Overview

• December is a prime time for stargazing with two meteor showers, the Geminids and Ursids, predicted to peak on December 13-14 and December 22-23 respectively.
• The planet Mercury will be at its farthest from the sun, making it brighter than most stars on December 4.
• The winter solstice, marking the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, will occur on December 21.
• The last full moon of the year, known as the Cold Moon, will reach its peak illumination on December 26.
• The bright planet Jupiter will be visible all night, all month, shining as the 'Star of Bethlehem'.