{"id":791651,"date":"2024-12-02T14:06:01","date_gmt":"2024-12-02T19:06:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=791651"},"modified":"2024-12-02T14:06:01","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T19:06:01","slug":"stargazing-calendar-for-december-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=791651","title":{"rendered":"Stargazing Calendar for December 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10378\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10378\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10378\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Geminids meteor shower over Kitt Peak National Observatory. Credit: KPNO\/NOIRLab\/NSF\/AURA\/R. Sparks (NSF\u2019s NOIRLab). License: CC BY 4.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>December 2024 offers a thrilling experience for astronomy enthusiasts, as stargazing this month reveals mesmerizing meteor showers, planetary alignments, and breathtaking views of vibrant nebulas.<\/p>\n<div class=\"342c8a430808ee5770f45cb96cddd88b\" data-index=\"2\" style=\"float: none; margin:10px 0 10px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<h5 align=\"left\">Would you like to be notified of stargazing events?<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"List_of_Meteor_Showers_in_December_2024\"\/>List of Meteor Showers in December 2024<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Antihelion Source<\/strong>: Start on December 10; multiple peaks; end September 10.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Northern Taurids<\/strong>: Start on October\u00a020; peak on November 12; end on December 10.<\/li>\n<li><strong>November Orionids<\/strong>: Start on November 13; peak on November 28; end on December 6.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Phoenicids<\/strong>: Start on November\u00a028; peak on December 2; end on December 9.<\/li>\n<li><strong>December \u03c6-Cassiopeids<\/strong>: Start on December 1; peak on December 6; end on December 8.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Puppid-Velids<\/strong>: Start on December 1; peak on December 7; end on December 15.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monocerotids<\/strong>: Start on December 5; peak on December 8; end on December 20.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u03c3-Hydrids<\/strong>: Start on December 3; peak on December 11; end on December 15.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Geminids<\/strong>: Start on December 4; peak on December 14; end on December 17.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Comae Berenicids<\/strong>: Start on December 12; peak on December 15; end on December 23.<\/li>\n<li><strong>December Leonis Minorids<\/strong>: Start on December 5; peak on December 20; end on February 4.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ursids<\/strong>: Start on December 17; peak on December 22; end on December 26.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Quadrantids<\/strong>: Start on December 26; peak on January 4; end on January 12.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>We also have a complete list of\u00a0meteor showers for the entire year of 2024 here.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"List_of_Planetary_Conjunctions_in_December_2024\"\/>List of Planetary Conjunctions in December 2024<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>the Moon and Venus<\/strong> in Sagittarius on December 4.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>Ceres and Pluto<\/strong> in Capricornus on December 5.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>Venus and Pluto<\/strong> in Capricornus on December 7.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>the Moon and Saturn<\/strong> in Aquarius on December 8.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>Venus and Ceres<\/strong> in Capricornus on December 8.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>the Moon and Jupiter<\/strong> in Taurus on December 14.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>the Moon and Mars<\/strong> in Cancer on December 18.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>the Moon and Mercury<\/strong> in Ophiuchus on December 25.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_2_Phoenicid_meteor_shower_peak\"\/>December 2: Phoenicid meteor shower peak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Phoenicids are a variable meteor shower. Although the peak is on December 2, some meteors could also be spotted between November 28 and December 9.<\/p>\n<p>The meteors will radiate from the constellation of Phoenix at the rather slow average speed of 18 km\/s.\u00a0Fortunately stargazing conditions will be quite close to ideal this beginning of the month of December 2024 because the Moon will be only a one day old waxing crescent at 1%.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9012\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9012\" style=\"width: 814px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9012 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Phoenix-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"814\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Phoenix-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 814w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Phoenix-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x604.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Phoenix-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x708.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Phoenix-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x564.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Phoenix-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x725.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 814px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 814\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9012\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Phoenix-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"814\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Phoenix-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 814w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Phoenix-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x604.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Phoenix-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x708.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Phoenix-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x564.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Phoenix-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x725.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9012\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Phoenix Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_4_Conjunction_of_the_Moon_and_Venus\"\/>December 4: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Moon and Venus will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 2\u00b015\u2032 of each other.<\/p>\n<p>Around an hour later, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 2\u00b011\u2032 from each other, but no longer sharing the same right ascension.<\/p>\n<p>Look for the two bodies in the constellation of Sagittarius. The Moon will be a very thin waxing crescent (17%) at 3 days old and will not interfere much. Despite this, the Moon will still be at apparent magnitude of -10.5, while Venus will be at magnitude -4.2.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9026\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9026\" style=\"width: 812px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9026 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Sagittarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Sagittarius Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"812\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Sagittarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg 812w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Sagittarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x788.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Sagittarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x923.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Sagittarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-486x598.jpg 486w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Sagittarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x945.