Eyes on the Sky Update: December 2024
Sunday, Dec. 1 – First New Moon of the month occurs at 1:21 a.m. for the Eastern Time Zone.
Wednesday, Dec. 4 – Start looking for the four-day old lunar crescent around 5 p.m. It will appear in the south-southwestern sky under the bright planet Venus. This celestial pair will be over the southwestern point around 6:15 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 8 – The moment of First Quarter Moon will be at 10:27 a.m. EST and will occur against the stars of Aquarius. The “star” to the lower right of the moon is the planet Saturn.
Monday, Dec. 9 – Get outside an hour before sunrise to see Mars in the west-southwest. Bring your binoculars to see the Beehive star cluster of Cancer the Crab just to the left of Mars.
Friday, Dec. 13 – This night will be the peak of one of the best meteor showers, the Geminids, but this year the bright light of the almost full moon will interfere.
Saturday, Dec. 14 – Look to the east at 6:45 p.m. to see the stars of Orion just clearing the eastern horizon. Above the hunter is the bright “star” of Jupiter and to the left is the moon just about nine hours before the moment of full moon.
Sunday, Dec. 15 – Full Moon occurs at 4:02 a.m. EST and the moon is opposite to the sun’s location in the sky. That evening, the moon rises far to the northeast at 4:22 p.m. while the sun is setting far to the southwest.
Saturday, Dec. 21 – Winter Solstice occurs at 4:21 a.m. when the sun reaches its lowest point on the celestial sphere and the sun is against the stars of Sagittarius. It is the shortest day of the year, but not the latest sunrise. That will occur on Jan. 3, 2025.
Sunday, Dec. 22 – Last Quarter Moon at 5:18 a.m. At this time, the moon will be found at its highest for the night, halfway up the sky over the south point.
Wednesday, Dec. 25 – Look for the star-like appearance of Mercury at its best in the southeastern morning sky around 6:30 a.m. Binoculars will help with finding this elusive planet in the dawn sky.
Monday, Dec. 30 – Second New Moon of the month for the Eastern Time Zone. In the internet age, the second new moon of the month has become known as the Black Moon because the new moon cannot be seen (except during a solar eclipse).
Editor’s Note: Richard Monda, is an assistant professor of Astronomy and Physics in the Biology, Chemistry and Physics Department and the creator of HVCC Eyes on the Sky, a YouTube video series.