Planets, winter stars and Geminid meteors in Dec. 2024 skywatching

December's night sky offers a variety of celestial events, including bright planets like Venus, Jupiter, and Mars, as well as the emergence of winter constellations like Orion and Gemini. The Geminid meteor shower peaks on December 14th, although the nearly full moon may obscure some fainter meteors, offering opportunities for skywatching throughout the month.

Visible Planets and Winter Constellations

• 00:00:05 Venus, Jupiter, and Mars will be exceptionally bright throughout December, offering excellent viewing opportunities. Jupiter reaches opposition on December 7th, making it the brightest it will be all year, while Mars steadily increases in brightness as it approaches its own opposition in January. The winter constellations, including Orion, Taurus, and Gemini, become increasingly prominent in the evening sky, showcasing celestial objects like the Crab Nebula and Orion Nebula.

Geminid Meteor Shower

• 00:02:42 The Geminid meteor shower peaks on the night of December 14th, typically providing one of the best meteor showers of the year. However, the presence of a nearly full moon may limit the visibility of fainter meteors. Despite the moon's interference, bright meteors are still expected, and viewers may observe shooting stars for up to a week before and after the peak, particularly in the pre-dawn hours.