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 812px) 100vw, 812px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 812px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 812\/1000;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9026\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Sagittarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Sagittarius Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"812\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Sagittarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg 812w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Sagittarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x788.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Sagittarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x923.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Sagittarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-486x598.jpg 486w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Sagittarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x945.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 812px) 100vw, 812px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9026\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sagittarius Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_5_Conjunction_of_Ceres_and_Pluto\"\/>December 5: Conjunction of Ceres and Pluto<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The dwarf planets Ceres and Pluto will reach conjunction passing within 3\u00b050\u2032 of each other while sharing the same right ascension.<\/p>\n<p>Ceres will be at apparent magnitude 9.2 and Pluto at magnitude 15.2 both in the constellation of Capricornus. Given how dim these two dwarf planets are, a telescope would be recommended. On the other hand, they will be too widely separated to fit within the field of view of a telescope, but will fit with binoculars. However only Ceres can be seen with binoculars, so it\u2019s a moot point. At least the Moon won\u2019t interfere much with observations as it will be a 4 days old waxing crescent at 26%.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8838\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8838\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8838 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Capricornus Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"810\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 810w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x569.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x759.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x237.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x728.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x142.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 810px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 810\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8838\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Capricornus Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"810\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 810w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x569.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x759.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x237.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x728.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Capricornus-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x142.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8838\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Capricornus Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_6_December_%CF%86-Cassiopeid_meteor_shower_peak\"\/>December 6: December \u03c6-Cassiopeid meteor shower peak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The December Phi-Cassiopeids, a recently discovered small variable rate meteor shower, will peak on December 6.<\/p>\n<p>Some meteors may also be spotted between December 1 and 8. They will radiate from the constellation of Cassiopeia at the rather slow speed of 16 km\/s on average.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9013\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9013\" style=\"width: 812px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9013 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Cassiopeia-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Cassiopeia Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"812\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Cassiopeia-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 812w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Cassiopeia-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x605.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Cassiopeia-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x709.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Cassiopeia-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x566.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Cassiopeia-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x726.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 812px) 100vw, 812px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 812px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 812\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9013\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Cassiopeia-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Cassiopeia Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"812\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Cassiopeia-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 812w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Cassiopeia-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x605.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Cassiopeia-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x709.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Cassiopeia-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x566.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Cassiopeia-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x726.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 812px) 100vw, 812px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9013\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cassiopeia Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_6_Jupiter_at_perigee\"\/>December 6: Jupiter at perigee<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The perigee is the point in the orbit of Jupiter at which it is nearest to the Earth. It will pass as close as 4.09 AU of us and reach a maximum brightness of apparent magnitude -2.8. Look in the constellation of Taurus. The Moon will be 5 days old or waxing crescent at 31%.<\/p>\n<p>At every perigee there is also an opposition at nearly the same time. Jupiter will be at opposition on December 7.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8843\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8843\" style=\"width: 814px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8843 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Taurus Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"814\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 814w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x604.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x708.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x564.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x725.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-740x698.jpg 740w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-638x602.jpg 638w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x566.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x755.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x236.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x142.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 814px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 814\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8843\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Taurus Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"814\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 814w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x604.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x708.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x564.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x725.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-740x698.jpg 740w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-638x602.jpg 638w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x566.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x755.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x236.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x142.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8843\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Taurus Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_6_Puppid-Velid_meteor_shower_peak\"\/>December 6: Puppid-Velid meteor shower peak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Puppid-Velids will peak with 10 meteors per hour on average (zenithal hourly rate), assuming ideal viewing conditions. Fortunately the viewing conditions will be decently close to ideal because the Moon will be a 5 days old waxing crescent at 37%.