As the year 2025 draws to a close, December’s night sky offers a promising yet dazzling cosmic trio surprise for sky watchers and astronomers.
Sky watchers can experience the celestial spectacle in the form of a rare visit from an interstellar comet, the phenomenal Jupiter-Moon combination and a spectacular display of the best geminid meteor shower of the year.
Moon-Jupiter link: December 7
On December 7, sky watchers can witness a rare conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter. During this celestial event, two celestial bodies appear close in the sky.
The combination will be, from Earth’s point of view, only a few degrees apart, so it can be easily seen with the naked eye or binoculars.
The event is best viewed at dusk and will continue until midnight on December 7. Look at the eastern sky as the sun sets. You can see the moon in the shape of a waxing crescent and just above and to the right of the crescent is bright Jupiter.
Geminids meteor shower: December 13-14
This year’s Geminids meteor shower will peak on the nights of December 13 and 14. The shower consists of bright and colorful debris that follows the asteroid 3200 Phaethon.
In the darkest skies you can see up to 120 Geminid meteors per hour. These meteors will also appear near the bright planet Jupiter.
Mysterious 3I/ATLAS closest approach to Earth: December 19
The discovery of the third mysterious object 3I/ATLAS is considered one of the most intriguing events that took place in the year 2025. But on December 19, 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to Earth.
The interstellar object’s intriguing proximity to Earth will give scientists the opportunity to observe its true nature and origins by deploying a fleet of spacecraft and ground-based telescopes.
Since its discovery on July 1, 3I/ATLAS has baffled scientists around the world. According to photos released by NASA, the interstellar object is a comet and not an alien object.
On the other hand, Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb calls the object “an alien probe,” based on the anomalies demonstrated by 3I/ATLAS.
Even at its closest point, 3I/ATLAS will be 170 million miles from Earth.
How can I see 3I/ATLAS?
It is best viewed in the early hours before sunrise, especially in the east-northeast, low on the horizon, just below Regulus. In addition, a telescope with an aperture of at least 30 cm is necessary due to the distance to the object.
