Celestial events in December- an incredible month awaits.

An incredible conjunction, a fantastic meteor shower, and a total solar eclipse. What a month!

December 13/14- The Geminids Meteor Shower
This is the best meteor shower of the year, and it coinsides with a new moon. How lucky is that? I'll be travelling to dark clear skies around this time to watch the incredible show and take some pictures. Up to 120 colorful meteors per hour will be visible entering Earth's atmosphere. The radial point will be the Gemini constellation, but they will streak across the whole sky. Strongly recommend getting out of city light pollution for this. 

December 14th- New moon
This is always the best time to go stargazing from dark skies, and astrophotographers  won't have to compete with the bright moonlight. Since there will be a great meteor shower happening, I recommend taking full advantage of the closest dark skies to you.

December 14th- Total Solar Eclipse
A once-in-a-lifetime event I encourage everyone to find a way to exeperience. I was able to witness than great american eclipse in 2017 and since then have been pining to see another. Initially I planned to visit South America to view this one, but the pandemic made it impossible for me. I encourage any of you that have the ability to get to Chile or Argentina to experience this. Here is a map showing the path of totality: https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEplot/SEplot2001/SE2020Dec14T.GIF

December 21st- The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
Every 20 years or so, Jupiter and Saturn pass eachother in the sky. Some years are close than others thanks to their respective tilts in their orbits. This year, is the closest they've been in nearly 400 years. They will both appear in the same view of a telescope eyepiece even at relatively high magnification. Their proximity to the sun will mean they will be only visible just after sunset, otherwise if it can be done safely, you can capture them during the day. The planets will be fairly close in the days leading up to and following this event, but the closest they will be is on the evening of the 21st.

December 21st/22nd- Urside meteor shower
While not nearly as exciting as the Geminids, this meteor shower will be best observed after the moon sets (around midnight) from dark skies. You'll only see a meteor every 10 minutes or so. They will appear to be coming from Ursa Minor. 

December 30th- the last full moon of the year
This is known as the "cold moon". The bright moon will rise at sunset and will be fully illuminated, bright enough to cast shadows on this cold winter night.