The Night Sky for the Week of 12-22-24

From December 22 to 28, 2024, stargazers will enjoy captivating sights. The First Quarter Moon will grow into a Waxing Gibbous. Jupiter will shine brightly in Taurus, while Saturn sets after midnight in Aquarius. The Ursids meteor shower peaks around December 22-23, offering 5-10 meteors per hour. The Christmas story is told in the night sky on December 24. Winter constellations like Orion, Taurus, and Gemini dominate the sky, with Orion’s belt easily visible. Telescopes or binoculars can reveal the Orion Nebula (M42) and the Pleiades star cluster in Taurus. Merry Christmas! https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/