This week in the night sky, stargazers can look forward to celestial wonders such as the Cold Moon, bright Jupiter, and the peak of the Geminid meteor shower.
On Friday, December 13, the gibbous Moon will pass near Uranus in the early morning hours, providing an enticing sight with both celestial bodies visible together just before sunrise. Later in the evening, Uranus may be seen more clearly as it rises high in the eastern sky, approximately 40° above the horizon. Though the bright Moon could obscure some details, astronomers can spot Uranus using binoculars, where it will appear as a small grayish-blue disk.
While this Friday marks the peak of the Geminid meteor shower, visibility may be compromised due to the Moon’s brightness, which tends to overexpose the meteors. However, eager observers can still try to catch glimpses of meteors originating from near the constellation Gemini. The upcoming Ursid meteor shower, peaking just before Christmas, promises darker skies for better visibility.
Throughout the weekend, Saturday and Sunday will feature notable astronomical events as well, including the opposition of asteroid 15 Eunomia and the last Full Moon of 2024, known as the Cold Moon. On Sunday, the Full Moon will reach peak illumination early in the morning.
As we move further into the week, the constellations and planets will continue to offer spectacular views, including double stars for color contrast, the impressive rings of Saturn, and a close approach of Mars and the Moon.
Sunrise and sunset times remain consistent, while the Moon will gradually shift from waxing gibbous to waning phases over the week. Stargazers are encouraged to take advantage of clear nights for telescope sessions, especially to observe planets and interesting star formations.
In summary, this week’s astronomical events present excellent opportunities for stargazers to witness the beauty of the universe. The heightened visibility of celestial bodies reminds us of the vast wonders just beyond our reach and can inspire a sense of curiosity and wonder in all who take the time to look up at the night sky.