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December Sky Guide
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17 years 3 weeks ago #55338
by Neill
December Sky Guide was created by Neill
Hi all,
Sky guide for December is below. Enjoy.
OBSERVING GUIDE
(Please note all times are UT and are based on an observing location of Belfast)
The Sun
At the start of the month the Sun rises at 08:20 and sets at 16:05. By the end of the month, it rises at 08:45 and sets at 16:05.
The Planets
On the evening of Christmas Eve, Mars lies less than three degrees to the North of the open cluster – M35.
Mercury is badly placed for observation this month as it is at superior conjunction on the 17th. At the start of the month, it rises less than an hour before the Sun at 07:30. By month’s end it has become an evening object, but sets less than half an hour after the Sun at 16:30.
Venus is a prominent morning object this month, rising at the start of the month at 04:00 and by month’s end it rises at 05:30. It fades from mag -4.2 at the start of the month to mag -4.1 by month’s end.
Mars is at opposition on Christmas Eve. It rises at 17:35 at the start of month and by month’s end; it rises during daylight hours. It is present in Gemini throughout the month and brightens from mag -1.3 at the start of the month to mag -1.5 by month’s end.
Jupiter is badly placed for observation this month as it is at conjunction on the 23rd. At the start of the month, it sets at 17:05, only one hour after the Sun. By month’s end, it has become a morning object, but rises less than half an hour before the Sun at 08:20.
Saturn rises at the start of the month at 23:25 and by month’s end, it rises at 21:25. It can be found in Leo and brightens from mag +0.7 at the start of the month to mag +0.6 by month’s end.
Uranus can be found in the South in Aquarius. It sets at 00:20 at the start of the month and by month’s end, it sets at 22:20. It fades from mag +5.8 to mag +5.9 by month’s end. It can be located between Phi Aquarii, a mag +4.2 star and Lambda Aquarii, a mag +3.7 star.
Neptune can found in the South in Capricornus. At the start of the month, it sets at 21:45 and by month’s end, it sets at 19:50. It fades from mag +7.9 to mag +8.0 by month’s end.
The Moon
The first last quarter moon of the month is on the 1st, the new moon is on the 9th with the first quarter moon on the 17th. The full moon this month is on the 24th. The second last quarter moon of the month is on the 31st.
On the evening of November 30th / morning of December 1st, a 53% illuminated waning gibbous moon closes in on Saturn and the pair will be three degrees apart at sunrise.
On the morning of December 5th, a 16% illuminated waning crescent moon lies close to Venus, to the South-West of the planet.
On the evening of the 14th, a 22% illuminated waxing crescent moon lies less than two degrees to the South of Neptune.
On the evening of the 16th, a 42% illuminated waxing crescent moon lies less than two degrees to the North of Uranus.
On the evening of the 21st, a 93% illuminated gibbous moon passes through the Northern part of M45 – The Pleiades. The event takes place between 21:00 and Midnight approximately.
On the evening of the 23rd/ morning of Christmas Eve, the newly full moon passes very close to Mars.
On the evening of the 27th/morning of the 28th, Saturn and a 79% illuminated waning gibbous moon lie close to each other with the moon to the West of the planet.
Meteors
The Monocerotids peak on the evening of the 9th with a ZHR of 3. There will be no lunar interference for this shower.
The Hydrids peak on the evening of the 12th with a ZHR of 2. There will be no lunar interference for this shower. The radiant in Hydra is low in the South and is only really visible in the pre-dawn hours on the morning of the 13th.
The Geminids peak during daylight hours on the 14th. The ZHR for the peak is 120, but if you do a meteor session on the nights of the 13th and 14th, you should see some lovely bright slow meteors. Lunar interference for either night should be minimal with a 15% illuminated waxing crescent moon setting at 19:30 on the evening of the 13th and a 23% illuminated waxing crescent moon setting at 20:55 on the evening of the 14th.
The Coma Berenicids peak on the evening of the 20th. The ZHR is 5, but the 89% illuminated waxing gibbous moon creates significant lunar interference, setting at 05:50 on the morning of the 21st.
There is a POSSIBLE outburst from the Lyncids on the morning of the 21st. This shower has only been observed once before and if this outburst does occur, it will prove the shower is due to an unknown long-period comet. The peak is estimated at 03:40 with a recommendation to start observing from between 01:00 and 2:00. The radiant is in Lynx and the estimated ZHR for the peak is anything between 60 and 100. This peak is estimated to last twenty minutes with the outburst itself lasting maybe an hour. Unfortunately there will probably be lunar interference for this event, if it happens as the 89% illuminated waxing gibbous moon sets at 05:50.
