Stargazing Opportunities for December 2024

Stargazers may typically imagine themselves staring at the surrounding universe on a starry summer night. The warmer months of the year offer numerous celestial events to enjoy. But the dedicated gazer will miss much if they ignore the darkest month of the year. December will force you to brave the cold temperatures and frequently stormy conditions. The many interesting events in the night sky make it worthy of all efforts. Here are the best astronomy events to plan for before the world says goodbye to 2024.

A Brightly Shining Jupiter on December 7th

Jupiter will not only reach its peak brightness on December 7th because of its closeness to Earth, but it will also reach opposition. Opposition means it is in orbit in the sky directly across from the sun. Viewing this sparkling gem is simple because it will remain visible to the naked eye throughout the night. If you have a telescope handy, you will get a bonus of seeing its four largest moons, made more visible by the exceptional brightness of the planet.

Our solar system's largest planet will not be this bright again until 2026. If you miss seeing it on the 7th due to cloud cover or stormy weather, do not fret. The planet will be visible, though not as brightly, throughout the month.

Geminid Meteor Shower Sparkles on December 12th-13th