December 2008 astronomy events

The month begins with Jupiter and Saturn close together in the southwest at sunset. The thin crescent moon is nearby. The moon zooms away to the east from night to night. Venus is higher in the sky every night and pulls away from Jupiter. Actually, Jupiter could be said to be dropping into the sunset. Mercury will emerge from the solar glare and pair up with Jupiter toward the end of the month. The moon will pass by them on the 28th. You won't see Mars because it's on the other side of the sun.

Those who like to watch Jupiter's moons will find two times later this month when two of the moons are involved in events at the same time. Io and Europa have overlapping events on the 24th and 28th. The two moons will make shadows on Jupiter's disk late on the 24th and again midday on the 28th.

The full moon will interfere with this year's Geminid meteor shower which peaks around the 13th and 14th. It's a multi-color show in some years.

This month's full moon is on the 12th. The moon is at perigee the same day. And northern lunistice occurs the same day. This will be a particular close, high, and bright full moon for those in the northern hemisphere.

Winter solstice is on the 21st.

The moon will occult Venus on the 1st. This will be visible from some parts of Europe. A limited number of viewers in Africa may see an occultation of Antares by the moon on the 25th. Otherwise, it's a daytime event.