Winter Skywatching: Planets and Meteor Showers in December 2024

This December, space enthusiasts can enjoy a spectacular winter sky display featuring planets, iconic stars, and a rare meteor shower. The season’s best viewing opportunities include seeing Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars in the night sky. For those interested in astronomy, this is also the perfect time to spot the Winter Triangle, which consists of three bright stars: Deneb, Altair, and Vega.

The Geminid Meteor Shower, one of the most active and reliable annual displays, peaks on December 13th-14th. The shower is caused by the Earth passing through a trail of comet debris left behind by a small asteroid. On average, the Geminid meteor shower produces around 120 meteors per hour at its peak.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and other space agencies provide regular updates on celestial events, making it easier for skywatchers to plan their viewing sessions. With these celestial wonders on display, December 2024 promises to be an exciting month for stargazers around the world.

Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/planets-winter-stars-geminid-meteor-123000152.html