Three planets and a rare comet highlight the December 2021 night sky
NASA provides a guide to the celestial events of December 2021, including planetary visibility, a newly discovered comet, and the annual Geminid meteor shower. This summary helps you plan your stargazing for the final month of the year.
December 2021 offers a clear view of three planets visible shortly after sunset, though Venus will cease to be visible as the 'Evening Star' by the end of the month. Observers are encouraged to search for Comet Leonard, which was recently discovered, during the early morning hours through the middle of the month.
Additionally, the Geminid meteor shower reaches a peak viewing window on December 14. For the best experience, observers should look for meteors after the local moonset, which occurs around 2 a.m.
