December Astronomy Highlights, Busy Month!

This month we have the Moon near Jupiter and Saturn on the 16th and 17th.

For the first time in two decades, we have what is known as the great conjunction which is a conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, when the two planets appear closest together in the sky.

From December 20th to the 22nd Jupiter passes close to Saturn and will appear as a single star in the sky, although slightly larger. The best time to see it will be on the southwestern horizon at 45 minutes after sunset.

The winter solstice arrives on December 21st, the shortest day of the year.

The Geminids happen each year between Dec. 4 and 17; in 2020, peak activity will occur on the evening of Dec. 13 into the morning of Dec. 14.

A total solar eclipse will occur on December 14, 2020. This will only be visible in South America.

Moon Phases

• Last Quarter: December 7th

• New Moon: December 14th

• First Quarter: December 21st

• Full Moon: December 29th