Celestial Events In December 2024 To Look Out For

If you look for it, poetry can be found everywhere, even in physics. A popular theory in astrophysics is that we are all made of stardust. Perhaps that's why even a small speck in the night sky can be experienced as a divine sonnet. If you're an astronomy enthusiast and love witnessing the unsung poetry of the night sky, look forward to the following spectacular celestial wonders taking place this December. You can also pack your bags and head to these top stargazing destinations in India for a visual spectacle at night.

Jupiter At Opposition, December 7

After the sun sets on December 7, the enormous gas giant Jupiter will be directly in opposition to the Earth. Promising to be visible until sunrise, the planet will be the brightest celestial body in the sky at a magnitude of –2.7. The planet will appear in a magnificent full moon-like figure as it will be directly opposite to Earth from the Sun. Jupiter will be unusually high against the stars of Taurus the Bull, so the best way to witness this astronomical wonder is by using a 75mm or larger telescope.

Geminids Meteor Shower, December 13

Meteors shower from an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon will be at its peak from the night of December 13 till the morning of 14. Known as "the King of Meteor showers," the Geminids meteor shower is expected to have 120 bright white meteors falling per hour on the night of December 13. The best time to catch most of this shower is around 2AM, so settle in an open space to witness exquisite shooting stars all over the sky. However, it is said that due to the nearly full moon at this time, the meteors might get blocked from view, but that does not mean you would not be able to spot a few spectacular ones if you remain patient.

Winter Solstice And Ursids Meteor Shower, December 21

As several cultures in both hemispheres celebrate the winter solstice as an ode to seasonal changes, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and the longest night of the year on December 21. This provides a great opportunity for a foolproof stargazing trip. The long night will offer you ample time to witness the Ursids meteor shower, which is going to peak on the same day. Though a minor shower with 5-10 meteors per hour, it usually promises a few bright ones. The Ursids meteor shower originates from a comet called Tuttle, and it goes on till the night of December 22. 

Mercury At Greatest Western Elongation, December 25

The best time to see Mercury will be on December 25. As the planet reaches its greatest elongation from the sun at a distance of 22 degrees, it will be visible to us in the morning sky. Do not miss catching the planet just before sunrise, as most of the time, it is extremely tough to get a good glimpse of Mercury from Earth. It is recommended to look out for the planet about 40 minutes before sunrise with a telescope to find a Mercury of –0.4 magnitude.

New Moons, December 1 And 31

December of this year offers the rare occurrence of two new moons in the same month. The first new moon of December will appear on the first and is known as the "Cold Moon" while the second new moon of the month will emerge on December 31 and is called the "Black Moon." The lack of moonlight on these days of the month provides rare opportunities to observe fainter objects in the sky.