The Ursids peak on the evening of the 22nd. The ZHR is 10, but the 99% illuminated waxing gibbous moon creates significant lunar interference, setting at 08:50 on the morning of the 23rd.
Comets
Comet 8P/Tuttle has returned to our skies. It is predicted to peak at mag +5.7 at the end of December/beginning of January. During December it moves out of Ursa Minor and passes through Cepheus, Cassiopeia and Andromeda before ending up in Triangulum by month’s end.
Current observations estimate the comet’s brightness at mag +9.5. Between the 10th and 12th, it passes less than two degrees to the West of Gamma Cephei with a predicted brightness of mag +8.5. Then between the 20th and 22nd, with a predicted brightness of mag +7.0, it travels through Cassiopeia and on the 21st, it will be within one degree of Gamma Cassiopeiae – the middle star of the ‘W’.
The Comet then travels through Andromeda between Christmas Day and the 29th. On the 27th, it passes six degrees to the East of M31 – The Andromeda Galaxy with a predicted brightness of mag +6.3. It leaves Andromeda by passing four degrees East of Beta Andromedae on the evening of the 28th. It then moves into Triangulum and passes within a degree of M33 on the evening of the 30th. The comet ends the month in Triangulum close to its predicted peak brightness.
Comet 17P/Holmes can be located in Perseus for the month of December. Current observations estimate its brightness at mag +3.6. During the month it moves slowly away from Mirfak (Alpha Persei) and lies to the South West of the star.
Up to date information and finder charts for comets can be found at www.aerith.net and
www.skyhound.com/sh/comets.html
Deep Sky
On the deep sky front this month, M31 – the Great Andromeda Galaxy can be found in Andromeda, along with its two satellite galaxies – M32 and M110. M33 – a good spiral galaxy can be found in Triangulum. The Double Cluster – NGC 869 and NGC 884 makes for a great sight in Perseus. M42 – The Great Orion Nebula is a must see. In Taurus – M45 – The Pleiades and the Hyades are both excellent targets. Also in Taurus, M1 – The Crab Nebula – the Supernova Remnant can be located. Finally there are some excellent open clusters in Auriga, Gemini and Cancer - M35 in Gemini, M36, M37 and M38 in Auriga and M44 – The Beehive Cluster and M67 in Cancer.
For further observing information, check out www.eaas.co.uk/stargazers.html .
General Notes
Always keep an eye out for Aurorae. Check out www.stronge.org.uk/spaceweather.html for the most up-to-date information on the aurorae. The winter solstice is on the 22nd which sees the end of autumn and the beginning of winter.
Other interesting naked eye phenomena to look out for include the Zodiacal Light and the Gegenschein. Both are caused by sunlight reflecting off dust particles which are present in the solar system. The Zodiacal Light can be seen in the West after evening twilight has disappeared or in the East before the morning twilight. The best time of year to see the phenomenon is late-Feb to early-April in the evening sky and September/October in the morning sky -- it's then that the ecliptic, along which the cone of the zodiacal light lies, is steepest in our skies. The Gegenschein can be seen in the area of the sky opposite the sun. To view either, you must get yourself to a very dark site to cut out the light pollution. Moonlight also hampers the view.
Finally check out www.heavens-above.com for the latest passes of the ISS and for details of Iridium Flare activity.
Clear Skies and Merry Christmas
Neill McKeown
Sky guide for December is below. Enjoy.
OBSERVING GUIDE
(Please note all times are UT and are based on an observing location of Belfast)
The Sun
At the start of the month the Sun rises at 08:20 and sets at 16:05. By the end of the month, it rises at 08:45 and sets at 16:05.
The Planets
On the evening of Christmas Eve, Mars lies less than three degrees to the North of the open cluster – M35.
Mercury is badly placed for observation this month as it is at superior conjunction on the 17th. At the start of the month, it rises less than an hour before the Sun at 07:30. By month’s end it has become an evening object, but sets less than half an hour after the Sun at 16:30.
Venus is a prominent morning object this month, rising at the start of the month at 04:00 and by month’s end it rises at 05:30. It fades from mag -4.2 at the start of the month to mag -4.1 by month’s end.
