Was it Venus, Jupiter or Mars? Or a combination of the three? The origin of the “Star of Bethlehem” or “Christmas Star” remains a mystery, though all three make a good case for themselves this December as they all get close to their peak brightness.
Elsewhere, you can watch a full moon rise higher into the sky than any other, get beautiful views of a crescent moon and Venus immediately after sunset, and enjoy some spectacular Northern Lights.
Here are the stargazing, moon-watching and night sky highlights for December 2024:
A Crescent Moon And Venus In Conjunction
When: after sunset on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Where: western sky.
As well as being visible each evening in the west after sunset, Venus is now getting crazy-bright as it comes closest to Earth in February 2025. It will be joined by a 14%-lit crescent moon tonight in one of the most beautiful celestial sights.
Jupiter At Opposition: The ‘Christmas Star’?
When: after sunset on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Where: eastern sky.
Tonight, the “King of Planets” will align with Earth and the sun, showing -off its entire disk and rising opposite the sunset as it gets closest to Earth. This is the best night of the year to see it with a telescope or binoculars, though it will remain a spectacular sight in the night sky until mid-January.
Northern Lights
When: after sunset all month (possible).
Where: northern/entire sky.
With the sun now in its “solar maximum” period — and at its most active for 23 years — the solar wind is frequently intense. Consequently, geomagnetic storms in Earth’s magnetic field are becoming more common, and displays of the Northern Lights are creeping ever more southerly. Watch my feed for forecasts.
‘Cold Moon’ Rising
When: moonrise where you are on Sunday, Dec. 16
Where: east-northeast
The twelfth and final full moon of 2024 and the third of fall in the northern hemisphere, the “Cold Moon” — also known as the “Long Nights Moon” and the “Moon Before Yule” — will rise with four bright lights around it. As it rises and twilight turns dark, you’ll see Capella in Auriga to its upper left, Pollux in Gemini to its lower left, Jupiter to its upper right, and Betelgeuse to its lower right.
Moon And Mars In Conjunction
When: Tuesday, Dec. 17
Where: east
Mars will come to opposition on Jan. 16, 2025, something it only does every 26 months as it swings close to Earth. That’s why it’s so bright — and so obviously red — and that’s why tonight’s sight of a waning gibbous moon shining just a degree from the red planet will be such a beautiful sight.
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
