Don’t miss these astrophotography opportunities in December 2024

Every month brings some unique astronomical events which can be seen with the naked eye and can be photographed. In this article, let us take a look at the astrophotography opportunities in December 2024.

December 7: Jupiter at opposition

The “King of the Planets”, Jupiter, will reach its closest approach to Earth on 7^th December. While this will not make it look larger with the naked eye, it will be brighter than any other night. However, if you are to use a telescope to photograph it, this should be the perfect time. With a telephoto lens, you can also photograph the giant planet along with some of its moons. Jupiter will be present throughout the night.

December 13-14: Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower is also known as the king of meteor showers due to the number of meteors it produces during its peak. Ideally, under perfect conditions, on the night of 13^th December, Geminids will produce up to 120 meteors per hour. However, practically, you might see 30-40 meteors per hour from a dark location. It is produced by debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which was discovered in 1982. The radiant point of this meteor shower lies in the constellation of Gemini; however, meteors can be seen all around the sky. The bright moon, unfortunately, will interfere with the visibility of the meteors. With a wide-angle lens or even with a multi-camera set-up, you can photograph the meteor shower.

December 15: Full Moon

December’s full moon, known as the Cold Moon, will rise in the night sky on 15^th December. Full moons are always a great opportunity to photograph it with a telephoto lens. It will also allow you to capture the moonrise in the evening and moonset in the early morning.

December 21-22: Ursid meteor shower

Ursids is a minor meteor shower with its radiant point at Ursa Minor. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tuttle, first discovered in 1790. On the night of 21^st December, during its peak, it can produce up to 5-10 meteors per hour. It may not be as dazzling as the Geminids of the previous week, but it will be special nonetheless.

December 25: Mercury at greatest western elongation

On 25^th December, the closest planet to the Sun, Mercury, will reach its greatest western elongation. It will reach a 22-degree distance from the sun. Although it remains low on the eastern horizon before sunrise, this will be the best opportunity to catch a glimpse of this planet and to photograph it with a wide-angle or a telephoto lens. On this day, you can find it right beside the bright star Antares.

Other opportunities throughout the month

Along with the celestial events mentioned above, the sky will present more opportunities to catch a few more objects. And some will be better than before.

Venus shines bright in the evening sky

Venus continues to shine at -4 magnitude and is difficult to miss in the western sky after sunset. It will also come close to the moon on 4-5 December. This bright planet is visible from light-polluted skies, and you can photograph it with a wide-field or mid-telephoto lens with landscape elements.

Milky Way season never ends

The days of the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way are over for this season. However, the Cygnus arm and the Orion arm will give you ample opportunity to capture the band of the Milky Way. The Cygnus arm can be seen right after sunset in the Northeastern sky, and it sets at midnight. During its setting, many deepscape opportunities can be utilized, including Andromeda galaxy, Triangulam galaxy, North America nebula, etc. The Orion arm, along with many significant constellations, including Orion, Gemini, Auriga, and Canis Major, will be present throughout the winter nights.

Galore of planets

All the bright planets, including Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, can be easily spotted in the night sky throughout the month. With long exposures or with a telescope, you can also spot Neptune and Uranus in the sky.

Hope you have a great month with lots of astrophotography opportunities ahead.

Clear skies!

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