Ice monster lighthouse

"The lighthouse is starting to look like an ice monster," said Joshua Nowicki. He took this shot on December 15 on the north pier in Saint Joseph, Michigan.

Zodiacal light over Momotombo Volcano

This photographer captured a volcano from a volcano, plus he caught the hazy pyramid of light known as the "false dawn," and more.

Long Night Moon

The December full moon over the bitterly cold landscape of eastern Washington.

Deep winter

Snow-covered pine trees in Norway's Skibotn Valley, by Gibfoto.

Glorious Horsehead Nebula

This dark cloud is located inside a larger star-forming region … a place where new stars are being born. Tips from the astrophotographer on how you can capture it.

Moontrail over Beijing’s Forbidden City

Jeff Dai created this moontrail photo by keeping his camera still, rather than tracking along with the stars. He said it was about a 3-hour exposure.

Bright early Geminid meteor

The 2016 Geminid meteor shower peaks on the night of a full moon. Eliot Herman caught this early Geminid, emerging from its radiant point into a moonless sky.

Sun halo and sun dogs

Rima Biswas in Baltimore, Maryland, captured the December sun with two sun dogs and a luminous halo.

Moon halo and 2 planets

Stefan Nilsson in Sweden caught this image of the moon and planets Mars and Venus. The circle around the moon is a 22-degree halo, caused by ice crystals in the upper air.

Wodonga sunset

Michael Coonan captured this image outside his back door in Wodonga, Australia on December 4, 2016.