Mars is at opposition on Christmas Eve. It rises at 17:35 at the start of month and by month’s end; it rises during daylight hours. It is present in Gemini throughout the month and brightens from mag -1.3 at the start of the month to mag -1.5 by month’s end.
Jupiter is badly placed for observation this month as it is at conjunction on the 23rd. At the start of the month, it sets at 17:05, only one hour after the Sun. By month’s end, it has become a morning object, but rises less than half an hour before the Sun at 08:20.
Saturn rises at the start of the month at 23:25 and by month’s end, it rises at 21:25. It can be found in Leo and brightens from mag +0.7 at the start of the month to mag +0.6 by month’s end.
Uranus can be found in the South in Aquarius. It sets at 00:20 at the start of the month and by month’s end, it sets at 22:20. It fades from mag +5.8 to mag +5.9 by month’s end. It can be located between Phi Aquarii, a mag +4.2 star and Lambda Aquarii, a mag +3.7 star.
Neptune can found in the South in Capricornus. At the start of the month, it sets at 21:45 and by month’s end, it sets at 19:50. It fades from mag +7.9 to mag +8.0 by month’s end.
The Moon
The first last quarter moon of the month is on the 1st, the new moon is on the 9th with the first quarter moon on the 17th. The full moon this month is on the 24th. The second last quarter moon of the month is on the 31st.
On the evening of November 30th / morning of December 1st, a 53% illuminated waning gibbous moon closes in on Saturn and the pair will be three degrees apart at sunrise.
On the morning of December 5th, a 16% illuminated waning crescent moon lies close to Venus, to the South-West of the planet.
On the evening of the 14th, a 22% illuminated waxing crescent moon lies less than two degrees to the South of Neptune.
On the evening of the 16th, a 42% illuminated waxing crescent moon lies less than two degrees to the North of Uranus.
On the evening of the 21st, a 93% illuminated gibbous moon passes through the Northern part of M45 – The Pleiades. The event takes place between 21:00 and Midnight approximately.
On the evening of the 23rd/ morning of Christmas Eve, the newly full moon passes very close to Mars.
On the evening of the 27th/morning of the 28th, Saturn and a 79% illuminated waning gibbous moon lie close to each other with the moon to the West of the planet.
Meteors
The Monocerotids peak on the evening of the 9th with a ZHR of 3. There will be no lunar interference for this shower.
The Hydrids peak on the evening of the 12th with a ZHR of 2. There will be no lunar interference for this shower. The radiant in Hydra is low in the South and is only really visible in the pre-dawn hours on the morning of the 13th.
The Geminids peak during daylight hours on the 14th. The ZHR for the peak is 120, but if you do a meteor session on the nights of the 13th and 14th, you should see some lovely bright slow meteors. Lunar interference for either night should be minimal with a 15% illuminated waxing crescent moon setting at 19:30 on the evening of the 13th and a 23% illuminated waxing crescent moon setting at 20:55 on the evening of the 14th.
The Coma Berenicids peak on the evening of the 20th. The ZHR is 5, but the 89% illuminated waxing gibbous moon creates significant lunar interference, setting at 05:50 on the morning of the 21st.
There is a POSSIBLE outburst from the Lyncids on the morning of the 21st. This shower has only been observed once before and if this outburst does occur, it will prove the shower is due to an unknown long-period comet. The peak is estimated at 03:40 with a recommendation to start observing from between 01:00 and 2:00. The radiant is in Lynx and the estimated ZHR for the peak is anything between 60 and 100. This peak is estimated to last twenty minutes with the outburst itself lasting maybe an hour. Unfortunately there will probably be lunar interference for this event, if it happens as the 89% illuminated waxing gibbous moon sets at 05:50.
The Ursids peak on the evening of the 22nd. The ZHR is 10, but the 99% illuminated waxing gibbous moon creates significant lunar interference, setting at 08:50 on the morning of the 23rd.
Comets
Comet 8P/Tuttle has returned to our skies. It is predicted to peak at mag +5.7 at the end of December/beginning of January. During December it moves out of Ursa Minor and passes through Cepheus, Cassiopeia and Andromeda before ending up in Triangulum by month’s end.
