You don’t require a telescope to appreciate the marvels of our cosmic vicinity.

Planets such as Jupiter and Venus gleam brilliantly in the nocturnal sky, reflecting sunlight without the sparkling effect characteristic of stars. These celestial lights are among the brightest objects in view, and December 2024 presents a remarkable chance to observe them—assuming the clouds are kind.

“This month, Venus shines as the ‘Evening Star,’ Jupiter attains its maximum brightness for the year, and the Geminid meteor shower peaks in the challenging moonlit conditions,” shared NASA.

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### **How to Locate Venus**

Venus ranks as the third-brightest entity in the night sky, trailing only the Sun and the Moon. Recognized as Earth’s nearest planetary companion, this “hellish planet” is constantly shrouded in dense, 12-mile-high clouds that reflect an extensive amount of sunlight, rendering it unmistakable.

“Venus is easy to spot in the southwest after twilight—it’s that brilliant bright ‘Evening Star,’” provided NASA.

Although comparable in size to Earth, Venus is significantly different. Its surface temperature soars to a blistering 870 degrees Fahrenheit (465 degrees Celsius) owing to a severe greenhouse effect, and its atmospheric pressure is an overwhelming 90 times that of Earth.

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### **How to Locate Jupiter**

Jupiter, the colossal gas giant that possesses more than twice the mass of all other planets in the solar system combined, will also be a splendid sight in December. It reaches its utmost brightness for the year and can be seen all night long.

“You’ll notice it rising in the east-northeast as night falls, set against the stars of the constellation Taurus,” noted NASA.

Jupiter is home to an astonishing 95 known moons, including Europa, an intriguing icy realm with a concealed ocean beneath its surface. With binoculars or a telescope, you might frequently glimpse Jupiter’s four largest moons.

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### **How to Locate Mars**

Mars, while not as reflective as Venus or Jupiter, will still provide a spectacle this December. As the red planet approaches Earth, it will increase in brightness throughout the month.

“Early in the month, it rises about four hours after dark, but come New Year’s Eve, it’s rising approximately 90 minutes after sunset—always glowing with its distinctive reddish tint,” NASA explained. On December 17, Mars will appear particularly close to the Moon, just two days following the Moon’s full phase.

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### **Additional Skywatching Highlights**

– **The Winter Triangle:** Search for the bright stars Sirius (the most brilliant nighttime star), Procyon, and Betelgeuse (a red supergiant) creating a prominent equilateral triangle in the winter sky. Betelgeuse indicates the red shoulder of the Orion constellation.

– **Geminid Meteor Shower:** This yearly meteor shower peaks in the early hours of December 14. Although the full moon will obscure many shooting stars, the Geminids are recognized for their bright meteors, and you might spot them up to a week prior to the peak.

– **Winter Solstice:** December 21 signifies the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, officially signaling the arrival of winter.

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Whether you’re admiring Venus, marveling at Jupiter’s moons, or catching a glimpse of Mars’ reddish glow, December 2024 assures a celestial display for stargazers of every experience level.