December Skywatching Highlights: Meteor Showers, Planetary Alignments, and the Opportunity to Observe Asteroid Vesta
This December, skywatchers can enjoy a variety of celestial events, including the Geminid meteor shower, the opportunity to observe asteroid Vesta, and the alignment of the Moon with planets like Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter.
The Geminid meteor shower is set to peak on the night of December 13th and into the early morning of the 14th. With ideal viewing conditions and no interference from a bright Moon, stargazers can expect to see a stunning display of meteors, with the potential to see one every minute during the peak.
In addition to the meteor shower, December also presents the opportunity to observe asteroid Vesta. The asteroid will be at opposition, meaning it is directly on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, and at its closest and brightest for the year. Skywatchers can use binoculars or a small telescope to search for Vesta, which will be visible as it moves northward in the sky between the constellations Gemini and Orion.
Other notable skywatching events in December include the alignment of the Moon with planets like Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter on specific dates throughout the month. With clear skies, skywatchers will have the chance to witness the Moon in close proximity to these bright celestial bodies, providing beautiful and memorable viewing opportunities.
Additionally, NASA’s Dawn spacecraft discovered that Vesta formed in our solar system’s first couple of million years, and mapped the surface in great detail. The spacecraft also revealed that Vesta is oval-shaped, and it has provided valuable insight into the asteroid’s composition and history.
For those eager to witness more asteroid exploration, NASA’s Psyche mission recently launched on its journey to the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, while the Lucy spacecraft flew past asteroid Dinkinesh at the start of November and is heading for the Trojan asteroids.
With a range of celestial events on display throughout the month, December promises to be an exciting time for skywatchers and astronomy enthusiasts. Whether observing meteor showers, planetary alignments, or asteroid Vesta, there are plenty of opportunities to look up and marvel at the wonders of the night sky.