By Heather Durham | November 30, 2023
As we stand at the threshold of December, the celestial canvas begins with the grandeur of the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. This astronomical spectacle marks the zenith of Earth’s axial tilt, ushering in the shortest day and longest night of the year. As daylight wanes, the northern lands are embraced by winter’s tender touch, inviting contemplation beneath the starry expanse.
December 1. The month’s celestial odyssey commences with a celestial whisper, as stars twinkle above, narrating tales etched in the ancient glow of their light. Cast your eyes upon the cosmic tableau, where constellations beckon, inviting you to explore the vast celestial library overhead.
December 2. The cosmic ballet continues its enchanting performance on this second eve of December. Stars, like luminescent dancers, gracefully adorn the night sky. Allow your gaze to be captivated by the celestial choreography, where each twinkle tells a story written in the language of the cosmos.
December 4. Mercury takes center stage, reaching its greatest elongation east on this celestial evening. The elusive messenger of the gods extends a fast moving glow on the western horizon, captivating those who peer into the gathering darkness.
December 6. Prepare for the ethereal December ψ-Cassiopeid meteor shower, a celestial spectacle painting streaks of ephemeral brilliance across the vast cosmic canvas. Look skyward and witness the transient beauty of meteors dancing through the night.
December 7. The Puppid-Velid meteor shower graces the heavens, a celestial symphony composed of cosmic dust and meteors. Allow the night to unfold, and marvel at the celestial fireworks illuminating the darkness.
December 8. Mercury, the elusive wanderer, reaches dichotomy and ascends to its highest point in the evening sky. A celestial ballet unfolds as the swift planet captivates observers with its luminous presence against the backdrop of the cosmos.
December 9. The Moon and Venus engage in a delicate celestial dance, approaching and in conjunction with each other. Meanwhile, the Monocerotid meteor shower casts ethereal sparks, adding to the cosmic spectacle.
December 12. The α-Hydrid meteor shower graces the night sky, a celestial phenomenon that enriches the tapestry of the cosmos with its fleeting radiance. Look up and witness the dance of meteors in the December night.
December 14. The Geminid meteor shower takes center stage, showering the heavens with a mesmerizing display of celestial fireworks. Brace yourself for a celestial performance as meteors streak across the night sky in a cosmic symphony.
December 17. The Moon and Saturn converge in a celestial embrace, their distant connection forming a bridge between the terrestrial and the astral. Cast your eyes upon this celestial rendezvous and contemplate the cosmic forces at play.
December 19. The Moon reaches its first quarter, casting a gentle glow on the night. Take a moment to appreciate the lunar beauty and the quiet splendor it adds to the December sky.
December 20. The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower graces the celestial stage, adding another layer to the month’s astronomical extravaganza. Look to the heavens and witness the dance of meteors this December eve.
December 21. As we reach the celestial pivot point, the December solstice marks a moment of astronomical significance. The sun pauses in its journey, casting its rays at their most oblique angle upon the northern hemisphere, signaling the official arrival of winter.
December 22. The Moon and Jupiter engage in a celestial tango, their proximity a testament to the gravitational forces that shape our cosmic neighborhood. Look skyward and witness the cosmic dance between our celestial neighbor and the giant gas planet.
December 23. The Ursid meteor shower graces the night sky, a celestial fireworks display that adds a touch of magic to the waning nights of the year. Look to the heavens and marvel at the fleeting brilliance of meteors streaking across the cosmic expanse.
December 24. The close approach of the Moon and M45, the Pleiades star cluster, paints a celestial tableau that weaves tales of mythology into the fabric of the night sky. Cast your eyes upon this cosmic rendezvous and let the stories of the celestial realm unfold.
December 26. The Full Moon graces the winter landscape with its luminous glow, illuminating the night with a celestial radiance. Take a moment to bask in the lunar glow that bathes the December night.
December 30. Jupiter concludes its retrograde motion, a celestial resolution that echoes the ebb and flow of the cosmic dance. Look to the skies and witness the subtle celestial dynamics as the gas giant resumes its forward journey in the celestial tapestry of December.
(Two of the meteor shower names include letters from the Greek alphabet. The Greek letters employed are α, which might be pronounced as “alpha,” and ψ, which might be pronounced as “psi.” (The word or term alphabet is itself derived from the first two Greek letters alpha and beta)).
References:
Ford, D.F. (November 28,2023). December 2023. Retrieved from https://in-the-sky.org/newscal.php?year=2023&month=11
Milton Observer 