There Are Many Events in Space This Month
This year has taken away most of the good things from us. We were forced to lock ourselves indoors, isolated from friends, family and everyday comforts. When existence has turned into a monotonous tedious job, you may have trouble finding things that might excite you, but nature can always help change that. Take December, for example, which is absolutely filled with celestial events that will turn the sky into a playground for serious astronomers and star lovers.
Here is a snapshot of some of the major events taking place many miles above the Earth this month. Get your binoculars or telescope ready and take note.
Geminid meteor shower
This grand visual celebration is a significant event on the celestial calendar every year. This happens as Earth passes through a field of scattered debris left by the orbit of asteroid Pantheon 3200. The meteor show is active from December 4 to 17, and while it usually lives up to our astronomical expectations, this year space is blessing us. with a show that should be even more gorgeous than usual.
NASA explains why, as well as how to see it fly through the sky next to you:
The Geminids produce large numbers of meteors in most years, but they’ve gotten even better this year as the peak of rain coincides with near-new moon. (This way, the sky gets darker and the moonlight does not interfere with the weaker meteors.) Geminid Peak from the night of December 13 to the morning of the 14th, with some meteoric activity seen in the days before and after. For the Northern Hemisphere, viewing is good all night, with activity peaking at 2 a.m. local time, and for Southern Hemisphere viewers after midnight.
For ideal viewing conditions, lie on your back and away from light sources.
Jupiter and Saturn will “kiss”
The “kiss” between the two planets occurs every 20 years, but this one has historical significance as it will be the closest since 1226. What is planetary kiss? These are not so much two giant balls of gas interlocking with their lips, as the close convergence of the planets, as viewed from Earth. Astronomers call this phenomenon “the great conjunction.” At their peak this year, the planets will be just 0.1 degrees apart, or roughly 1/5 the diameter of the full moon, according to EarthSky . This peak will come on December 21st, but you can catch a glimpse of the ongoing phenomenon throughout December – and it can be observed from anywhere on Earth.
NASA offers simple instructions on how to observe Jupiter and Saturn, uh, while sitting in a tree, writing in a statement, “Look over the western horizon after sunset at these bright, nearby planets – a clear view will help!”
And you don’t want to miss, because it will be the closest planetary conjunction until 2080.
Total solar eclipse
Disclaimer: This one is only visible on earth for people in South America, but an internet connection can bring it straight to your home anywhere in the world via live streaming . This will be the only solar eclipse of 2020. If you think back to the pandemonium that followed the 2017 solar eclipse across the United States, this year’s event might give you enough reason to log in and check it out. Set a reminder for December 14 at 11:00 AM EST.
Northern winter solstice
This is an annual tradition you can count on, with the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice falling on December 21st. You don’t have to work that hard to see this: depending on where you live, the sun will reach its southernmost point. noon, which means “the shortest daylight hours per year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest daylight hours in the Southern Hemisphere,” according to Space.com. As with all heavenly events, pray for a clear sky.
With a precarious winter approaching inevitably, it’s good to have literal bright spots on your calendar.