December 21, 2024: The winter solstice occurs this morning. The bright gibbous moon is visible before sunrise. Five bright planets shine during the nighttime hours.
Tag: Venus
2024, December 20: Morning Celestial Display
December 20, 2024: Before sunrise a morning celestial display includes Mercury, Mars, and the gibbous moon. Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars are visible after sunset.
2024, December 17: Sky View: Mars-Moon Conjunction, Mercury Emerges
December 17, 2024: A close Mars-Moon conjunction occurs overnight. Before sunrise, Mercury emerges from brighter sunlight.
2024, December 16: Night with the Planets
December 16, 2024: During the night five bright planets are visible from after sunset until sunrise the next morning.
2024, December 13-15: Cold Moon Passes Jupiter
December 13-15, 2024: The Cold Moon passes Jupiter and Taurus in the eastern sky during the early evening hours. Venus and Saturn are also part of the display.
2024, December 12: Venus-Mars Opposition
December 12, 2024: Venus and Mars are in opposition. They are in opposite directions in the sky. Venus sets as Mars rises.
2024, December 11-20: Mars Accelerates Westward
December 11-20, 2024: Mars retrograde accelerates and opens a gap to the Beehive star cluster. The Red Planet is part of a nightly planet display that begins with brilliant Venus after sunset.
2024, December 10: Venus Steps Eastward
December 10, 2024: Venus steps eastward against Capricornus’ stars. It sets later each evening and brightens during the next month.
2024, December 9: Evening Planets Line Up
December 9, 2024: Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and the moon line up along an imaginary arc that spans the sky after sunset. Mars joins the scene later during the night.
2024, December 7-8: Evening Moon Passes Saturn
December 7-8, 2024: During the early evening hours, the moon passes Saturn in the southern sky. Four bright planets are visible after sundown.