This December, the stars and planets celebrate the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere with conjunctions and great viewing opportunities for long nights.
The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere occurs with the solstice at 7:04 am EST on December 21. These long nights are filled with planetary conjunctions best seen soon after sunset.
Jupiter Nears Venus and Mercury
Jupiter is headed down toward the horizon earlier each evening. On December 1, it is one day past its closest conjunction with the brighter Venus. The planets are still close together though and the scene is accented by a slender crescent moon just above them. The next time Venus, Jupiter, and the moon will be as close and visible as they were on December 1, 2008 will be November 18, 2052. Other close conjunctions occur when the sun is up and obscuring the view. But for now, the planets will slowly push apart as Venus rises and the moon quickly jets off higher into the sky as it waxes.
Jupiter's next closest planetary conjunction comes on the last day of the month. On December 31, Jupiter will be about a degree from Mercury. Check out the smallest and largest planets of our solar system through a telescope. How do they compare in size when viewed from Earth?
Also on New Year's Eve, Mercury is near another celestial sight, just 16 arcminutes to the upper left of M75. M75 is an 8th-magnitude globular cluster that lies 67,500 light-years away and can be seen with optical aid. Test out your new Christmas telescope on this deep-sky wonder.
The last feature in the night sky on the evening that 2008 draws to a close is Venus paired with a crescent moon. For those who are out late enjoying the revelry of New Year's, Saturn will be rising in the east after midnight.
Mercury rejoined the night sky around December 20 when it was visible above the western horizon after sunset. Its visits are always brief, and by mid-January it will once again have sunk back into the sun's glow.
Find Neptune or M75 Using Venus in December
Venus has its own close encounter with M75 on December 6 and 7. M75 will be just one degree above and a little to the right of Venus on the 6th and almost directly to its right on the 7th. Another conjunction with Venus in December includes the planet Neptune. On December 27, Venus and Neptune lie one and a half degrees apart. Venus will be easy to find as the brightest star-like object in the sky after sunset. On this date, just to Venus's left, is the 2nd-magnitude star Delta Capricorni. On the opposite side of Venus from Delta, using binoculars or a telescope, look for an arc of three 5th-magnitude stars and a 7th-magnitude point of light below it. That point of light is Neptune and as an identifying aid, it may appear bluish.
December's Meteor Showers Hampered by Biggest Full Moon of the Year
This month has two meteor showers, the Geminids, which peak on December 13, and the Ursids, which peak on December 22. The Geminids are usually the better display of the two, but because the full moon occurs on December 12 this month, most Geminid meteors will be washed out by the moon's bright glow.
The biggest, brightest, and closest full moon of the year occurs on December 12 at 11:37 a.m. EST. For some viewers, the moon will look at its best when they see it set in the west on the morning of the 12th, but it will also provide a good show on the evening of the 12 as it rises in the east. The biggest full moon of the year occurs when the moon is closest in its orbit to us, at perigee, (the December 12 2008 perigeeo has the moon 221,560 miles distant), and therefore it appears brightest on this date.
For 2009, the closest full moon of the year occurs next month, in January. Not only will the moon on January 10 be the brightest of the year, it will also be the third brightest during the 25 year stretch from 1993 to 2017.
December 2008 provides bright planets and deep-sky treasures to enjoy during long, dark nights.
The copyright of the article The Night Sky for December 2008 in Stargazing is owned by Kelly Whitt. Permission to republish The Night Sky for December 2008 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I can see Venus and Jupiter in the south west skys right now!
Dec 1, 2008 10:20 AM
Guest
:
Hi! :-) At 5:40 PM I have seen [in "nacked eye" mode] the
spectacular conjunction between Venus [in front of the Moon]...and Jupiter
together for few minutes in the sky of a place near Rome [Italy], exactly
at latitude 42.059991 and longitude 12.58493.
Dec 1, 2008 12:18 PM
Guest
:
I am in South Africa, Pretoria. Took the most amazing photos of the moon,
Venus and Jupiter.
Dec 1, 2008 2:23 PM
Guest
:
i can see venus and jupiter... its so beautiful and makes you think how
little we are in such a vast universe
Dec 1, 2008 3:09 PM
Guest
:
December 1, 2008 Venus, Jupiter, Crescent Moon Meet in Republic of
Turkey. For pictures: http://kendihalinde.wordpress.com and http://galeri.sabah.com.tr/?galerisec=3306
Dec 1, 2008 3:15 PM
Guest
:
I am in Connecticut in the USA and the moon is absoluely beautiful with the
two plants!
