December 2022 sky guide: 4 can’t-miss celestial events

sky guide Holiday gifts from the universe. by Jennifer Walter Dec. 1, 2022 Haitong Yu/Moment/Getty Images

The New Year is quickly approaching. But before we get to 2023, the universe will give us a few more notable celestial events to watch during December. Shutterstock

Shutterstock If you missed the Leonids last month, you’ll have a chance to see two more meteor showers peak before the end of the year.

Plus, the December solstice is just around the corner.

And Mars is due soon for a relatively close approach to Earth. Shutterstock

Haitong Yu/Moment/Getty Images Here are 4 celestial events you don’t want to miss in December:

4. Mars at opposition On Dec. 8 , Earth will be sandwiched directly between the Sun and Mars as the Red Planet passes into opposition, promising a stunning view. -/AFP/Getty Images

This is what the planets look like during opposition. Blue is Earth’s orbit, and red is Mars’.

This year, it will be 38.6 million miles away from Earth, and appear larger in the sky than normal.

-/AFP/Getty Images Mars’ last opposition was in 2020 .

3. Geminid meteor shower This spectacular annual show peaks this year on the evening of Dec. 13 into Dec. 14. NASA/MSFC/Danielle Moser, NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office

At their peak, they can produce around 120 meteors per hour.

NASA/MSFC/Danielle Moser, NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office The Geminids are one of the biggest meteor showers of the year.

2. December solstice Dec. 21 marks a turning point in the seasons, with the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Shutterstock

This means you’ll experience your shortest or longest day of the year, depending on where you live.

Shutterstock On this day, Earth’s North Pole will be at its furthest point from the Sun.

1. Ursid meteor shower On Dec. 21 , the same night as the solstice, look out for the peak of this minor shower if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. Shutterstock

Roughly 5-10 Ursids are visible every hour, with occasional bursts of more than 25 meteors per hour.

Shutterstock With the Moon at three percent fullness, the sky should be dark enough to spot a shooting star.