Woking Planetarium

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, is a large constellation visible in the south east at sunset. By the end of the month it appears high in the south, so is easier to see earlier in the evening. During the night, it moves across the southern sky and sets in the west around midnight.

Orion is a winter constellation made of bright and clear stars, so is one of the easiest to see. It rises due east about 18:00 GMT at the beginning of the month, and around sunset by the end of it. It moves across the south to set in the west a little before sunrise. Look for the distinctive Orion’s Belt in the centre of the constellation.

Andromeda is a relatively faint constellation that can be seen high in the sky. It is near the zenith during the evening before setting towards the west in the early hours of the morning. The Andromeda galaxy can be seen in this constellation, as well as various nebulae.

Planets

Mercury is very difficult to see as it is only visible between the 20^th and 27^th, very low on the south east horizon. Best views will be when it is at highest altitude in the morning sky on the 20^th. It is also at dichotomy (half-phase) on the 20^th, and greatest elongation west on the 25^th.

Venus can be seen in the early evening just after sunset. It sets after a couple of hours, so best views are as early in the evening as possible. Venus is the brightest object in the sky besides the Sun and Moon. It will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 4^th, and in conjunction with Pluto on the 7^th.

Mars is visible for most of the night, as it rises in the north east shortly after sunset. It rises earlier at the end of the month, so can be seen higher earlier in the evening. Mars enters retrograde motion on the 6^th, and at lunar occultation on the 18^th.

Jupiter rises in the north east around sunset, moves across the south and sets in the west. Best views will be at its highest point, around 22:30 at the beginning of the month and 20:30 at the end of the month. Jupiter will be at perigee on the 6^th, opposition on the 7^th, and in conjunction with the Moon on the 14^th.

Saturn appears high in the south at sunset, moving to set in the west about 22:30 GMT at the beginning of the month and 18:30 GMT at the end. Best views will be just after sunset when it is highest in the sky. Saturn will undergo lunar occultation on the 8^th.

Uranus is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. At sunset it appears high in the east and moves across the south to set in the west in the early hours of the morning.

Neptune is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It appears in the south at sunset and moves lower towards the west early in the night, so best views will be early evening. Neptune ends retrograde motion on the 7^th, and undergoes lunar occultation on the 9^th.

Meteor Showers

The background rate of meteors on any given night is about 4 per hour.

The December φ-Cassiopeids reach their peak on the 5^th. The radiant (apparent origin point of the meteors) will be in the constellation of Andromeda. This constellation is circumpolar so meteors can be seen all night, whilst it is in the sky. Best views will be around 21:00 GMT when Andromeda is highest in the sky. The rate of meteors is variable year on year.

The Geminids reach their peak on the 14^th. The radiant (apparent origin point of the meteors) will be in the constellation of Gemini. This constellation is in the sky all night, so meteors will be visible throughout darkness hours. Best views will be around 02:00 GMT when Gemini is at its highest point and peak activity is expected. You will be able to see about 113 meteors per hour.

The Ursids reach their peak on the 22^nd. The radiant (apparent origin point of the meteors) will be in the constellation of Ursa Minor. This constellation is circumpolar so meteors will be visible all night, when Ursa Minor is in the sky. Best displays will be just before dawn, as peak activity will be after sunrise. You will be able to see about 9 meteors per hour.

Moon

Full Moon: 15^th

Last Quarter: 22^nd

New Moon: 1^st, 30^th

First Quarter: 8^th

The Moon reaches apogee, its furthest point from the Earth on the 24^th and the and perigee, its closest point, on the 12^th. This effect is not visually apparent.

The Moon will be at aphelion, its furthest point from the Sun, on the 14^th and perihelion, its closest point, on the 2^nd, 30^th. This effect is not visually apparent.

The Moon will make a close approach to the Pleiades (M45) on the 13th. They will be visible between 16:52 and 04:58 GMT with best views at their highest point at 22:17 GMT. They lie in the constellation of Taurus.

Points of Interest

Asteroid 15 Eunomia will be at opposition on the 14^th. It will be in the constellation of Auriga and reach its highest point around midnight. It will be visible between 17:22 and 06:14 GMT. You will need at least a four-inch telescope to see this.

The Running Man cluster and Orion nebula are well placed on the 14^th in the constellation of Orion. They will be visible between 21:04 and 03:04 GMT, when Orion is in the sky. Best views will be around midnight when it is at its highest point. You will need binoculars or a small telescope to see this.

The December Solstice will occur on the 21^st.

Cluster NGC 2232 is well placed on the 28^th. It lies in the constellation of Monoceros and reaches its highest point in the sky around midnight. It is visible between 20:31 and 03:31 GMT. You will need binoculars or a small telescope to see this.

The Rosette Nebula will be well placed on the 29^th in the constellation of Monoceros. It is visible between 19:37 and 04:27 and reaches its highest point in the sky around midnight. You will need binoculars or a small telescope to see this.

Visit Spot the Station to find out when the ISS will be visible from your location.

Last updated: 11^th November 2024.