Dec 1, 2008 3:16 PM
Guest
:
Hi, I'm in Sousas, near Campinas in Brazil. About 5 miles from here is one
of the biggest observatories in S Amarica - the night sky here is
brilliant. We are watching tonight (1st December) the closeness of the
crescent moon, Venus and Jupiter. It's absolutely beautiful, something to
remember for ever. Cheers Gordon
Dec 1, 2008 3:32 PM
Guest
:
This is looking beautiful just outside of Washington DC. I shot these
around 1800 local time, they're just some rough edits:
Hi folks I'm here in the southwestern part of New Hampshire , 6 miles
from Vermont-- 5 miles from Massachusetts --- what a beautiful sky --
clouds moving in but all three in a triangle --- pretty neat !!!! I a
news flash that in Australia --they had a Happy face in the sky the moon
was on the lower side and the two planets were the eye's --- from N.H.
Dec 1, 2008 3:40 PM
Guest
:
Looking at Venus, Jupiter and a cresent moon from Orlando FL. WOW the
planets are so bright
Dec 1, 2008 3:42 PM
Guest
:
I am in rural Nova Scotia, and enjoyed the view of the cresent Moon Venus
and Jupiter in the south west sky, on my way to work, even before the sky
was dark. Very bright!
Dec 1, 2008 4:11 PM
Guest
:
Between 5 and 6 PM EST on Dec. 1, 2008, Jupiter and Venus were highly
visible ebow and to the right of the crescent moon in Nanuet, New York. The
planets were so bright that I wasn't sure what I was seeing but when they
hadn't moved in an hour I knew that they were celestial bodies so I went
online to verify if I was observing planets. And now that I know that that
is what I saw I am taking my husband out of the house to see them with me.
Dec 1, 2008 4:20 PM
Guest
:
In richmond Va usa. Spectacular. Driving on I 95 . tonight with the
cresent moon and clear sky it is a soght to see
Dec 1, 2008 4:31 PM
Guest
:
From Keller Texas...the moon and planets are beautiful and amazing..Jenna
10yrs old.
Dec 1, 2008 4:34 PM
Guest
:
We are in Austin, TX. We stood on our golf course on this cool crisp night
to watch the amazing sky with the moon, Venus and Jupiter.
Dec 1, 2008 4:46 PM
Guest
:
At 6:30 PM Oklahoma. The sight of Venus and Jupiter and the moon are
amazing and thought provoking. We are so small in the universe, and could
this mean something, it makes you wonder. Lisa H.
Dec 1, 2008 5:14 PM
Guest
:
I am in Stockbridge Georgia 25 miles outside Atlanta. It is BEAUTIFUL!!! I
enjoyed it with my grandchildren ages 9 and 11
Dec 1, 2008 5:18 PM
Guest
:
Gmo!!! i see it! you people are so smart... thats awesome. i
wanna b a scientist. :D *sigh* you smarticles.... I NEED A
TELESCOPE!
Dec 1, 2008 5:28 PM
Guest
:
The view of the crescent moon and planets is spectacular. Perfect
visibility from Tampa, Florida.
Dec 1, 2008 5:33 PM
Guest
:
I'm from Omaha NE, it's really bright and clear!
Anyone have
close up shots?
Thanks
Dec 1, 2008 5:34 PM
Guest
:
The view of the crescent moon and planets is spectacular. Perfect
visibility from Tampa, Florida.
Dec 1, 2008 5:38 PM
Guest
:
In Houston, Texas....just took my 4 and 7 year old outside to enjoy the
wonder! It is truly beautiful. We used my 7 year old's telescope....
Dec 1, 2008 6:02 PM
Guest
:
From Cotopaxi Colorado, the moon and the 2 planets are spectacularly
visible over the mountains to the southwest. This is certainly one to
remember, especially knowing how everyone else across the globe is seeing
it too.
Dec 1, 2008 6:08 PM
Guest
:
I live in Gainesville Fl and the moon and stars where beautiful tonight. Cresent with two main stars beneath one brighter than the other. Breath
taking site.
Dec 1, 2008 6:42 PM
fwmccain :
It's about 6:45 here in Southern California, Venus and Jupiter are
spectacular!! Even with binoculars, I can see three of Jupiters moons.