<\/p>\n<p>Some meteors can also be seen between December 1 and 15, radiating from the constellation of Vela at the average speed of 40 km\/s.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9014\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9014\" style=\"width: 811px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9014 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Vela-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Vela Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"811\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Vela-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 811w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Vela-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x606.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Vela-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x710.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Vela-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x566.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Vela-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x727.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 811px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 811\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9014\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Vela-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Vela Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"811\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Vela-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 811w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Vela-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x606.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Vela-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x710.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Vela-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x566.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Vela-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x727.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9014\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vela Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_6_Mars_enters_retrograde_motion\"\/>December 6: Mars enters retrograde motion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Mars will begin retrograde motion, which means it will stop traveling eastward through the constellations and instead turn to travel west. All of the outer planets in the solar system periodically experience this orientation reversal, which occurs a few months before they reach opposition.<\/p>\n<p>Ancient observers were troubled by retrograde motion because it didn\u2019t fit with their belief in uniform circular orbits around the Earth. The phenomenon is actually due to Earth\u2019s orbit around the Sun, which shifts our perspective and causes planets to appear to move back and forth in the sky while continuing their overall eastward path through the constellations.<\/p>\n<p>Mars can be spotted in the constellation of Cancer with an apparent magnitude of -0.6.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8958\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8958\" style=\"width: 815px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8958 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Cancer-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Cancer Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"815\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Cancer-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 815w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Cancer-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x565.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Cancer-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x754.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Cancer-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x236.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Cancer-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x724.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 815px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 815\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8958\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Cancer-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Cancer Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"815\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Cancer-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 815w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Cancer-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x565.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Cancer-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x754.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Cancer-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x236.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Cancer-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x724.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8958\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cancer Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_7_Conjunction_of_Venus_and_Pluto\"\/>December 7: Conjunction of Venus and Pluto<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Venus and dwarf planet Pluto will reach conjunction passing within 53\u2032 of each other while sharing the same right ascension.<\/p>\n<p>Venus will be at apparent magnitude -4.2 and Pluto at magnitude 15.2 both in the constellation of Capricornus. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of Ceres and Pluto on December 5.) A telescope would be needed to see Pluto. At least the Moon won\u2019t interfere that much with observations as it will be a 6 days old waxing crescent at 45%.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_7_Neptune_ends_retrograde_motion\"\/>December 7: Neptune ends retrograde motion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Neptune will end retrograde motion, which means it will stop traveling westward through the constellations and instead return to the more usual eastward motion instead.<\/p>\n<p>Neptune can be spotted in the constellation of Pisces with an apparent magnitude of 7.9.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8839\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8839\" style=\"width: 877px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8839 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Pisces Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"877\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 877w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x525.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x701.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x219.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x673.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x131.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 877px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 877\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8839\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Pisces Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"877\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 877w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x525.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x701.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x219.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x673.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x131.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8839\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pisces Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_8_Conjunction_of_the_Moon_and_Saturn\"\/>December 8: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Moon and Saturn will reach conjunction passing within 18\u2032 of each other while sharing the same right ascension.<\/p>\n<p>At around the same time the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 16.3 arcminutes from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension. In some parts of Japan and eastern Philippines this distance will be so close as to lead to a lunar occultation of Saturn, meaning the Moon will pass in front of Saturn thereby hiding it from view temporarily.<\/p>\n<p>The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -11.9 and Saturn at magnitude 0.8 both in the constellation of Aquarius. The Moon will be 7 days old waxing gibbous at 52%.