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Your guide to constellations, deep-sky objects, planets and events,
Tonight's Sky, Highlights of the December Sky
Evening Planets
Lovely Venus hangs low in the southwestern sky after sunset.
Use a telescope to make out its slender crescent profile.
By nightfall, Jupiter hovers above the eastern horizon.
As the night progresses, Jupiter climbs higher into the night sky.
Constellations and Deep-Sky Objects
Two prominent constellations in the December night sky
represent notable individuals of ancient Greek mythology.
The great hero Perseus holds the head of Medusa the Gorgon.
Located in Perseus is M34,
an open star cluster about 1,400 light-years away from us.
Open star clusters are groups of young stars
that all formed at the same time within a large cloud of dust and gas.
Look for it with the naked eye or with binoculars in a dark sky.
Queen Cassiopeia was punished for her conceit and vanity
by being tied to her throne.
Cassiopeia’s “M” or “W” shape makes this constellation easy to identify.
Eta Cassiopeiae is a wonderful and colorful double star.
Use binoculars or a small telescope to discern its gold and blue hues.
M103 in Cassiopeia is a fine open star cluster
with a prominent red star near the center.
Its fan shape is evident in binoculars.
Lying between Cassiopeia and Perseus is the lovely Double Cluster.
This pair of open star clusters is easy to see with binoculars.
The Double Cluster resembles a handful of diamonds
scattered on black velvet, with a ruby in between.
Morning Planets
Both Mars and Saturn are morning planets this month.
Look for them in the southeast before sunrise.
Events
The mid-December night sky hosts the lovely Geminid meteor shower.
The shower peaks on the night of December 13th to 14th.
Expect to see the most meteors after midnight,
zipping away from the constellation Gemini.
This year, the faintest Geminids will be difficult to spot
until the Moon sets a couple hours before dawn.
The night sky is always a celestial showcase.
Explore its wonders from your own backyard.