Current observations estimate the comet’s brightness at mag +9.5. Between the 10th and 12th, it passes less than two degrees to the West of Gamma Cephei with a predicted brightness of mag +8.5. Then between the 20th and 22nd, with a predicted brightness of mag +7.0, it travels through Cassiopeia and on the 21st, it will be within one degree of Gamma Cassiopeiae – the middle star of the ‘W’.
The Comet then travels through Andromeda between Christmas Day and the 29th. On the 27th, it passes six degrees to the East of M31 – The Andromeda Galaxy with a predicted brightness of mag +6.3. It leaves Andromeda by passing four degrees East of Beta Andromedae on the evening of the 28th. It then moves into Triangulum and passes within a degree of M33 on the evening of the 30th. The comet ends the month in Triangulum close to its predicted peak brightness.
Comet 17P/Holmes can be located in Perseus for the month of December. Current observations estimate its brightness at mag +3.6. During the month it moves slowly away from Mirfak (Alpha Persei) and lies to the South West of the star.
Up to date information and finder charts for comets can be found at www.aerith.net and
www.skyhound.com/sh/comets.html
Deep Sky
On the deep sky front this month, M31 – the Great Andromeda Galaxy can be found in Andromeda, along with its two satellite galaxies – M32 and M110. M33 – a good spiral galaxy can be found in Triangulum. The Double Cluster – NGC 869 and NGC 884 makes for a great sight in Perseus. M42 – The Great Orion Nebula is a must see. In Taurus – M45 – The Pleiades and the Hyades are both excellent targets. Also in Taurus, M1 – The Crab Nebula – the Supernova Remnant can be located. Finally there are some excellent open clusters in Auriga, Gemini and Cancer - M35 in Gemini, M36, M37 and M38 in Auriga and M44 – The Beehive Cluster and M67 in Cancer.
For further observing information, check out www.eaas.co.uk/stargazers.html .
General Notes
Always keep an eye out for Aurorae. Check out www.stronge.org.uk/spaceweather.html for the most up-to-date information on the aurorae. The winter solstice is on the 22nd which sees the end of autumn and the beginning of winter.
Other interesting naked eye phenomena to look out for include the Zodiacal Light and the Gegenschein. Both are caused by sunlight reflecting off dust particles which are present in the solar system. The Zodiacal Light can be seen in the West after evening twilight has disappeared or in the East before the morning twilight. The best time of year to see the phenomenon is late-Feb to early-April in the evening sky and September/October in the morning sky -- it's then that the ecliptic, along which the cone of the zodiacal light lies, is steepest in our skies. The Gegenschein can be seen in the area of the sky opposite the sun. To view either, you must get yourself to a very dark site to cut out the light pollution. Moonlight also hampers the view.
Finally check out www.heavens-above.com for the latest passes of the ISS and for details of Iridium Flare activity.
Clear Skies and Merry Christmas
Neill McKeown
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- Seanie_Morris
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17 years 3 weeks ago #55346
by Seanie_Morris
Midlands Astronomy Club.
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.
Replied by Seanie_Morris on topic Re: December Sky Guide
Nice one Neill, thanks for keeping us posted!
Midlands Astronomy Club.
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.
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17 years 3 weeks ago #55360
by Frank Ryan
My Astrophotography
Shannonside Astronomy Club __________________________________________
Meade ETX-125PE, Bresser 10 x 50 Binos & Me Peepers
Replied by Frank Ryan on topic Re: December Sky Guide
Great stuff Neill.
Cheers for this.
Cheers for this.
My Astrophotography
Shannonside Astronomy Club __________________________________________
Meade ETX-125PE, Bresser 10 x 50 Binos & Me Peepers
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17 years 3 weeks ago #55372
by Seanie_Morris
Midlands Astronomy Club.
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.
Replied by Seanie_Morris on topic Re: December Sky Guide
I finished reading it, and now I am really thirsty for the Geminids! :lol:
Midlands Astronomy Club.
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.
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17 years 2 weeks ago #55732
by Neill
Replied by Neill on topic Holmes and Tuttle Rendezvous in December
Hi all,
Below is part of a table I pulled off aerith.net with some close encounters for Holmes and Tuttle this month, enjoy.
