Read our December sky notes to find out what’s in the night sky this month!
Map
Constellations
These constellations are well placed in the evening this month, but many more can be seen. Check the star map for more.
Cetus, the Whale, appears in the south east at sunset and moves across the southern sky. It sets in the west between midnight and 03:00 GMT, setting later as the month goes on.
Orion, the Hunter, rises in the evening sky to begin its journey across the southern sky. You can see it in the east from 20:00 GMT at the beginning of the month, and 18:30 GMT at the end. Best views will be when Orion is at its highest due south around midnight. It sets in the west a few hours before dawn.
Lynx is a faint constellation visible between the Zodiacal band and Ursa Major. It rises just after sunset in the north east, and spends the rest of the night moving around the sky, from the east, to the south and finally to the west.
Planets
Mercury is too close to the Sun to be seen for most of this month. On the 5th, it reaches its highest altitude in the morning sky just before sunrise, but will still not appear much above the eastern horizon. Mercury will be at dichotomy (half-phase) on the 4th, greatest elongation west on the 8th, and in conjunction with the Moon on the 18th.
Venus is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.
Mars is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.
Jupiter rises in the north east in the evening, to move across the southern sky and disappear in the west at dawn. It rises earlier as the month goes on, so the best time to view it will be near the end of the month when it reaches its highest point due south about 01:00 GMT. Jupiter will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 7th.
Saturn appears in the southern sky at sunset and moves to set in the west over the course of the night. It sets around 23:00 GMT at the beginning of the month and around 01:00 GMT at the end of it, so better views will be on later dates when it stays longer in the sky. Saturn will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 27th.
Uranus is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It appears in the eastern sky at sunset and moves across the south to set in the west in the early hours of the morning. It appears higher as the month goes on, so will reach its highest point due south earlier. Uranus is close to the Pleiades star cluster this month.
Neptune is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It is very close to Saturn this month and follows its path across the sky. Neptune ends retrograde motion 10th.
Meteor Showers
The Geminids reach their peak on the night of the 14th. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors will be in the constellation of Gemini. Meteors will be visible all night as Gemini stays above the horizon. Best displays are likely to be around 02:00 GMT, when it reaches its highest point, or just before dawn, since peak activity occurs after sunrise. You will be able to see up to 113 meteors per hour.
The Ursids reach their peak on the night of the 22nd. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors will be in the constellation of Ursa Minor. Meteors are visible all night because Ursa Minor is circumpolar. Best displays are likely to be just after dusk, as peak activity occurs around 16:00 GMT, or just before sunrise, when Ursa Minor is nearing its highest point in the sky. You will be able to see around 9 meteors per hour.
Moon
Full Moon: 4th
Last Quarter: 11th
New Moon: 20th
First Quarter: 27th
The Moon reaches perigee, its closest point to the Earth, on the 4th and apogee, its furthest point on the 17th. This effect is not visually apparent.
The Moon will be at aphelion, its furthest point from the Sun, on the 3rd and perihelion, its closest point, on the 20th. This effect is not visually apparent.
Points of Interest
Comet C/2025 T1 (ATLAS) passes perihelion on the 2nd. It will be visible between 17:24 and 22:40 GMT in the south western sky, in the constellation of Vulpecula. You will need a large telescope to see this.
Asteroid 16 Psyche will be at opposition on the 8th. In the constellation of Taurus, it can be seen between 18:42 and 04:59 GMT, reaching its highest point around midnight. Look for it rising in the east. You will need at least a four-inch telescope to see this.
A lunar occultation of Regulus occurs on the 10th. It will disappear behind the Moon at 07:25 GMT, and reappear at 08:29 GMT. You will need binoculars to see this in detail, but the Sun will rise during the occultation. NEVER point binoculars or a telescope at the Sun without specialist filters.
The Running Man cluster and the Orion nebula are well placed for observation, beginning on the 15th. They are both visible in the constellation of Orion between 21:00 and 03:00 GMT. Orion reaches its highest point around midnight. The Running Man cluster sits directly above the Orion nebula in the area known as Orion’s Sword. You will need binoculars to see this.
The Winter Solstice occurs on the 21st. This is the longest night of the year.
The cluster NGC 2232 is well placed for observation, beginning on the 28th. It lies in the constellation of Monoceros and is visible between 20:34 and 03:32 GMT, reaching its highest point in the sky around midnight. You will need binoculars to see this.
The Rosette Nebula is well placed for observation, beginning on the 29th. It lies in the constellation of Monoceros and is visible between 19:38 and 04:28 GMT, reaching its highest point in the sky around midnight. You will need binoculars to see this.
Visit Spot the Station to find out when the ISS will be visible from your location.
Last updated: 13th November 2025.