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9069\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9069\" style=\"width: 874px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9069 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Aquarius Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"874\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 874w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x562.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x659.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x525.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x675.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 874px) 100vw, 874px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 874px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 874\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9069\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Aquarius Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"874\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 874w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x562.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x659.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x525.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x675.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 874px) 100vw, 874px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9069\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aquarius Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_8_Conjunction_of_Venus_and_Ceres\"\/>December 8:\u00a0Conjunction of Venus and Ceres<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Venus and dwarf planet Ceres will reach conjunction passing within 4\u00b044\u2032 of each other while sharing the same right ascension.<\/p>\n<p>Venus will be at apparent magnitude -4.2 and Ceres at magnitude 9.2 both in the constellation of Capricornus. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of Ceres and Pluto on December 5.) The two bodies will be too widely separated to fit within the field of view of a telescope, but will fit with binoculars. The Moon will be 7 days old waxing gibbous at 54%.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_8_Monocerotid_meteor_shower_peak\"\/>December 8: Monocerotid meteor shower peak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Monocerotids are a small meteor shower with 2 meteors on average during the peak if conditions are perfect. Some meteors could also be spotted between December 5 and 20.<\/p>\n<p>The meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation of Monoceros at the average speed of 41 km\/s.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9016\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9016\" style=\"width: 814px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9016 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Monoceros-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Monoceros Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"814\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Monoceros-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 814w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Monoceros-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x604.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Monoceros-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x708.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Monoceros-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x564.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Monoceros-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x725.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 814px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 814\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9016\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Monoceros-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Monoceros Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"814\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Monoceros-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 814w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Monoceros-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x604.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Monoceros-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x708.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Monoceros-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x564.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Monoceros-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x725.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9016\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Monoceros Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_11_%CF%83-Hydrid_meteor_shower_peak\"\/>December 11: \u03c3-Hydrid meteor shower peak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Sigma Hydrids are a small meteor shower with 3 meteors on average during the peak if conditions are perfect, which unfortunately won\u2019t be the case due to the Moon being 10 days old waxing gibbous at 88%.<\/p>\n<p>Some meteors could also be spotted between December 3 and 15.\u00a0They will appear to radiate from the constellation of Hydra at the average speed of 58 km\/s.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9017\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9017\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9017 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Hydra-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Hydra Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"1000\" height=\"624\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Hydra-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Hydra-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x399.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Hydra-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x468.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Hydra-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x373.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Hydra-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x479.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1000px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1000\/624;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9017\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Hydra-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Hydra Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"1000\" height=\"624\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Hydra-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Hydra-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x399.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Hydra-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x468.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Hydra-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x373.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Hydra-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x479.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9017\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hydra Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_12_Large_Magellanic_Cloud_at_its_highest_point_in_the_sky\"\/>December 12: Large Magellanic Cloud at its highest point in the sky<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10047\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10047\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10047 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA.jpg\" alt=\"Large Magellanic Cloud ESA\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA-750x750.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA-598x598.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA-75x75.jpg 75w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/800;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10047\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA.jpg\" alt=\"Large Magellanic Cloud ESA\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA-750x750.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA-598x598.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Large-Magellanic-Cloud-ESA-75x75.jpg 75w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10047\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) as viewed by ESA\u2019s Gaia satellite. Credit: ESA\/Gaia\/DPAC. License: CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way and the fourth-largest galaxy in the Local Group. It is located 163,000 light-years from us. The galaxy will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time.<\/p>\n<p>With an apparent magnitude of 0.9, the LMC can be seen with the naked eye, but for better results I would recommend at least a pair of standard binoculars. Can you image that this small little cloud is home to 20 billion stars? Look in the constellation of Dorado. Unfortunately, the Moon will start to interfere with stargazing quite a bit this middle of December 2024 because it will be 11 days old waxing gibbous at 95%.