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As Christmas approaches, which is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year, there is a lot to see when it comes to events in space for astronomers.
It begins with a simple meteor shower and ends with one of the most spectacular space events we will witness in our life, with the “great conjunction” of our largest planets: Jupiter and Saturn.
This is your sky guide for December.
Space events of December 2020 in Australia
- Phoenicid Meteor Shower (December 2)
- Close approach of Venus and the Moon (December 12)
- Geminid Meteor Shower (December 14)
- Approaching Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon (December 16)
- Super conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn (21 and 22 December)
Phoenicid Meteor shower
2 December
Australia has one of the best places to see the first meteor shower of December.
The Phoenicid Meteor rain is not as active as the Geminids which will be visible over the course of the month, but you will still be able to glimpse some “shooting stars” every hour during the evening.
Close approach of Venus and Moon
December 12
During the early hours of this day (around 3am AEDT), Venus will be very close to our Moon.
The Moon will only be illuminated around 4% when Venus passes within 45 arc minutes (less than one degree) of our orbiting satellite.
Geminid Meteor shower
December 14
The most spectacular light show in the sky will reach its peak on the evening of December 14th.
We are talking about 120 meteors per hour throughout the night. Activity is expected to peak around 11pm (AEDT) and will also be along with the New Moon, so it will be the perfect viewing experience.
Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon are approaching
December 16
As Jupiter and Saturn prepare for one of the most anticipated astronomical events of the year on December 21, both planets will be in close proximity to the Moon.
The best time to see it will be at 8:15 pm (AEDT), when the moon sets in the WSW.
Super conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
21 and 22 December
Jupiter and Saturn will become very close. When two planets appear close together in the sky, astronomers call it conjunction.
For Jupiter and Saturn, this is the closest since 1623, so it’s really a once in a lifetime event.
If you have a telescope, both planets will be visible in the same field of view. Without a telescope, the planets will appear as one bright planet.
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