This December brings two exciting meteor showers – the Geminid and Ursid – as well as a rare opportunity to view Jupiter in the night sky.
First, mark your calendars for Saturday, Dec. 7, when Jupiter reaches opposition, the point in its orbit where it appears opposite the sun. This event makes Jupiter visible all night long without any telescope or binoculars required. You can also spot its four largest moons with a bit more equipment.
In contrast, the Geminid meteor shower peaks on Thursday, Dec. 12, and Friday, Dec. 13. While it usually produces up to 120 meteors per hour, this year’s full moon may dim some of the fainter ones. To spot the shooting stars, focus on darker areas of the sky where the moon isn’t visible.
The final full moon of the year, known as the Cold Moon, occurs on Dec. 15 and carries multiple nicknames – including Little Spirit Moon, Hoar Frost Moon, Winter Maker Moon, and Peaking at 3:02 a.m. CT, it will be visible for hours during one of the longest nights of the year.
Last but not least, the Ursid meteor shower coincides with the winter solstice on Dec. 21-22, offering up to 10 meteors per hour in the Northern Hemisphere. This celestial display is best viewed from northern locations where stargazers can fully appreciate its magic during the first night of astronomical winter.
Source: https://eu.statesman.com/story/news/state/2024/12/06/december-cosmic-calendar-geminid-ursids-cold-moon-jupiter-texas/76823451007