Skywatch December

4th:  Full moon near Hyades and Pleiades

The 4th December sees the full moon shining above the stars of Taurus and beneath the stars of Perseus, highlighting the V-shaped Hyades star group and the Pleiades open star cluster.  This placement traditionally signified a time for blessings of the fields, the land, the people and the animals, with grain stored safely for winter.  A thanksgiving was made to the spirits of the land and to the cats who help guard the grain from vermin.  

The outline made by the stars of Perseus, part of Auriga, and Cassiopeia traces the shape of Sarva the Elk.  Orion the Wintermaker clears the horizon by 9pm, followed about an hour later by Sirius.  Jupiter shines brightly below the stars Castor and Pollux.  The stars of Monoceros the Unicorn take centre stage next to Orion above the eastern horizon.

7th: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter 

The waning gibbous moon shines next to bright planet Jupiter below Castor and Pollux; best viewed around 10pm.

9th: Monocerotids (meteor shower) peak

This meteor shower is best viewed after 1am when the radiant is at its highest point in the sky.  Look for them to the east of Orion below the feet of Gemini the Twins.  Monoceros is the Unicorn, blessing us with a season of magic and enchantment.  

14th: Geminids (meteor shower) peak

The Geminids reach peak activity 13th- 14th December with the best chance of viewing before dawn on 14th.

20th: New moon near galactic centre

Today, the sun and moon are joined by the planets Mars and Venus near the light of the galactic centre, marking a very special transition and a time of great hope, renewal and wonderment.  The December Leonis Minorids meteor shower also reaches  peak activity at this time.

21st: December solstice

Aiya! Happy solstice everyone!  Much love and happiness to reach the hearts of all.

22nd: Ursid (meteor shower) peak

These meteors are best viewed shortly before dawn, looking up toward the constellation Ursa Minor, withing the coils of Draco the Dragon.  

31st: Sirius reaches opposition

The eve of the new year coincides with the opposition and midnight culmination of Sirius.  

The waxing gibbous moon may be viewed near the Pleiades star cluster tonight.  The Pleiades:  the 'stars that cling together' reminding us that we're one human family on a shared cosmic journey.  Love, light and peace to each and everyone...