Dec 1, 2008 7:00 PM
Guest
:
it is cloudy tonight in san francisco this makes me sad
Dec 1, 2008 7:44 PM
Guest
:
It was 5:40pm when I was on my walk in Southern California (USA) that I
noticed the spectacular night sky. I had to stare at it for a while to
make sure nothing moved. Truly an amazing site to see and enjoy!
Dec 1, 2008 8:56 PM
Guest
:
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW i want a telescope!!!!!!! =( but i know you can seee it
without but still it would be cool will there be anymore days like this????
Dec 1, 2008 9:21 PM
Guest
:
i saw it yesterday... very clear here in Manila..
Dec 1, 2008 10:44 PM
Guest
:
I was driving in the hway last night...we just had typhoon here in the
Philippines and skies were not that clear, but i promise myself
tonight...i'll go check on it if is still up and shining... (,")
Dec 1, 2008 10:47 PM
Guest
:
I could see conjuntion of crecent moon,Jupiter and Venus in Shen
Zhen,China.It looked like smiley face.
Dec 1, 2008 11:06 PM
Guest
:
I took several pictures tonight! (Texas) It look awesome.
Dec 2, 2008 3:01 AM
Guest
:
i am in okinawa japan and saw this sight lastnight! it looks like the
planets are below the moon tonight.
Dec 2, 2008 5:41 AM
Guest
:
When will we see a Meteor Shower in South Africa? (Johannesburg)
Dec 2, 2008 6:03 AM
Guest
:
I'm currently in Baghdad, Iraq and got a great pic of Venus, Jupiter and
the moon aligned. Absolutely amazing. Venus was so bright. I look fwd to
tonight. It's like the stars and planets are so much clearer here.
Dec 2, 2008 6:15 AM
Guest
:
it was pretty neat to see this from Baghdad Iraq....sweet sight to see!!!
Hi All, I walked onto Ponte Vittorio Emanuele 11 in Rome at about 5.30pm on
my way back from the seeing St Peters and Vatican, looked right into the
south western night sky and saw the crescent Moon in a clear patch of sky
and two very bright spots of light. One was above and to the right (looking
from our position on the bridge)and one was to the left of the moon
touching it like a 'diamond ring' effect at a solar eclipse. Gradually the
bright spot to the left moved behind the moon and disappeared. We waited to
see if it would reappear but then the cloud bank moved across the sky and
ruined our view. I'm presuming that these 2 bright spots were Venus and
Jupiter but would like to know which was which? We took photos but did not
have the correct lens although you can see the view blown up!! Thanks
in advance for your responses. David
Dec 2, 2008 9:14 AM
Kelly Whitt :
For a lucky few people positioned in the right location,Venus disappeared
behind the moon on December 1 in a lunar occultation. From your location in
Rome, Venus would have emerged from the other side of the moon shortly
before the two set below the horizon. Jupiter was the other, slightly less
bright point of light, on the other side of the moon.
Dec 2, 2008 9:41 AM
Guest
:
hey!!!! oh ma gosh da sky is absolutely beautiful!!!! the moon is amazing
and the planets are wow!!! am happy dat i got to see it!!!!!
Dec 2, 2008 10:02 AM
Guest
:
sup people am in kenya (in africa) where Obama comes from!!! anyway yeah
the moon was beautiful even today although i think the planets are
moving...... hmmmm i think i like astronomy now.....
Dec 2, 2008 10:09 AM
Guest
:
omg! the view from bluefield, virginia (virginia's tallest's town) was
awesome!!! i was lucky enough to catch the sight prior to the snowfall...
Dec 2, 2008 2:48 PM
Guest
:
We won't see the alignment again until December 2052!!! December 13-14
there will be meteors showers. These two days are the peak of it. So get
out there and watch that stuff!!!
Dec 2, 2008 2:51 PM
Guest
:
Up here in Canada, in a small Native community in QC, it is mystical and
beautiful.
Dec 2, 2008 3:00 PM
Guest
:
i am looking a the moon and plants now
Dec 2, 2008 3:16 PM
Guest
:
awsome dude!