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10046\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10046\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10046 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Dorado-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Dorado Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"800\" height=\"744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Dorado-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Dorado-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x595.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Dorado-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x697.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Dorado-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x556.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Dorado-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x714.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/744;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10046\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Dorado-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Dorado Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"800\" height=\"744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Dorado-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Dorado-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x595.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Dorado-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x697.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Dorado-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x556.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Dorado-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x714.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10046\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dorado Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_13_Close_approach_of_the_Moon_and_the_Pleiades\"\/>December 13: Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9671\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9671\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9671 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/Pleiades.jpg\" alt=\"Pleiades\" width=\"800\" height=\"577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/Pleiades.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/Pleiades-640x462.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/Pleiades-750x541.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/Pleiades-598x431.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/Pleiades-768x554.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/577;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9671\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/Pleiades.jpg\" alt=\"Pleiades\" width=\"800\" height=\"577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/Pleiades.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/Pleiades-640x462.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/Pleiades-750x541.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/Pleiades-598x431.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/Pleiades-768x554.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9671\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Pleiades. Image by NASA, ESA, AURA\/Caltech, Palomar Observatory.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Moon and the Pleiades (also known as M45 or Messier 45) will make a close approach, passing within only 9.8 arcminutes of each other.<\/p>\n<p>Both objects will be in the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at apparent 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 be 12 days old and waxing gibbous at 98%.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_14_Geminid_meteor_shower_peak\"\/>December 14: Geminid meteor shower peak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Geminids (see featured image at the top of the article) are one of the largest meteor showers of the year with as many as 120 meteors per hour on average if conditions are ideal. Unfortunately, given that the Moon will be 13 days old waxing gibbous at 99%, those conditions will not be very ideal.<\/p>\n<p>Some meteors can also be seen between December 4 and December 17. They will appear to radiate from the constellation of Gemini at an average speed of 35 km\/s.\u00a0The Geminids originate from debris left by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8845\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8845\" style=\"width: 815px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8845 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Gemini Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"815\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 815w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x565.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x754.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x236.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x724.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x141.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 815px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 815\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8845\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Gemini Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"815\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 815w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x565.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x754.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x236.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x724.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Gemini-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x141.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8845\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gemini Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_14_Conjunction_of_the_Moon_and_Jupiter\"\/>December 14:\u00a0Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Moon and Jupiter will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 5\u00b028\u2032 of each other.<\/p>\n<p>At around the same time the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 5\u00b025\u2032 from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.<\/p>\n<p>The two celestial bodies will meet in the constellation Taurus with the Moon at apparent 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 be 13 days old and waxing gibbous at 99%.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_14_Asteroid_15_Eunomia_at_opposition\"\/>December 14:\u00a0Asteroid 15 Eunomia at opposition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Asteroid 15 Eunomia will be at opposition when it lies opposite to the Sun in the sky. It will reach the highest point in the sky around midnight local time, regardless of where you are in the world.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9506\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9506\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9506 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/07\/15-Eunomia-Lightcurve-Inversion.png\" alt=\"15 Eunomia Lightcurve Inversion\" width=\"800\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/07\/15-Eunomia-Lightcurve-Inversion.png 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/07\/15-Eunomia-Lightcurve-Inversion-640x240.png 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/07\/15-Eunomia-Lightcurve-Inversion-750x281.png 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/07\/15-Eunomia-Lightcurve-Inversion-598x224.png 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/07\/15-Eunomia-Lightcurve-Inversion-768x288.png 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/300;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9506\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/07\/15-Eunomia-Lightcurve-Inversion.png\" alt=\"15 Eunomia Lightcurve Inversion\" width=\"800\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/07\/15-Eunomia-Lightcurve-Inversion.png 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/07\/15-Eunomia-Lightcurve-Inversion-640x240.png 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/07\/15-Eunomia-Lightcurve-Inversion-750x281.png 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/07\/15-Eunomia-Lightcurve-Inversion-598x224.png 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/07\/15-Eunomia-Lightcurve-Inversion-768x288.