Geminid Meteor Shower and Asteroid Vesta Observation in December

December presents a spectacular opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts with the peak of the Geminid meteor shower on the night of December 13th. Additionally, this month offers a unique chance to view asteroid Vesta, particularly during its opposition. The Moon’s alignment with Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter on specific dates further enhances the celestial spectacle. Source: SciTechPost.com

Key Astronomical Events in December 2023: The Geminid meteor shower offers a breathtaking display, perfect for viewing under clear skies. Don’t forget to use binoculars to spot asteroid Vesta.

Highlights of December Skywatching:

• December 7-10: Observe the waning crescent Moon each morning for four days, rising with Venus and the bright star Spica in the east just before dawn.
• December 12: New Moon.
• December 13: Peak of Geminid meteor shower, best viewed overnight. Observers in the Northern Hemisphere can start meteor watching around 9 or 10 p.m., with activity increasing after midnight. Find a dark location and enjoy the wide view of the sky, as meteors will be visible in all directions.
• December 17: Post-sunset, spot the crescent Moon near Saturn in the southwest. Use binoculars or a telescope to glimpse Saturn’s largest moon, Titan.
• December 21: Jupiter appears near the almost full Moon in the southeast at nightfall, moving together across the sky throughout the night.
• December 26: Full Moon.
• Throughout December: Asteroid Vesta at opposition, positioned directly opposite the Earth from the Sun, making it the brightest and closest for the year. View it with binoculars or a telescope, tracking its northward movement between the constellations of Gemini and Orion. Use a skywatching app for precise positioning.

Sky Map Illustrations:

• Crescent Moon with Venus on the mornings of December 7-10.
• Crescent Moon with Saturn on the evening of December 17.
• Movement of asteroid Vesta during December.
• Location of asteroid Vesta on December 1 and 8, along a line between Betelgeuse in Orion and stars in Gemini. All images credited to NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Video Transcript Overview for December Skywatching:

• Moon’s visit to bright planets throughout the month.
• Geminid meteor shower, the most reliable of the year, with potential for a meteor per minute at its peak.
• Optimal viewing conditions for the Geminids on the night of December 13-14, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Southern Hemisphere viewers can also enjoy the Geminids, albeit with fewer meteors.
• Vesta at opposition, best viewed around 1 or 2 a.m., but visible from 10 p.m. in the eastern sky.
• NASA’s Dawn spacecraft’s past exploration of Vesta.
• Vesta’s position between Orion and Gemini constellations on specific dates.
• Upcoming NASA missions to explore other asteroids.

Moon Phases for December 2023, courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Geminid meteor shower 2023

More about Geminid meteor shower 2023

• Geminid Meteor Shower Guide
• Astronomy Events December 2023
• Observing Asteroid Vesta
• December Skywatching Tips