December 2024 gives an exciting expertise for astronomy fanatics, as stargazing this month reveals mesmerizing meteor showers, planetary alignments, and breathtaking views of vibrant nebulas.
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Checklist of Meteor Showers in December 2024
- Antihelion Supply: Begin on December 10; a number of peaks; finish September 10.
- 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.
We even have a whole checklist of meteor showers for your entire yr of 2024 right here.
Checklist of Planetary Conjunctions in December 2024
- Conjunction of the Moon and Venus in Sagittarius on December 4.
- Conjunction of Ceres and Pluto in Capricornus on December 5.
- Conjunction of Venus and Pluto in Capricornus on December 7.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Aquarius on December 8.
- Conjunction of Venus and Ceres in Capricornus on December 8.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Taurus on December 14.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Most cancers on December 18.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury in Ophiuchus on December 25.
December 2: Phoenicid meteor bathe peak
The Phoenicids are a variable meteor bathe. Though the height is on December 2, some meteors is also noticed between November 28 and December 9.
The meteors will radiate from the constellation of Phoenix on the quite gradual common pace of 18 km/s. Fortuitously stargazing situations will probably be fairly near preferrred this starting of the month of December 2024 as a result of the Moon will probably be solely a in the future previous waxing crescent at 1%.
December 4: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
The Moon and Venus will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 2°15′ of one another.
Round an hour later, the 2 our bodies can even make a detailed method (appulse) reaching 2°11′ from one another, however now not sharing the identical proper ascension.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Sagittarius. The Moon will probably be a really skinny waxing crescent (17%) at 3 days previous and won’t intervene a lot. Regardless of this, the Moon will nonetheless be at obvious magnitude of -10.5, whereas Venus will probably be at magnitude -4.2.
December 5: Conjunction of Ceres and Pluto
The dwarf planets Ceres and Pluto will attain conjunction passing inside 3°50′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
Ceres will probably be at obvious magnitude 9.2 and Pluto at magnitude 15.2 each within the constellation of Capricornus. Given how dim these two dwarf planets are, a telescope can be advisable. Alternatively, they are going to be too broadly separated to suit inside the subject of view of a telescope, however will match with binoculars. Nevertheless solely Ceres may be seen with binoculars, so it’s a moot level. No less than the Moon received’t intervene a lot with observations as it is going to be a 4 days previous waxing crescent at 26%.
December 6: December φ-Cassiopeid meteor bathe peak
The December Phi-Cassiopeids, a lately found small variable charge meteor bathe, will peak on December 6.
Some meteors may additionally be noticed between December 1 and eight. They’ll radiate from the constellation of Cassiopeia on the quite gradual pace of 16 km/s on common.
December 6: Jupiter at perigee
The perigee is the purpose within the orbit of Jupiter at which it’s nearest to the Earth. It is going to go as shut as 4.09 AU of us and attain a most brightness of obvious magnitude -2.8. Look within the constellation of Taurus. The Moon will probably be 5 days previous or waxing crescent at 31%.
At each perigee there may be additionally an opposition at almost the identical time. Jupiter will probably be at opposition on December 7.
December 6: Puppid-Velid meteor bathe peak
The Puppid-Velids will peak with 10 meteors per hour on common (zenithal hourly charge), assuming preferrred viewing situations. Fortuitously the viewing situations will probably be decently near preferrred as a result of the Moon will probably be a 5 days previous waxing crescent at 37%.
Some meteors may also be seen between December 1 and 15, radiating from the constellation of Vela on the common pace of 40 km/s.
December 6: Mars enters retrograde movement
Mars will start retrograde movement, which implies it can cease touring eastward by way of the constellations and as a substitute flip to journey west. The entire outer planets within the photo voltaic system periodically expertise this orientation reversal, which happens a number of months earlier than they attain opposition.
Historic observers have been troubled by retrograde movement as a result of it didn’t match with their perception in uniform round orbits across the Earth. The phenomenon is definitely as a result of Earth’s orbit across the Solar, which shifts our perspective and causes planets to look to maneuver backwards and forwards within the sky whereas persevering with their general eastward path by way of the constellations.
Mars may be noticed within the constellation of Most cancers with an obvious magnitude of -0.6.
December 7: Conjunction of Venus and Pluto
Venus and dwarf planet Pluto will attain conjunction passing inside 53′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
Venus will probably be at obvious magnitude -4.2 and Pluto at magnitude 15.2 each within the constellation of Capricornus. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of Ceres and Pluto on December 5.) A telescope can be wanted to see Pluto. No less than the Moon received’t intervene that a lot with observations as it is going to be a 6 days previous waxing crescent at 45%.
December 7: Neptune ends retrograde movement
Neptune will finish retrograde movement, which implies it can cease touring westward by way of the constellations and as a substitute return to the extra typical eastward movement as a substitute.
