The night sky’s definitely pulling out all the stops this month, ending 2022 on a high note. For one thing, as reported by Travel + Leisure, Mars is going to be the brightest it’ll be until several years from now (January 2025). So get out your binoculars or invest in a telescope to capture this beloved red planet. And as if that wasn’t enough to make you dewy eyed, there will be a cavalcade of meteor showers with the Geminid meteors, known for being bright white and superfast (actually, wouldn’t slower meteors be preferable since so often you glance over too late? At any rate: it’s gonna be great!)
Here’s all the information you need to watch the sky and get the most out of it.
When’s the best possible day to see Mars?
Dec. 8 around 1 a.m. EST (or 10 p.m. PST)
...and why is that the best possible day?
Because Mars will reach opposition, which sounds like a big fight but just means it lies opposite to the sun and is the brightest it can get.
Can’t I see Mars with the naked eye?
Sure, but to see details of the planet’s surface, a telescope is necessary.
Moving on to these meteors. When’s the best day to see them?
Try around 2am. EST (11pm PST) between Dec. 13 and 14. Despite the waning gibbous moon (which is still pretty big), there’s still a chance to see some of the more showy shooting stars.
Are the Geminids the only December meteors?
No. From Dec. 22-23, the Ursids will be at their peak, which is nice because that’ll help mark the Dec. 21 solstice.
Are those Ursids going to put on a great show?
Well, not really. There should only be about five per hour. However, these will show up during the new moon which should make them more visible.
How can I increase my chances of seeing either meteor shower?
Avoid city lights and get to a place where you can see a lot of the sky at once.
Anything else kind of cosmic in the sky this month?
Yep. Venus and Mercury will be hanging out together. Try just after sunset on Dec. 28, says T+L, when the brighter Venus will be only 1.5 degrees away from buddy Mercury on the southwest horizon. And Saturn will be the third wheel just above them.