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9506\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A three-dimensional model of 15 Eunomia that was computed using light curve inversion techniques by Josef \u010eurech and Vojt\u011bch Sidorin from the Astronomical Institute of the Charles University. License: CC BY 4.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Look in the constellation of Auriga. Eunomia will pass within 1.304 AU of Earth, reaching a peak brightness of magnitude 8.2. You will need binoculars or even a telescope to observe it. Eunomia is a very large asteroid (around 270 km in diameter) in the inner asteroid belt and the largest of the stony (S-type) asteroids.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8369\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8369\" style=\"width: 817px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8369 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Auriga Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"817\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 817w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x235.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x564.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x722.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU-319x300.jpg 319w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x141.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 817px) 100vw, 817px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 817px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 817\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8369\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Auriga Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"817\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 817w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x235.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x564.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x722.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU-319x300.jpg 319w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/09\/Auriga-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x141.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 817px) 100vw, 817px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8369\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Auriga Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_14_Orion_Nebula_at_its_highest_point_in_the_sky\"\/>December 14: Orion Nebula at its highest point in the sky<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10052\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10052\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10052 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble.jpg\" alt=\"Orion Nebula Hubble\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble-750x750.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble-598x598.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble-75x75.jpg 75w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/800;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10052\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble.jpg\" alt=\"Orion Nebula Hubble\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble-750x750.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble-598x598.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Orion-Nebula-Hubble-75x75.jpg 75w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10052\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Orion Nebula in a composite image of visible light and infrared taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2006. Credit: NASA, ESA, M. Robberto (Space Telescope Science Institute\/ESA) and the Hubble Space Telescope Orion Treasury Project Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Orion Nebula (also known as Messier 42, M42, or NGC 1976) is a diffuse nebula located south of Orion\u2019s Belt in the constellation of Orion. It is known as the middle \u201cstar\u201d in the \u201csword\u201d of Orion. The nebula will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time.<\/p>\n<p>With an apparent magnitude of 4.0, the Orion Nebula is difficult to see with the naked eye unless you\u2019re in a dark area. This is why I would recommend at least a pair of standard binoculars.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_15_Comae_Berenicid_meteor_shower_peak\"\/>December 15: Comae Berenicid meteor shower peak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Comae Berenicids are a small meteor shower with a zenithal hourly rate of only 3 meteors during the peak. But unfortunately, the Moon will interfere as it will be 14 days old waning gibbous at 98%.<\/p>\n<p>Some meteors may also be seen between December 12 and December 23 radiating from the constellation of Coma Berenices at the fast speed of 65 km\/s on average.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9022\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9022\" style=\"width: 814px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9022 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Coma-Berenices-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Coma Berenices Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"814\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Coma-Berenices-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 814w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Coma-Berenices-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x604.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Coma-Berenices-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x708.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Coma-Berenices-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x564.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Coma-Berenices-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x725.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 814px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 814\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9022\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Coma-Berenices-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Coma Berenices Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"814\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Coma-Berenices-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 814w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Coma-Berenices-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x604.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Coma-Berenices-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x708.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Coma-Berenices-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x564.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Coma-Berenices-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x725.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9022\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Coma Berenices Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_18_Conjunction_of_the_Moon_and_Mars\"\/>December 18:\u00a0Conjunction of the Moon and Mars<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Moon and Mars will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 54\u2032 of each other.<\/p>\n<p>Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 52\u2032 from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension. In some northern territories of Canada, Greenland, eastern Russia and Alaska this distance will be so close as to lead to a lunar occultation of Mars, meaning the Moon will pass in front of Mars thereby hiding it from view temporarily.<\/p>\n<p>Look for the two bodies in the constellation of Cancer. The Moon will be waning gibbous (66%) at 19 days old. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Mars entering retrograde motion on December 6.) The Moon will be at apparent magnitude of -12.6, while Mars will be at magnitude -0.9.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_20_December_Leonis_Minorid_meteor_shower_peak\"\/>December 20: December Leonis Minorid meteor shower peak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The December Leonis Minorids are a small meteor shower with only an average of 5 meteors per hour during the peak if conditions are perfect. The Moon will interfere somewhat as it is 18 days old waning gibbous at 74%.<\/p>\n<p>Some meteors may also be seen between December 5 and February 4 radiating from the constellation of Leo Minor at the high speed of 64 km\/s on average.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8847\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8847\" style=\"width: 817px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8847 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Leo Minor Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"817\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 817w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x564.