Neptune may be noticed within the constellation of Pisces with an obvious magnitude of seven.9.
December 8: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will attain conjunction passing inside 18′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
At across the similar time the 2 our bodies can even make a detailed method (appulse) reaching 16.3 arcminutes from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension. In some elements of Japan and jap Philippines this distance will probably be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Saturn, which means the Moon will go in entrance of Saturn thereby hiding it from view briefly.
The Moon will probably be at obvious magnitude -11.9 and Saturn at magnitude 0.8 each within the constellation of Aquarius. The Moon will probably be 7 days previous waxing gibbous at 52%.
December 8: Conjunction of Venus and Ceres
Venus and dwarf planet Ceres will attain conjunction passing inside 4°44′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
Venus will probably be at obvious magnitude -4.2 and Ceres at magnitude 9.2 each within the constellation of Capricornus. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of Ceres and Pluto on December 5.) The 2 our bodies will probably be too broadly separated to suit inside the subject of view of a telescope, however will match with binoculars. The Moon will probably be 7 days previous waxing gibbous at 54%.
December 8: Monocerotid meteor bathe peak
The Monocerotids are a small meteor bathe with 2 meteors on common in the course of the peak if situations are good. Some meteors is also noticed between December 5 and 20.
The meteors will seem to radiate from the constellation of Monoceros on the common pace of 41 km/s.
December 11: σ-Hydrid meteor bathe peak
The Sigma Hydrids are a small meteor bathe with 3 meteors on common in the course of the peak if situations are good, which sadly received’t be the case as a result of Moon being 10 days previous waxing gibbous at 88%.
Some meteors is also noticed between December 3 and 15. They’ll seem to radiate from the constellation of Hydra on the common pace 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. It’s positioned 163,000 light-years from us. The galaxy will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time.
With an obvious magnitude of 0.9, the LMC may be seen with the bare eye, however for higher outcomes I might suggest not 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. Sadly, the Moon will begin to intervene with stargazing fairly a bit this center of December 2024 as a result of it is going to be 11 days previous waxing gibbous at 95%.
December 13: Shut method of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades (also referred to as M45 or Messier 45) will make a detailed method, passing inside solely 9.8 arcminutes of one another.
Each objects will probably be within the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at obvious magnitude -12.7 ; and the Pleiades at 1.3. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Jupiter at perigee on December 6.) The Moon will probably be 12 days previous and waxing gibbous at 98%.
December 14: Geminid meteor bathe peak
The Geminids (see featured picture on the prime of the article) are one of many largest meteor showers of the yr with as many as 120 meteors per hour on common if situations are preferrred. Sadly, provided that the Moon will probably be 13 days previous waxing gibbous at 99%, these situations won’t be very preferrred.
Some meteors may also be seen between December 4 and December 17. They’ll seem to radiate from the constellation of Gemini at a mean pace of 35 km/s. The Geminids originate from particles left by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon.
December 14: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 5°28′ of one another.
At across the similar time the 2 our bodies can even make a detailed method (appulse) reaching 5°25′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The 2 celestial our bodies will meet within the constellation Taurus with the Moon at obvious magnitude of -12.8 and Jupiter at -2.8. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Jupiter at perigee on December 6.) The Moon will probably be 13 days previous and waxing gibbous at 99%.
December 14: Asteroid 15 Eunomia at opposition
Asteroid 15 Eunomia will probably be at opposition when it lies reverse to the Solar within the sky. It is going to attain the very best level within the sky round midnight native time, no matter the place you’re on the earth.
Look within the constellation of Auriga. Eunomia will go inside 1.304 AU of Earth, reaching a peak brightness of magnitude 8.2. You will want binoculars or perhaps a telescope to watch it. Eunomia is a really massive asteroid (round 270 km in diameter) within the interior asteroid belt and the most important of the stony (S-type) asteroids.
December 14: Orion Nebula at its highest level within the sky
The Orion Nebula (also referred to as Messier 42, M42, or NGC 1976) is a diffuse nebula positioned south of Orion’s Belt within the constellation of Orion. It is called the center “star” within the “sword” of Orion. The nebula will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time.
With an obvious magnitude of 4.0, the Orion Nebula is tough to see with the bare eye until you’re in a darkish space. For this reason I might suggest not less than a pair of ordinary binoculars.
December 15: Comae Berenicid meteor bathe peak
The Comae Berenicids are a small meteor bathe with a zenithal hourly charge of solely 3 meteors in the course of the peak. However sadly, the Moon will intervene as it is going to be 14 days previous waning gibbous at 98%.
Some meteors may additionally be seen between December 12 and December 23 radiating from the constellation of Coma Berenices on the quick pace of 65 km/s on common.
December 18: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
The Moon and Mars will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 54′ of one another.
