By Heather Durham | November 30, 2020
December 21 brings with it the final solstice of 2020 – the Winter Solstice along with an astronomical once in a lifetime event that last happened in 1623. Here is a quote I selected to describe this solstice.
There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you … In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself. – Ruth Stout.
December 5. The φ-Cassiopeid [Phi-Cassiopeid] meteor shower, from the Constellation Andromeda, will show this date. It will be prevalent throughout the night.
December 7. Today, we will have the last quarter of the Moon.
December 8. The Monocerotid meteor shower in the Constellation Monoceros, will be on display. This will remain active until dawn.
December 11. The σ-Hydrid [Sigma-Hydrid] meteor shower, from the Constellation Hydra, will put on a show. As was the case with the Monocerotid shower, this too, should be visible until dawn.
December 14. Yet another meteor shower – the Geminid, in the Constellation Gemini, will sprinkle the evening skies on this date. Yet another one with prime viewing near dawn.
December 15. The Comae Berenicid meteor shower, from the Constellation Leo, will be great today. This should be around until after dawn breaks.
December 16. The Moon and Jupiter will rise closely to one another.
December 17. The Moon along with Jupiter and Saturn will rise closely to one another.
December 19. The Leonid Minorid meteor shower, from the Constellation Leo Minor, should be prolific today. It’s best show will be at 5:00 EST.
December 21. Today is the midwinter solstice – the shortest amount of daylight. Jupiter and Saturn will rise very closely to one another [The Great Conjunction]. These two planets haven’t risen this closely since 1623. The Moon will be at first quarter.
December 22. We will be delighted with the Ursid meteor shower, from the Constellation Ursa Minor today. This will be active throughout the night.
December 23. The Moon and Mars will rise closely to one another.
December 29. This date will bring us the first full Moon of winter. It is referred to as the Old Moon.
References:
Hunt, Jeffrey L. (2020, February 20). 1623: The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Retrieved from whenthecurveslineup.com/2020/02/20/1623-the-great-conjunction-of-jupiter-and-saturn/
In The Sky. (2020, November 28). Night Sky Guide. Retrieved from in-the-sky.org/data/data.php
Wikipedia. (2020, October 14). Coma Berenicids. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_Berenicids
Wikipedia. (2020, November 4). Geminids. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geminids
Wikipedia. (2020, November 29). Great Conjunction. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_conjunction
Wikipedia. (2020, November 26). Leonids. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonids
Wikipedia. (2020, November 21). Monocerotids. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monocerotids
Wikipedia. (2020, July 23). Sigma Hydrids. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_Hydrids
Wikipedia. (2020, April 18). Ursids. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursids
Wise Old Sayings. (2020 November 27). Winter Sayings and Winter Quotes. Retrieved from www.wisesayings.com/winter-quotes/#ixzz6f1YQxqKw
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