As the year winds down and holiday festivities ramp up, the night sky is preparing its own dazzling displays. December 2024 promises brilliant planetary sightings, meteor showers, and special opportunities to catch the Moon playing “hide and seek” with neighboring celestial bodies. Whether you’re watching from your backyard, gathering virtually with family, or venturing to a star party, you’ll find plenty of reasons to look up. This guide will help you and your loved ones connect under the same cosmic canopy—no matter where you are in the world.

(Want to know more about my personal journey through astronomy? Check out my bio, “An Astronomers Journey: My Path to the Stars.”)

For a day-by-day breakdown of what’s up in the night sky, I highly recommend visiting NASA’s Daily Sky Watching Guide. It’s an excellent resource to keep track of the best viewing times and cosmic alignments throughout the month and beyond.

December 2024’s Celestial Highlights

Jupiter at Opposition (Dec 7):
On December 7, Jupiter will shine at its brightest as it reaches opposition in the constellation Taurus. After sunset, look southeast for a bright, steady “star” that outshines all others except Venus. Even your unaided eyes will see Jupiter’s brilliance, but a pair of binoculars can reveal its four largest moons, appearing as tiny points of light flanking the planet. With a backyard telescope, you’ll observe its cloud bands and maybe even the famous Great Red Spot.

Moon Meets Saturn (Dec 8):
In the predawn hours of December 8, a half-illuminated Moon will cozy up close to Saturn in Aquarius. While they’ll be easy to spot with the naked eye, binoculars offer a lovely pairing, letting you appreciate Saturn’s subtle glow. In parts of eastern Indonesia, Japan, and neighboring regions, lucky observers may catch the Moon briefly blocking Saturn in a lunar occultation—an unforgettable sight!

Geminid Meteor Shower (Peaks Dec 14):
The Geminids, often the year’s best meteor shower, will peak around December 14. Under perfect conditions, they can produce up to 150 meteors per hour. This year’s nearly Full Moon, however, will wash out most of the fainter “shooting stars.” If you’re patient, you might still catch a few bright streaks. Plan to watch after midnight—just find a spot away from city lights, lie back, and scan the sky. Even if you only catch a few, the experience is well worth braving the chill.

Moon Near Jupiter (Dec 14):
Just when you’re coming down from the Geminid excitement, the Moon cozies up to Jupiter on December 14. You’ll see the nearly full Moon and brilliant Jupiter shining just a few degrees apart in Taurus. This duo makes for easy, naked-eye viewing—perfect for sharing a view over a holiday family video call.

Full Cold Moon (Dec 15):
December’s Full Moon, known as the Cold Moon, occurs on December 15. Its presence will brighten the night sky all evening, making it an excellent reference point if you’re helping friends or family learn to navigate the stars. The bright lunar light does limit faint stargazing, but for first-timers, the Moon is a comforting gateway object.

Moon and Mars (Dec 18):
Before dawn on December 18, the Moon slides near Mars in the constellation Cancer. This pairing is visible to the naked eye, but binoculars bring out Mars’s subtle reddish hue. Some regions (like parts of Canada and Alaska) might catch a lunar occultation, seeing the Moon briefly cover the Red Planet.

December Solstice (Dec 21):
The solstice is an event we can all share, no equipment necessary. On December 21, winter officially begins in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s a cosmic reminder that we’re all on the same planet, spinning through space under the same sky.

Ursid Meteor Shower (Dec 22):
Though less intense than the Geminids, the Ursids (originating near the Little Dipper) offer a steady stream of meteors. Best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere, you could see up to 10 meteors per hour. With a waning Moon on your side, you might catch a few. Bundle up, sip hot cocoa, and enjoy the view!

Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation (Dec 25):
Start your Christmas morning by looking low on the eastern horizon before sunrise. Mercury reaches its greatest separation from the Sun, making it easier to spot. Catching the innermost planet of our solar system is a fun challenge for more seasoned skywatchers and a unique holiday memory.

New Moon (Dec 30):
The New Moon provides a dark-sky window—ideal conditions for searching out faint star clusters and galaxies with binoculars or a telescope. This is stargazing at its finest, a quiet way to reflect as the year comes to a close.

How to Enjoy December’s Night Sky with Your Family

Just Your Eyes:

• Moon & Bright Planets: Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars are all easily visible this December, and the Moon acts as a “cheat sheet,” helping you find each planet when they line up in the sky.
• Meteor Showers: Even if the Full Moon steals the show during the Geminids peak, you might still see a few bright streaks. Making a wish on a “shooting star” is a timeless tradition, perfect for connecting generations.

With Binoculars:

• Jupiter’s Moons: Even a simple pair of binoculars will reveal tiny points of light around Jupiter—its four largest moons. Watch them change position nightly as they orbit the giant planet.
• Star Clusters: If the sky is dark enough (especially near the New Moon on December 30), you can spot star clusters like the Pleiades (the Seven Sisters). They’re especially bright and beautiful this time of year.

With a Telescope:

• Saturn’s Rings: A small telescope transforms Saturn from a bright dot into a jaw-dropping planet with rings. It’s often the highlight of a first-time telescope user’s night.
• Jupiter’s Cloud Bands: While binoculars show you Jupiter’s moons, a telescope reveals the planet’s stripes and maybe even the Great Red Spot.

Celebrating the Holidays Under the Stars

If you’re celebrating with family or friends spread across the country or globe, pick a time to step outside and admire the sky together. You might not be in the same room, but you’ll be under the same stars. Compare who can see what—maybe someone in a rural area can spot the Pleiades while their urban-dwelling cousin struggles, or someone farther north can see the Big Dipper perched higher in their sky.

And if you’re in the Boulder area—or visiting—come join us in person! I’m hosting regular stargazing tours just outside of Boulder multiple times a week. You can book a session, learn the constellations, and see these cosmic wonders up close through our telescopes. For a special treat, we’re also holding a one-night-only event in Denver on December 12. Don’t miss this rare opportunity!

Book your Boulder stargazing adventure
Reserve your spot for the Denver event on 12/12 (AboutBoulder readers can get 5$ tickets for this one with the code VOYAGER)

From bright planets to meteor showers, from the comfort of your home to gatherings under the open sky, this December invites us to connect with the universe and each other. Wishing you clear skies and a wonderful holiday season!