Zero Genie

By India Today Web Desk: The year is coming to an end with a number of astronomical events lined up. Astrophilias can experience a sky-watching experience that includes events like the full moon, a Geminids meteor shower, mercury in the sky, Urshid meteor showers, and a new moon. December will bring a chance to check out Mars at its closest in two years. Also lined up is the December full moon, also called the Cold Moon.

Have a look at the various celestial events occurring in the last month of the year.

List of astronomical events this December 2022:

1. DECEMBER 8, 2022: FULL MOON OR COLD MOON

When winter enters in the month of December, it is also known as the Cold Moon. The moon shines bright in the night sky. The names are related to the ancient full moon names, which are related to low temperatures and the darkness of the month of December. The sunlight will fall for the last time this year, referred to as Long Nights Moon, since the cold wave enters during this time.

2. DECEMBER 13-14, 2022: GEMINIDS METEOR SHOWER

The special gift to the sky gazers is to watch the Geminids Meteor shower that will be at its peak from December 13 to December 14, 2022. The peak activity with the best weather conditions, the Gemenids, produce 100-150 meteors per hour. Usually, the Geminids are bright up in the sky.

The term Geminid refers to the meteors appearing to emit from the constellation Gemini.

3. DECEMBER 21, 2022: MERCURY IN THE SKY

The last of the year has four planets visible in the evening sky. The planet Venus will be visible low in the southwest, Saturn and Jupiter high up in the south-southwest, and Mars low in the east-northeast. In the sky, Mercury will be 20 degrees from the sun, which looks wonderful like a tiny planet at the highest point above the horizon. It will be low in the sky before sunset to find it.

4. DECEMBER 22-23, 2022: URSID METEOR SHOWERS

The meteor shower will be at its peak on December 22-23, 2022. The name Ursid is derived from the radiant point that is located near the Beta Ursae Minoris(Kochab) in the constellation Ursa Minor. Ursid is caused by the debris of ice and dust left by comet 8P/Tuttle as it passes through the solar system on its journey around the sun every 13.5 years.

5. DECEMBER 23, 2022: NEW MOON

The sky-gazing event comes to an end this year with the Moon disappearing into the night sky. It will occur at 3:47 pm as per the Indian Standard Time(IST). This won’t be that prominent in India.