See The ‘Star Of Bethlehem,’ ‘Christmas Moon’ And ‘Santa’s Sleigh’ With Naked Eyes: The Night Sky This Christmas

The full moon is seen through Christmas lights shaped like a star over Panama City, late on Ready for some festive stargazing? With a bevy of bright planets, a meteor shower and the sparkling stars of the winter night sky north of the equator, the night sky this holiday season should keep you glued to the night skies. Here’s what to see in the night sky this Christmas: Was a bright planet the origin of the story of the “Christmas Star?” There are two to choose from this December. Although Venus is visible before dawn, it’s Jupiter after sunset that makes the best argument.

High in the southeast and very bright, it’s recently been at its annual which puts it close to its brightest and biggest. It’s the best time of year to see Jupiter with the naked eye, binoculars or a small telescope. Find Jupiter on Thursday, December 21 and Friday, December 22 to see a waxing gibbous moon on either side of the giant planet.

The first day of winter and shortest day of the year—in the northern hemisphere—solstice is an important day for our planet and the astronomical reason for festivities in December. However, the point where the sun is above the Tropic of Capricorn at noon—the farthest south it appears to shine as the southern hemisphere is at maximum tilt to the sun—is nevertheless not a visual spectacle. So go outside at are on Thursday, December 21, watch the solstice sunset and toast the fact that Earth rotates on an axis tilted by 23.

5º—the reason for the seasons. Sunset at Stonehenge, Wiltshire in the U. K.

No sooner is solstice past than the peak of the Ursid meteor shower arrives. Only about 10 “shooting stars” per hour are expected after dark on Friday, December 22 this year, but it’s an excellent opportunity to go stargazing and, if you’re lucky, see a meteor streak across the night sky. Caused by dust and debris left in the inner Solar System by Comet 8P/Tuttle, the Ursids will appear to shoot from the constellation Ursa Minor due north.

Tonight sees the rise of the “Cold Moon,” which this year earns the name “Christmas Moon” because it rises on Boxing Day. Look east on Tuesday, December 26 at the time of . The full moon rising each month is one of nature’s most beautiful sights and, if skies are clear, it’s an experience not to miss.

The “Cold Moon” will be the 13th and final full moon of 2023. Visit NASA’s website or and you may be able to see Santa’s sleigh speeding across the night sky from where you are. It will be masquerading, of course, as the International Space Station and will appear as a constant bright, white light that will cross the night sky from west to east for about five minutes.

Its light comes from sunlight reflected off the huge solar panels on the ISS. Everyone knows the constellation of Orion because its string of three stars is so easy to find. Look east after dark and you’ll see the “Three Wise Men”—Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka—above the horizon in a slanted line.

Look on either side to see two other famous bright stars in Orion, red Betelgeuse and blue Rigel. .