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x752.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x235.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x722.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x141.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 817px) 100vw, 817px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 817px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 817\/768;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8847\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Leo Minor Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"817\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 817w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x564.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x752.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x235.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x722.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Leo-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x141.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 817px) 100vw, 817px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8847\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leo Minor Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_21_December_Solstice\"\/>December 21: December Solstice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The December solstice will occur at 09:20 UTC. It will be the shortest day and beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere and the longest day and beginning of summer in the southern hemisphere.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_22_Ursid_meteor_shower_peak\"\/>December 22:\u00a0Ursid meteor shower peak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Ursids will peak with a zenithal hourly rate of 10 meteors if conditions are optimal. Unfortunately that won\u2019t quite be the case as the Moon will offer some interference. It will be 21 days old waning gibbous at 50%.<\/p>\n<p>Some meteors may also be spotted between December 17 and December 26. They will radiate from the constellation of Ursa Minor at the speed of 33 km\/s on average.<\/p>\n<p>The parent body of the Ursid meteor shower has been identified as comet 8P\/Tuttle (also known as Tuttle\u2019s Comet or Comet Tuttle). It is a periodic comet with a 13.6-year orbit. Interestingly in 2008, this comet has been found to be a contact binary.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9027\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9027\" style=\"width: 901px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9027 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Ursa-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Ursa Minor Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"901\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Ursa-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg 901w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Ursa-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x710.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Ursa-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x832.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Ursa-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-539x598.jpg 539w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Ursa-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x852.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 901px) 100vw, 901px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 901px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 901\/1000;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9027\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Ursa-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Ursa Minor Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"901\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Ursa-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg 901w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Ursa-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x710.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Ursa-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x832.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Ursa-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-539x598.jpg 539w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Ursa-Minor-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x852.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 901px) 100vw, 901px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9027\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ursa Minor Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_25_Mercury_at_greatest_western_elongation\"\/>December 25: Mercury at greatest western elongation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Mercury will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky, making it the best time to view the planet. Look for it low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.<\/p>\n<p>It will be at apparent magnitude -0.4 in the constellation of Ophiuchus. The Moon will be 24 days old, waning crescent at 24%.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9362\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9362\" style=\"width: 813px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9362 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/05\/Ophiuchus-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Ophiuchus Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"813\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/05\/Ophiuchus-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg 813w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/05\/Ophiuchus-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x787.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/05\/Ophiuchus-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x922.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/05\/Ophiuchus-Constellation-Map-IAU-486x598.jpg 486w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/05\/Ophiuchus-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x944.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 813px) 100vw, 813px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 813px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 813\/1000;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9362\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/05\/Ophiuchus-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Ophiuchus Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"813\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/05\/Ophiuchus-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg 813w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/05\/Ophiuchus-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x787.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/05\/Ophiuchus-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x922.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/05\/Ophiuchus-Constellation-Map-IAU-486x598.jpg 486w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/05\/Ophiuchus-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x944.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 813px) 100vw, 813px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9362\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ophiuchus Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_25_Conjunction_of_the_Moon_and_Mercury\"\/>December 25:\u00a0Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Moon and Mercury will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 6\u00b023\u2032 of each other.<\/p>\n<p>The two celestial bodies will meet in the constellation of Ophiuchus. The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -9.0 for and Mercury at -0.4. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Mercury at greatest western elongation on December 25.) The Moon will be a 28 days old, very thin waning crescent at 1% and will not interfere much with stargazing this end of December 2024.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_29_Rosette_Nebula_at_its_highest_point_in_the_sky\"\/>December 29: Rosette Nebula at its highest point in the sky<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10001\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10001\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10001 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2010\/03\/The-Rosette-Nebula.jpg\" alt=\"The Rosette Nebula\" width=\"800\" height=\"593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2010\/03\/The-Rosette-Nebula.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2010\/03\/The-Rosette-Nebula-640x474.