Each month, GuelphToday will share a Star Gazing Guide presented and organized by The Great Orbax, a science communicator from the University of Guelph's Department of Physics and local science education advocate.
Greetings star gazers!
Orbax here.
I'm a science communicator from the department of physics at the University of Guelph and I'm here to fill you in on what our December night skies hold for the astro-curious out there, young and old.
December packs a lot of punch this year and with any luck the clouds will cooperate such that we can enjoy the sky this season. In this month's video we discuss constellations, planets and even the meaning of ther winter solstice but I wanted to bring two gorgeous phenomena to your attention.
The Geminids meteor shower is often described as the most dazzling meteor shower of the year and the rivals the Perseids in August. Earth travels through the debris left behind by asteroid Phaethon 3200 annually between Nov. 19 and Dec. 24. This debris burns up in our atmosphere producing shooting stars peaking on the night of Dec. 13 and the morning of Dec. 14. On this night up to 120 multicoloured meteors can be seen per hour emanating from the constellation Gemini but are also visible anywhere in the sky. This year we get lucky as the new moon occurs on Dec. 12 meaning that the sky will be almost completely dark. Your highest numbers will be visibile after midnight but due to the dark sky you may get lucky and spot some in the early evening.
This month's full moon occurs on the evening of Dec. 26. The moon closest to the winter solstice is known as the Cold Moon and has the highest arc across the night sky of all the full moons of the year. Not only will the moon be full and visible in our sky all night long but it will also appear to be almost completely full and in the sky all night for several days before and after Dec. 26. If you happen to be celebrating anything over those days you'll have a beautiful sky under which to do it.
I hope you enjoy this month's Star Gazing Guide. If you want to learn more check out the December Star Gazing Guide video on the Guelph physics YouTube channel. Not only is Star Gazing a great way to learn about space, planets and the the stars but it's also a great way to spend time with other curious minds.
Until next month I wish you clear skies and I hope you take some time ... to look up.