Across the similar time, the 2 our bodies can even make a detailed method (appulse) reaching 52′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension. In some northern territories of Canada, Greenland, jap Russia and Alaska this distance will probably be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Mars, which means the Moon will go in entrance of Mars thereby hiding it from view briefly.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Most cancers. The Moon will probably be waning gibbous (66%) at 19 days previous. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Mars coming into retrograde movement on December 6.) The Moon will probably be at obvious magnitude of -12.6, whereas Mars will probably be at magnitude -0.9.
December 20: December Leonis Minorid meteor bathe peak
The December Leonis Minorids are a small meteor bathe with solely a mean of 5 meteors per hour in the course of the peak if situations are good. The Moon will intervene considerably as it’s 18 days previous waning gibbous at 74%.
Some meteors may additionally be seen between December 5 and February 4 radiating from the constellation of Leo Minor on the excessive pace of 64 km/s on common.
December 21: December Solstice
The December solstice will happen at 09:20 UTC. It is going to be the shortest day and starting of winter within the northern hemisphere and the longest day and starting of summer season within the southern hemisphere.
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 supply some interference. It is going to be 21 days previous waning gibbous at 50%.
Some meteors may additionally be noticed between December 17 and December 26. They’ll radiate from the constellation of Ursa Minor on the pace of 33 km/s on common.
The dad or mum physique of the Ursid meteor bathe has been recognized as comet 8P/Tuttle (also referred to as Tuttle’s Comet or Comet Tuttle). It’s a periodic comet with a 13.6-year orbit. Apparently in 2008, this comet has been discovered to be a contact binary.
December 25: Mercury at best western elongation
Mercury will probably be at its highest level above the horizon within the morning sky, making it the perfect time to view the planet. Search for it low within the jap sky simply earlier than dawn.
It is going to be at obvious magnitude -0.4 within the constellation of Ophiuchus. The Moon will probably be 24 days previous, waning crescent at 24%.
December 25: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
The Moon and Mercury will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 6°23′ of one another.
The 2 celestial our bodies will meet within the constellation of Ophiuchus. The Moon will probably be at obvious magnitude -9.0 for and Mercury at -0.4. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Mercury at best western elongation on December 25.) The Moon will probably be a 28 days previous, very skinny waning crescent at 1% and won’t intervene a lot with stargazing this finish of December 2024.
December 29: Rosette Nebula at its highest level within the sky
The Rosette Nebula (also referred to as 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 peak on December 8.)
With an obvious magnitude of 4.3, the Rosette Nebula is finest noticed with not less than a pair of ordinary binoculars or a telescope for extra element.
Moon Phases in December 2024
As you recognize, the Moon has a big effect on the visibility of celestial our bodies and astronomical occasions within the night time sky. So that can assist you with stargazing, right here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of December 2024:
Positions of the Planets in December 2024
- Mercury: The closest planet to the Solar may be seen at daybreak and nightfall travelling throughout the constellation of Ophiuchus. This planet, being the closest to the Solar, will seem to maneuver rapidly within the night time sky and its place will change within the following weeks.
- Venus: The sister planet may be seen travelling throughout the constellation of Sagittarius and later Capricornus. Identical to Mercury, Venus can solely be seen at daybreak and nightfall.
- Mars: The purple planet may be seen within the constellation of Most cancers later within the month.
- Jupiter: The fuel large is seen within the constellation of Taurus. Jupiter can simply be noticed with the bare eye, even in extremely illuminated cities.
- Saturn: The ringed large may be seen with the bare eye within the constellation of Aquarius.
- Uranus: The ice large may be seen within the constellation of Taurus with the usage of a telescope.
- Neptune: The blue large requires a telescope pointed within the constellation of Pisces as a way to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Giant Asteroids in December 2024
- Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet may be seen within the constellation of Capricornus with the assistance of a telescope.
- Vesta: This massive asteroid may be seen within the constellation of Virgo with a telescope.
- Pallas: The asteroid may be noticed with a telescope within the constellation of Ophiuchus.
- Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid may be discovered with a telescope within the constellation of Pisces.
- Pluto: This distant dwarf planet may be discovered within the constellation of Capricornus with the assistance of a big telescope.
Main astronomical occasions subsequent month – January 2025
- January 3: Asteroid 14 Irene at opposition
- January 4: Quadrantids meteor bathe peak
- January 12: Mars at perigee
- January 13: Asteroid 887 Alinda at opposition
- January 13: Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) at perigee & perihelion
- January 16: Mars at opposition
- January 20: γ-Ursae Minorids meteor bathe peak
- January 30: Uranus ends retrograde movement
Conclusion
December 2024 gives a spectacular array of stargazing occasions, from meteor showers and planetary conjunctions to nebulae at their peak visibility. Mark your calendars and put together your telescopes for an unforgettable stargazing expertise.
To make sure you don’t miss out on any celestial happenings, join our publication to obtain stargazing calendars and extra updates. Clear skies!
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