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2010\/03\/The-Rosette-Nebula-750x556.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2010\/03\/The-Rosette-Nebula-598x443.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2010\/03\/The-Rosette-Nebula-768x569.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/593;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10001\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2010\/03\/The-Rosette-Nebula.jpg\" alt=\"The Rosette Nebula\" width=\"800\" height=\"593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2010\/03\/The-Rosette-Nebula.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2010\/03\/The-Rosette-Nebula-640x474.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2010\/03\/The-Rosette-Nebula-750x556.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2010\/03\/The-Rosette-Nebula-598x443.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2010\/03\/The-Rosette-Nebula-768x569.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10001\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Rosette Nebula in narrowband sulfur-hydrogen alpha-oxygen modified Hubble palette with a 384 mm telescope by astrophotographer Stephan Hamel. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Rosette Nebula (also known as Caldwell 49 or NGC 2237) is an emission nebula about 5200 light-years away. The nebula will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time. Look in the constellation of Monoceros. (The constellation map has already been show above, while discussing the Monocerotid meteor shower peak on December 8.)<\/p>\n<p>With an apparent magnitude of 4.3, the Rosette Nebula is best observed with at least a pair of standard binoculars or a telescope for more detail.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Moon_Phases_in_December_2024\"\/>Moon Phases in December 2024<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>As you know, the Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies and astronomical events in the night sky. So to help you with stargazing, here\u2019s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of December 2024:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10663\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10663\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10663 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-December-2024.jpg\" alt=\"Moon Phase Calendar December 2024\" width=\"800\" height=\"567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-December-2024.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-December-2024-640x453.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-December-2024-750x531.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-December-2024-598x424.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-December-2024-768x544.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/567;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10663\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-December-2024.jpg\" alt=\"Moon Phase Calendar December 2024\" width=\"800\" height=\"567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-December-2024.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-December-2024-640x453.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-December-2024-750x531.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-December-2024-598x424.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-December-2024-768x544.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10663\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">December 2024 Moon phases calendar for stargazing. Credit: Astronomy Club of Akron.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Positions_of_the_Planets_in_December_2024\"\/>Positions of the Planets in December 2024<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mercury<\/strong>: The closest planet to the Sun can be seen at dawn and dusk travelling across the constellation of Ophiuchus. This planet, being the closest to the Sun, will appear to move quickly in the night sky and its position will change in the following weeks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Venus<\/strong>: The sister planet can be seen travelling across the constellation of Sagittarius and later Capricornus. Just like Mercury, Venus can only be seen at dawn and dusk.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mars<\/strong>: The red planet can be seen in the constellation of Cancer later in the month.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jupiter<\/strong>: The gas giant is visible in the constellation of Taurus. Jupiter can easily be spotted with the naked eye, even in highly illuminated cities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Saturn<\/strong>:\u00a0The ringed giant can be seen with the naked eye in the constellation of Aquarius.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Uranus<\/strong>: The ice giant can be seen in the constellation of Taurus with the use of a telescope.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Neptune<\/strong>: The blue giant requires a telescope pointed in the constellation of Pisces in order to be seen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Positions_of_Dwarf_Planets_and_Large_Asteroids_in_December_2024\"\/>Positions of Dwarf Planets and Large Asteroids in December 2024<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ceres<\/strong>:\u00a0The\u00a0asteroid belt\u2019s lone dwarf planet can be seen in the constellation of Capricornus with the help of a telescope.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vesta<\/strong>: This large asteroid can be seen in the constellation of Virgo with a telescope.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pallas<\/strong>: The asteroid can be observed with a telescope in the constellation of Ophiuchus.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hygiea<\/strong>: The fourth largest asteroid can be found with a telescope in the constellation of Pisces.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pluto<\/strong>: This distant dwarf planet can be found in the constellation of Capricornus with the help of a large telescope.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_astronomical_events_next_month_%E2%80%93_January_2025\"\/>Major astronomical events next month \u2013 January 2025<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>January 3: Asteroid 14 Irene at opposition<\/li>\n<li>January 4: Quadrantids meteor shower peak<\/li>\n<li>January 12: Mars at perigee<\/li>\n<li>January 13: Asteroid 887 Alinda at opposition<\/li>\n<li>January 13: Comet C\/2024 G3 (ATLAS) at perigee &amp; perihelion<\/li>\n<li>January 16: Mars at opposition<\/li>\n<li>January 20: \u03b3-Ursae Minorids meteor shower peak<\/li>\n<li>January 30: Uranus ends retrograde motion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"\/>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>December 2024 offers a spectacular array of stargazing events, from meteor showers and planetary conjunctions to nebulae at their peak visibility. Mark your calendars and prepare your telescopes for an unforgettable stargazing experience.<\/p>\n<p>To ensure you don\u2019t miss out on any celestial happenings, sign up for our newsletter to receive stargazing calendars and more updates. Clear skies!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>See also:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"342c8a430808ee5770f45cb96cddd88b\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:10px 0 10px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<h5 align=\"left\">Would you like to receive similar articles by email?<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/stargazing-calendar-december-2024\/?rand=773801\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Geminids meteor shower over Kitt Peak National Observatory. Credit: KPNO\/NOIRLab\/NSF\/AURA\/R. Sparks (NSF\u2019s NOIRLab). License: CC BY 4.0. December 2024 offers a thrilling experience for astronomy enthusiasts, as stargazing this month&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":776446,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-791651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-astroblog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/791651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=791651"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/791651\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/776446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=791651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=791651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=791651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}