.
December 24: Shut strategy of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades (also called M45 or Messier 45) will make a detailed strategy, passing inside solely 57.2 arcminutes of one another.
Each objects shall be within the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at obvious magnitude -12.6; and the Pleiades at 1.3. The Moon shall be 12 days previous and waxing gibbous at 95%.
December 25: Comet 62P/Tsuchinshan at perihelion
The comet 62P/Tsuchinshan will attain perihelion on December 25, that means it should attain the closest level in its orbit to the Solar at a distance of 1.27 AU. At the moment it will likely be at 0.53 AU from Earth. Regardless of this, it should have an obvious magnitude of solely 10.5, so that you’ll want a big telescope to watch this comet. You probably have entry to such a telescope, look within the constellation of Leo.
December 27: Asteroid 5 Astraea at opposition
Asteroid 5 Astraea will attain opposition, when it lies reverse to the Solar within the sky. It can attain the best level within the sky round midnight native time.
At the moment, Astraea will cross inside 1.216 AU of Earth and attain a peak brightness of magnitude 9.4. Sadly even on the peak brightness, this asteroid shall be too faint to watch with the bare eye. You will want no less than a 4 inch telescope or bigger, which it’s best to level to the constellation of Orion. (Constellation map already proven above when discussing the Orion Nebula.) Sadly the Moon will intrude with remark a bit as it will likely be solely a day after full moon or 15 days previous waning gibbous at 97%.
The asteroid Astraea was found in 1845 by German astronomer Karl Ludwig Hencke, who named it after Astraea, a Greek goddess of justice.
It’s a massive and brilliant asteroid positioned in the primary asteroid belt with a imply diameter of about 107 km. It orbits the Solar at 2.577 AU (semi-major axis) which takes 4.137 years to finish. (Supply: NASA JPL Small-Body Database Lookup for 5 Astraea)
December 30: Rosette Nebula at its highest level within the sky
The Rosette Nebula (also called Caldwell 49 or NGC 2237) is an emission nebula about 5200 light-years away. The nebula will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time. Look within the constellation of Monoceros. (The constellation map has already been present above, whereas discussing the Monocerotid meteor bathe.)
With an obvious magnitude of 4.3, the Rosette Nebula is finest noticed with no less than a pair of ordinary binoculars or a telescope for extra element. Sadly the Moon shall be interfering with remark as a result of it will likely be 18 days previous waning gibbous at 80%.
Moon Phases in December 2023
As you understand, the Moon has a huge impact on the visibility of celestial our bodies within the evening sky. So listed below are the Moon’s phases for this month:
Positions of the Planets in December 2023
Mercury: The closest planet to the Solar could be seen at daybreak and nightfall travelling throughout the constellation of Sagittarius. This planet, being the closest to the Solar, will seem to maneuver shortly within the evening sky and its place will change within the following weeks.
Venus: The sister planet could be seen travelling throughout the constellation of Virgo. Identical to Mercury, Venus can solely be seen at daybreak and nightfall.
Mars: The crimson planet could be seen within the constellation of Scorpius.
Jupiter: The gasoline large is seen within the constellation of Aries. Jupiter can simply be noticed with the bare eye, even in extremely illuminated cities.
Saturn: The ringed large could be seen with the bare eye within the constellation of Aquarius.
Uranus: The ice large could be seen within the constellation of Aries with using a telescope.
Neptune: The blue large requires a telescope pointed within the constellation of Aquarius in an effort to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Giant Asteroids in December 2023
Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet could be seen within the constellation of Libra with the assistance of a telescope.
Vesta: This massive asteroid could be seen within the constellation of Orion with a telescope.
Pallas: The asteroid could be noticed with a telescope within the constellation of Virgo.
Pluto: This distant dwarf planet could be discovered within the constellation of Sagittarius with the assistance of a giant telescope.
Main astronomical occasions subsequent month – January 2024
- January 4 – Quadrantid meteor bathe peak.
- January 19 – Asteroid 354 Eleonora at opposition.
- January 20 – γ-Ursae Minorid meteor bathe peak.
Conclusion
December 2023’s celestial showcase is a shocking tapestry of meteor showers, planetary alignments, and cosmic phenomena. From the radiant Geminids to the majestic Orion Nebula, every occasion affords a glimpse into the grandeur of the universe. Because the yr attracts to a detailed, these celestial shows go away an awe-inspiring mark, reminding us of the vastness and wonder past our skies.
Take pleasure in these celestial wonders and don’t neglect to subscribe to our e-newsletter under to obtain our stargazing calendar in your mailbox.
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