Visible planets and night sky guide. A crescent moon and Venus shine in the western sky after sunset. Today, see EarthSky's video preview of the December sky.
Sun news for December 2, 2024: With Solar Dynamics Observatory data unavailable until 2025, the GONG network is providing our view of the currently quiet sun.
Scientists have analyzed dark ovals that appear near the poles on Jupiter. They believe magnetic tornadoes higher in the atmosphere could stir up the haze.
The December birthstone is 1 of 3 gemstones, the exquisite blue-green turquoise, dazzling zircon, or the magnificent blue-violet tanzanite. Your choice!
Look for Venus after sunset! It's high enough in December's sky for all to see. It'll be farthest from the sunset in early January, 2025. Look west for a dazzling point!
Mars is getting bright! And it has shifted into the evening sky. By the end of 2024, it'll become much more noticeable. It'll reach opposition in January 2025.
Observers in Puerto Rico reported hearing low-frequency sounds as the SpaceX Starship rocket flew past on November 19, 2024. Were they electrophonic sounds?
Giant Jupiter is closest to Earth for 2024 on December 6. Then Earth will fly between the sun and Jupiter - bringing Jupiter to opposition - on December 7.