What to look for in the December night sky

The night sky in December offers a variety of celestial events and prominent objects for observers. Here are some highlights for December:

  1. Winter Constellations: The winter constellations, such as Orion, Taurus, Gemini, and Canis Major, become prominent during December. Orion, with its distinctive three-star belt, is a particularly well-known constellation.
  2. Sirius: The brightest star in the night sky, Sirius, is part of the constellation Canis Major. Look southeast in the evening to spot this brilliant star.
  3. Geminid Meteor Shower: The Geminids, one of the most active meteor showers, peaks in mid-December. This shower is known for producing bright and colorful meteors. Look for them radiating from the constellation Gemini.
  4. Lunar Observing: The Moon is a prominent object in December's night sky. Observing the waxing and waning phases can be interesting, and the contrast between the lunar highlands and the dark maria is often visible.
  5. Jupiter and Saturn: While both gas giants are moving away from their spectacular conjunction in 2020, they are still visible in the early evening sky. Look toward the southwest to spot these planets.