The last month of 2024 brings a lot of action in the night sky with plenty of astronomical events. If you want to capture the arms of the milky way galaxy or are looking for your favourite constellation, December won’t disappoint you in any way. So, mark your calendars with the given astronomical events in December 2024 and enjoy the beauty of the universe.
Astronomical Events In December 2024
You can find various planetary conjunctions where two heavenly bodies are in close proximity as far your eyes are considered. Additionally, the meteor showers will always illuminate the night sky for a few seconds alongside the phases of the moon. If you’re an astrophile or a night photographer, December is one of the best times to capture planets and the natural satellite of Earth.
- Planetary Conjunction
- Meteor Shower
- Moon Phases
- Other Space Objects
Planetary Conjunction
Below is the list of most of the planetary conjunction that you can find in December. A planetary conjunction occurs when two heavenly bodies appear closer than they actually are. It can take place between two planets, a planet and a Sun or even Moon and the other planets.
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Conjunction Of The Moon And Venus On 5th December
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Close approach of the Moon and Venus On On 5th December
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Conjunction of Ceres and Pluto On 6th December
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Mercury At Inferior Solar Conjunction On 6th December
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Jupiter At Perigee On 6th December
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Mercury At Perihelion On 6th December
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Mars Enters Retrograde Motion On 7th December
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Conjunction Of Venus And Pluto On 7th December
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Jupiter At Opposition On 8th December
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Neptune Ends Retrograde Motion On 8th December
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Close Approach Of The Moon And Saturn On 8th December
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Lunar Occultation Of Saturn On 8th December
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Conjunction Of The Moon And Saturn On 8th December
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Conjunction Of Venus And Ceres On 8th December
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Moon At First Quarter On 8th December
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Close Approach Of The Moon And M45 On 13th December
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Close Approach Of The Moon And Jupiter On 14th December
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Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter On 15th December
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Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri on 15th December
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Asteroid 15 Eunomia At Opposition On 15th December
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Conjunction Of The Moon And Mars On 18th December
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Close Approach Of The Moon And Mars On 18th December
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Lunar Occultation Of Mars On 18th December
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Lunar Occultation Of Spica On 25th December
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Lunar Occultation Of Antares On 28th December
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Conjunction Of The Moon And Mercury On 29th December
Meteor Showers
Meteor showers are the remains or the debris from a large comet that enters the Earth’s atmosphere. Upon entering the atmosphere, these specks of universal dust are ignited due to the drag. You can witness these in a remote area and wish for luck and prosperity.
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Puppid-Velid Meteor Shower 2024 On 6th December
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Monocerotid Meteor Shower 2024 On 8th December
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σ-Hydrid meteor shower 2024 On 11th December
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December Φ-Cassiopeid Meteor Shower 2024
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Comae Berenicids Meteor Shower 2024 On 15th December
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December Leonis Minorid Meteor Shower 2024 On 19th December
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Geminids Meteor Shower On 13th and 14th December
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Pheonicid Meteor Shower On 2nd December
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Ursids Meteor Shower On 21st And 22nd December
Viewing The Different Heavenly Bodies With Telescope
If you have a telescope and want to explore the night sky above you then December will have a lot of objects to offer. Apart from the Arms of Milky Way, you can find Mercury, Saturn, Neptune, Mars and Venus in the night sky. Also, there will be good visibility for Orion Nebula, Magellanic Cloud and the famous Running Man Cluster.
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Viewing Of Large Magellanic Cloud On 12th December
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Viewing Of The Running Man Cluster On 14th December
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Viewing Of The Orion Nebula On 14th December
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Mercury At Dichotomy On 21st December
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Best View Of Mercury On 25th December
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Mercury At Greatest Elongation West On 25th December
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Viewing Of The Cluster Ngc 2232 On 28th December
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Viewing Of The The Rosette Nebula On 29th December
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Brightest Jupiter On 7th December
Moon Phases And Occultations
The natural satellite of Earth displays itself with great angles in the night sky. If you want to capture the beauty of the Moon, then December is the right time. Also, if you don’t want any Moonlight for astrophotography then look for the date of the New Moon.
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New Moon On 1st December
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Lunar occultation of Neptune On 9th December
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The Moon At Perigee On 12th December
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The Moon At Aphelion On 14th December
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Full Moon On 15th December
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Moon at Last Quarter On 23rd December
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Mercury At Highest Altitude In Morning Sky On 23rd December
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The Moon At Apogee On 24th December
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New Moon On 30th December
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The Moon At Perihelion On 31st December
Winter Solstice On 21st December
The longest night of the year will be on 21st December. It also gives you an idea about the Earth’s position in the revolution around the Sun.
Final Thoughts On Astronomical Events In December 2024
Numerous astronomical events will bring the beauty of the universe to life in December 2024. These events include planetary conjunctions, meteor showers, moon phases, and other space objects. Planetary conjunctions occur when two heavenly bodies appear closer than they are, and meteor showers illuminate the night sky for a few seconds alongside the moon’s phases.
The night sky offers many objects to explore, including the Arms of the Milky Way, Mercury, Saturn, Neptune, Mars, Venus, Orion Nebula, Magellanic Cloud, and the famous Running Man Cluster. The longest night of the year will be on 21st December, providing insight into Earth’s position in the revolution around the Sun.
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)
What are the major astronomical events happening in December 2024?
Meteor showers, planetary conjunctions, different moon phases and other astronomical objects will be visible in the night sky of December 2024
When is the Geminid meteor shower peak, and how can I watch it?
The Geminids Meteor Shower is visible on 13th and 14th December.
What is the Cold Moon, and when can we see it?
Cold Moon is the other name for Full Moon and is visible on 15th December.
Will there be a planetary conjunction this month?
There are plenty of planetary conjunction in December.
What is the winter solstice, and when does it occur?
Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year and occurs on 21st December.
Can I see these events without a telescope?
You can examine most of the astronomical events with your naked eye.
Are these events visible worldwide?
Most of the events are visible in both Northern and Southern hemispheres. However, some unique astronomical events are only visible from specific locations.
What time is best to watch the Geminid meteor shower?
Midnight to early dawn is the best time to watch the Geminid meteor shower.
What should I bring for meteor shower viewing?
You should use a mobile application to track the direction of meteors. Other than that you can easily find the meteors once your eyes are adjusted to the dark.
How can I photograph these astronomical events?
You can photograph the astronomical events using high-end camera equipment. Also, the different flagship phones offer night mode which can also capture the beauty of the night sky.