Dec 2, 2008 3:37 PM
Guest
:
i saw them they are south-eastof the moon
Dec 2, 2008 4:00 PM
Guest
:
THAT IS SO COOL I WISH I GET A TELESOPE IN GEORGIA IT IS AWSOME HERE
Dec 2, 2008 4:22 PM
Guest
:
it was my birthday on dec. 1st so i saw the beautiful view too it was
amazing
Dec 2, 2008 4:49 PM
Guest
:
From Barranquilla Colombia: I noticed these two planets tonight, walking
home, and I knew it was something special. I am glad to have found out
about Jupiter and Venus through this website - thanks! - Lorenz
Dec 2, 2008 5:24 PM
Guest
:
clear night and it's an amazing site from Lake Asutin Spa, Austin, TX
Dec 2, 2008 7:01 PM
Guest
:
Thanks for the photos to remember the night. Venus & Saturn were so
bright I could even see them in New York City! More photos appreciated, if
anyone's got some.
Dec 3, 2008 5:36 AM
Guest
:
the planetary conjuction was just oh-so fascinating! a few days ago
before that happened we have already noticed the 2 planets lining up the
sky, and from that on i know something is going on. t was not just ordinary
stars which shone so brightly that night;it were planets! namely venus and
jupiter! combined with the cresent moon, a smiling face had appeared in the
sky at night!
Dec 3, 2008 12:21 PM
Guest
:
I saw this beautiful creation with my kids. At first I thought it was a
plane but then I said, no I think thats a star! The next day at work, my
co-worker informed me that it was planets (Venus and Jupiter) with the
moon. I am just lost for words.
Dec 3, 2008 3:21 PM
Guest
:
Philadelphia PA suburbs: G-mom just called to share this beautiful sight
with us...The 2 planets (jupiter & Venus) are in the south sky from
here next to a beautiful crescent moon. They are super bright in a
very soft focus sky.
Dec 3, 2008 6:30 PM
Guest
:
I nearly ran off the road when the crescent moon appeared so low in the sky
over the bare marshes and rivers of coastal Georgia below Darien. Beneath
it were two "stars" so bright and low in the triangle they made,
I half thought they might be cell phone tower lights. It was breath-taking;
the moon was a creamy yellow, as were the two planets I later heard were
Venus and Jupiter. So beautiful--and to think, not seen again until 2025! I
couldn't stop watching them, up almost above my shoulder in the night sky
beyond my windshield.
Dec 3, 2008 7:20 PM
Guest
:
I live out in the country and it was really cool seeing the stars so
bright. I'm going to have to keep my eye's open toward the sky more often.
Dec 4, 2008 5:41 AM
Guest
:
I saw the alignment in Lancaster, PA at about 6:00 pm walking back to my
office (at Franklin & Marshall College) after a faculty meeting. I
didn't have my camera, but the moon and the planets were hovering right
over Old Main. It is so great to hear the viewings from around the world.
Dec 4, 2008 8:04 AM
Guest
:
It was really great to watch also from Lisbon, Portugal. Got some pictures
too. I just found out today which planet it was. Great . Thanks
Dec 4, 2008 1:23 PM
Guest
:
constellation of gemini and capricorn
Dec 4, 2008 5:12 PM
Guest
:
i am in florida and its so awesome seeing this and its weird how we can see
it in the U.S. and others can see it in Italy, wow! God really is amazing!!
Dec 4, 2008 7:31 PM
Guest
:
Thanks for the photos to remember the night. Venus & Saturn were so
bright I could even see them in New York City! More photos appreciated, if
anyone's got some.
Dec 6, 2008 12:59 PM
Guest
:
Argued with my daughter for days saying those were not stars-but planets.
What a beautiful sight, finally remembered to look it up on the web. The
crescent moon was so bright and close it looked like you could reach right
out and touch it. We are in Union County, New Jersey.
Dec 6, 2008 1:21 PM
Guest
:
I'm looking at a beautiful nicght sky & can see both planets. I thought
it was unusual & now know why. Ann Daniel St. John's Newfoundland,
Canada
Dec 6, 2008 3:30 PM
Guest
:
Just outside Belfast N.Ireland and I noticed this on 1st or 2nd Dec.
Absolutely gorgeous against the evening sky with an orange sunset. Very
bright. I knew one was Venus but not the other planet - my goodness,
Jupiter! I knew it was very unusual but not how unusual till I came onto
this site. So amazing to hear comments from all over the globe!
Dec 7, 2008 5:15 PM
Guest
:
Why is the moon under the planets in Baghdad?