Comet 8P/Tuttle
Date Time(UT) Dist. (deg) Comet Mag. Target Type Mag. Constellation Dia. (arcmin)
Dec. 15 16h 0.74 7.7 NGC 40 Planetary Nebula 11 Cepheus 0.6
Dec. 20 11h 0.97 7.1 NGC 133 Open Cluster 9 Cassiopeia 7
Dec. 20 12h 0.79 7 NGC 146 Open Cluster 9.1 Cassiopeia 7
Dec. 21 3h 2.33 7 NGC 103 Open Cluster 9.8 Cassiopeia 5
Dec. 21 7h 0.16 6.9 NGC 225/Sailboat Cluster Open Cluster 7 Cassiopeia 12
Dec. 21 12h 0.81 6.9 NGC 189 Open Cluster 8.8 Cassiopeia 4
Dec. 21 16h 2.21 6.9 NGC 129 Open Cluster 6.5 Cassiopeia 21
Dec. 21 16h 2.64 6.9 NGC 381 Open Cluster 9 Cassiopeia 6
Dec. 22 19h 2.95 6.8 NGC 436 Open Cluster 8.8 Cassiopeia 6
Dec. 23 0h 3.31 6.7 NGC 457/Owl Cluster Open Cluster 6.4 Cassiopeia 13
Dec. 23 7h 0.53 6.7 NGC 281/Pacman Nebula Emission Nebula 7 Cassiopeia 35
Dec. 30 3h 1.24 6 NGC 499 Galaxy 12 Pisces 2
Dec. 30 5h 1.18 6 NGC 507 Galaxy 11.2 Pisces 4.3
Dec. 30 5h 1.18 6 NGC 508 Galaxy 12.8 Pisces 1.6
Dec. 30 22h 0.39 5.9 M33 Galaxy 5.7 Triangulum 62
Comet Holmes
Date Time(UT) Dist. (deg) Comet Mag. Target Type Mag. Constellation Dia. (arcmin)
Dec. 5 2h 1.62 3.8 NGC 1245 Open Cluster 8.4 Perseus 10
Dec. 16 10h 0.56 4.3 NGC 1169 Galaxy 11.7 Perseus 4.4
Dec. 26 19h 0.52 4.7 NGC 1161 Galaxy 12.1 Perseus 2.8
Neill
Below is part of a table I pulled off aerith.net with some close encounters for Holmes and Tuttle this month, enjoy.
Comet 8P/Tuttle
Date Time(UT) Dist. (deg) Comet Mag. Target Type Mag. Constellation Dia. (arcmin)
Dec. 15 16h 0.74 7.7 NGC 40 Planetary Nebula 11 Cepheus 0.6
Dec. 20 11h 0.97 7.1 NGC 133 Open Cluster 9 Cassiopeia 7
Dec. 20 12h 0.79 7 NGC 146 Open Cluster 9.1 Cassiopeia 7
Dec. 21 3h 2.33 7 NGC 103 Open Cluster 9.8 Cassiopeia 5
Dec. 21 7h 0.16 6.9 NGC 225/Sailboat Cluster Open Cluster 7 Cassiopeia 12
Dec. 21 12h 0.81 6.9 NGC 189 Open Cluster 8.8 Cassiopeia 4
Dec. 21 16h 2.21 6.9 NGC 129 Open Cluster 6.5 Cassiopeia 21
Dec. 21 16h 2.64 6.9 NGC 381 Open Cluster 9 Cassiopeia 6
Dec. 22 19h 2.95 6.8 NGC 436 Open Cluster 8.8 Cassiopeia 6
Dec. 23 0h 3.31 6.7 NGC 457/Owl Cluster Open Cluster 6.4 Cassiopeia 13
Dec. 23 7h 0.53 6.7 NGC 281/Pacman Nebula Emission Nebula 7 Cassiopeia 35
Dec. 30 3h 1.24 6 NGC 499 Galaxy 12 Pisces 2
Dec. 30 5h 1.18 6 NGC 507 Galaxy 11.2 Pisces 4.3
Dec. 30 5h 1.18 6 NGC 508 Galaxy 12.8 Pisces 1.6
Dec. 30 22h 0.39 5.9 M33 Galaxy 5.7 Triangulum 62
Comet Holmes
Date Time(UT) Dist. (deg) Comet Mag. Target Type Mag. Constellation Dia. (arcmin)
Dec. 5 2h 1.62 3.8 NGC 1245 Open Cluster 8.4 Perseus 10
Dec. 16 10h 0.56 4.3 NGC 1169 Galaxy 11.7 Perseus 4.4
Dec. 26 19h 0.52 4.7 NGC 1161 Galaxy 12.1 Perseus 2.8
Neill
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