December 2019

Phases of the Moon

Annual Solar Eclipse

On December 26, around 05 UT, there will be the annular solar eclipse. The Moon will be so close to our Earth that it will not cover the whole disk of the Sun, Therefore, a ring of the photosphere will be seen around the Moon. This means that the outer "atmosphere" of the Sun, i.e., the corona, will be not observable because of the strong light from the photosphere. The eclipse will be visible only in a narrow strip that crosses eastern Saudi Arabia, southern India and south-eastern Asia. Please, check for local circumstances.

Venus

The planet is better and better visible on evening, higher and higher over the south-western horizon. Its elongation from the sun increases, so that the planet sets down more than one hour after the Sun. Its brightness remains about (-4.0) mag, which is very high indeed. It is a very easy object for the naked eye.

Geminid Meteor Shower

On December 14 evening, there will be the maximum of the Geminid meteor shower, which is currently the most active meteor shower on the northern sky. However, the Moon will be only 2 days after the Full Moon, so that the sky will be very bright and only the brightest meteors will be observable.