Dec 8, 2008 7:07 AM
Kelly Whitt :
Great question. Because the moon moves pretty fast across the sky, places
on one part of the globe do not see the moon in the same position as places
on another part of the globe on the same night. The Earth spins toward the
east. On December 1, people farther east than you on the globe saw the moon
below the planets, making a smiley face, such as in Baghdad. A bit farther
to the west from Baghdad, for example, in Italy, people saw the moon
actually cross over and occult Venus. By the time people farther west from
Italy, including North America, saw the moon on December 1, it was above
the planets.
Dec 9, 2008 1:11 PM
Guest
:
Miami Florida How amazing to bad it is not going to happen again until
November 18, 2052
Dec 12, 2008 4:01 AM
Guest
:
Wow!!! from The Vines, Perth, Western Australia. Moon is awesome, simply
stunning.
Dec 12, 2008 1:27 PM
Guest
:
pls guys post some pictures of the moon because outside i see nothing but
clouds :(
Dec 15, 2008 9:08 PM
Guest
:
Today I attempted to take a picture of the southern /southeastern sky in
Oregon. It was awesome. Seeing that bright star/planets seems so appropos
close to Christmas
Dec 19, 2008 2:34 AM
Guest
:
i failed to watch that one(busy on that time..).. how sad... but i promise
to watch another one on dec 31... Jordyne;) philippines hehe...
Dec 22, 2008 4:34 AM
Guest
:
I have seen a very bright star.It could be an Ursid.
Dec 27, 2008 12:50 AM
Guest
:
I have seen a bright object tonight and last night that the handle of
the Little Dipper is pointing to. It's in the southern part of the
sky (in California) do you know what it is? thanks
Dec 27, 2008 7:09 AM
Kelly Whitt :
The handle of the Little Dipper points to Capella, a star in Auriga.
Capella is the 6th brightest star in the sky and part of the Winter
Hexagon. Here is a link with more info on the Winter Hexagon: http://stargazing.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_winter_hexagon_and_winter_
triangle
Dec 29, 2008 4:26 PM
Guest
:
Hey I'm in the UK - south west Wiltshire. Have been looking at Jupiter for
some weeks now - and finally got to look it up on the net to check that I
was right!! I really must look up more stuff as I love gazing at the night
sky. My daughter is 4 and she loved this. Trouble is we don't get to see
too much of thenight sky as it's always raining or cloudy!! But we are
actualy getting a proper winter this year and the frosty nights make great
viewing.
Dec 30, 2008 4:05 PM
Guest
:
Venus and the crescent moon look gorgeous tonight. Got out the old
telescope to take a closer look. Sally and Paul, NJ.
Dec 31, 2008 5:01 AM
Guest
:
I can see Russia from my house.
Dec 31, 2008 3:14 PM
Guest
:
Venus is sooo pretty right now. I can see it just standing in my driveway.
Waiting to see if I can see Mercury with my bare eye soon too, but the
telescope does make everything so much prettier. :]
Dec 31, 2008 4:18 PM
Guest
:
I'm in Arlington Texas gazing at the crescent moon, Jupiter and Venus.
Dec 31, 2008 4:58 PM
Guest
:
I am in Georgia, USA and saw Jupiter and Mercury in the western sky at
dusk, and a beautifully bright venus next to the cresent moon.
Beautiful!
Dec 31, 2008 6:20 PM
Guest
:
I loved the guest comment 12/31/2008 "I can see Russia from my
house". Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!
Jan 2, 2009 11:14 AM
Guest
:
thank you all for saying it was Venus. My husband and I looked at that
moon and thought it was just a very bright star never thinking it was
Venus. we live in Pa. and it was sooooo clear. I wonder if it will
happen again?
Bonnie in Pa.
Jan 2, 2009 11:22 AM
Kelly Whitt :
Bonnie,
Venus and the moon will be close again on January 29 and
30, but February 27 will be much better. Venus and a thin crescent moon
will lie only a degree and a half apart.
Jan 29, 2009 12:43 AM
Guest
:
Hi Kelley, I first heard about this phenomenon on the Chinese news
(I'm Chinese). In China, it's called ???? (shuang xing ban yue), which
means "double stars accompanying the moon". From the pictures
taken in China, the 3 look like a smiley face :) It was especially
exciting because ancient Chinese astronomers had seen and recorded this
phenomenon thousands of years ago!
Nov 20, 2008
