December’s night sky promises a series of captivating astronomical events, kicking off with a striking supermoon on the 4th. These readily observable occurrences-from meteor showers to planetary alignments-offer a compelling possibility to connect with the natural world and appreciate the ongoing celestial dance above us. The following report,compiled from data provided by starwalk Space and NASA,details the key events expected throughout the month.
Atlanta – December will bring a spectacular celestial event: a supermoon. This phenomenon, occurring when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its orbit, offers a visually striking reminder of the dynamic relationship between our planet and its natural satellite. Understanding these astronomical events can foster a greater appreciation for the universe and our place within it.
A supermoon happens when the full moon aligns with the point in its elliptical orbit closest to Earth, known as perigee. According to NASA, the moon reaches perigee approximately every 27 days, at a distance of around 236,000 miles from Earth. In contrast, its farthest point, or apogee, is about 252,000 miles away.
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Beyond the supermoon, several other astronomical events are anticipated in the coming month.
Astronomical Events in December 2025
Table of Contents
According to Starwalk Space, here’s a look at some of the key astronomical occurrences expected in December 2025:
1. Supermoon: December 4
The Full Cold Moon will occur on December 4, 2025, at 11:14 PM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). At this time, the moon will be located within the constellation Taurus.
While a full moon technically lasts only for a moment – when it’s directly opposite the sun relative to Earth – it appears fully illuminated for a day or two surrounding this precise time.
The supermoon on December 4, 2025, will appear approximately 7.9% larger and 15% brighter than a typical full moon.
2. Best Time to View Mercury: December 7
Mercury will reach its greatest western elongation. Elongation, as defined by the Indonesian dictionary *Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia* (KBBI), is the angle between two celestial bodies relative to a specific reference point, such as the angle between the moon and the sun as seen from Earth.
On December 7, Mercury will appear at its farthest visible distance west of the sun, separated by an angle of 20°42′.
This event, known as greatest elongation, provides the optimal viewing opportunity for observing Mercury.
3. Moon Near Jupiter: December 7
On December 7, a 89% illuminated moon will appear close to Jupiter in the night sky. Observers can view both planets with the naked eye or through binoculars in the constellation Gemini.
4. Peak of the Geminid Meteor Shower: December 13-14
The peak of the Geminid meteor shower will be visible from anywhere in the world.
The Geminids are considered one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, known for their bright, abundant, intensely colored, and relatively slow-moving meteors.
Observing conditions for the 2025 Geminid meteor shower are expected to be favorable, as the moon will be in a waning crescent phase. North of the equator, the Geminid radiant will rise around sunset, allowing for observations to begin in the evening. In the Southern Hemisphere, the radiant will appear in the sky around midnight, peaking around 2:00 AM local time.
5. New Moon: December 20
The New Moon will occur on December 20 at 1:43 AM GMT. At this point, our natural satellite will be positioned between Earth and the sun, with its illuminated side facing away from Earth.
This phase is ideal for stargazing, as the lack of moonlight will minimize light pollution.
6. Winter Solstice: December 21
The December solstice marks the first day of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. In 2025, the solstice will occur on December 21 at 3:03 PM GMT.
This will be the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere. Conversely, the Southern Hemisphere will experience the most daylight and the longest day of the year.
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