Realm of Darkness
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Published: 27th November 2022
With December rapidly approaching. The battle of darkness verses light will continue
With the Christmas lights, maybe, causing some problems for those looking to view the night sky
However December does bring us the gift of different objects to view this month
Thursday, 1st December
Mars at Perigee
December starts with Mars being at perigee
This means that Mars will be at its closest point to Earth, and thus provides a good opportunity to view Mars
Mars will start to become visible, about 45 minutes to an hour after sunset. And will reach its highest point at around midnight. Before disappearing shortly before the sun rises
This data sheet will provide some guidance to find, as well as other related data, in your location[data sheet link]
The Moon will be in its first quarter phase, so shouldn’t cause too many problems if trying to view
If viewing, then you will need at least a pair of binoculars to view as more than a speck of light. And a telescope will help in making Mars appear clearer
Asteroid 349 Dembowska at Opposition
For those with more experience and the appropriate equipment, aka a telescope with at least 100mm lens
The start of December provides an increased chance to view, as Asteroid 349 Dembowska moves into opposition. Meaning that Earth sits between the Sun and the asteroid, hopefully making viewing a bit easier
If you want to attempt to view, then it should generally become visible a couple of hours after sunset. In a north-easterly to an easterly direction
More details to help you find in your location can be found here
Before it will no longer be visible, in the early hours of the morning a north westerly to westerly direction
Tuesday, 6th December
φ (Phi) Cassiopeids Reaches Peak
Tuesday the 6th of December means that meteor Phi Cassiopeids reaches its peak
Although it is visible from December 1st til December 8th
Phi Cassiopeids ZHR (Zenith Hourly Rate) is variable, and thus the number of meteors visible will vary depending on a number of conditions
It reaches its peak, a few days away from our enemy, the Full Moon. So this will unfortunately decrease your ability to view
The Phi Cassiopeids can be located in Andromeda, below the Cassiopeia constellation
Thursday, 8th December
Full Moon
Thursday the 8th of December means that our enemy, will try and light up the night time heavens, before the year ends
Also known, by some, as the Cold Moon. Perhaps related to the cold temperatures that you may feel in the north half of our planet
However, we can still attempt to photograph the night skies. As well as viewing or photographing, to inform yourself about our enemy, for the coming battle of darkness
Wednesday, 14th December
Geminids Meteor Shower Reaches Peak
Wednesday the 14th means that one of the biggest meteor showers occurs, with the Geminids meteor shower reaching its peak
Though the Geminids is active from the 4th until the 17th of December
It has a high ZHR (Zenith Hourly Rate) of 120, meaning that in ideal conditions, you may be able to view a couple of meteors a minute
It should be visible in a north easterly direction, and set in a north western direction
This datasheet should help you find a good viewing time in your location
Thursday, 15th December
NGC 1981 Well Placed
Thursday the 15th of December, provides a good chance to view the NGC 1981, open star cluster
NGC 1981 starts to become visible at around eight in the evenings, in an easterly to south easterly direction
Reaching its highest point at around midnight
Before disappearing in the early mornings
To view NGC 1981 with any clarity will require either a pair of binoculars or a telescope
This data sheet may help you, with viewing in your location
Wednesday, 21st December
Winter Solstice
Wednesday the 21st of November, means a victory for my Lords and Ladies of Darkness
As we succeed, if only temporarily, in our battle against the light
For those in the north of our planet, as the north pole is tilted furthest from the Sun. The shortest day occurs, and thus we have the longest night
All Hail the Darkness
Friday, 23rd December
New Moon
We can consider Friday the 23rd an early Christmas gift, as the New Moon occurs on a Friday night
Hopefully allowing you to stay up later, and view the night time heavens in all its glory. Without the Moon, trying to outshine everything
The Winter Solstice will also have occurred a few nights before, so the nights will still be at the longer length
Saturday, 24th December
Christmas
If you have children, then tonight may be a good opportunity to get them viewing the night time heavens. In the hope of spotting someone flying through the night sky
The nights will be reasonably clear of unwanted light, with the new Moon having occurred the previous night
Providing an extra present, for the astronomers and astrophotographers
Wednesday, 28th December
NGC 2232 Good Visibility
Wednesday the 26th provides a good opportunity to view the NGC 2232, open star cluster
Reaching its best position at around midnight
Rising in an easterly to south easterly direction, at around eight o’clock in the evening
This data sheet will provide information for locating in your location
Viewing or photographing will require a pair of binoculars or a telescope
Finally setting in a westerly to south westerly direction in the early morning
Thursday, 29th December
NGC 2244 Good Visibility
As the month and the year nears its end. Thursday the 29th of December provides an opportunity to view the NGC 2244
Located in the Rosette Nebula, becoming visible at around 20:00 in an easterly direction
Reaching its highest point at around midnight
And finally setting at around 4:30 in the mornings
This data sheet may help you in finding in your location
And a pair of binoculars or a telescope will help in your viewing
Saturday, 31st December
New Year
As 2022 comes to an end, the Moon will be in its waxing phase, just after its first quarter, So while causing some problems, shouldn’t cause too many problems
However, there may be a number of fireworks being launched to celebrate, which may cause problems for those wanting to view the night sky
Associated Videos
Darkest Hour, Brightest Night also produce short videos, which are published several days
The Realm of Darkness videos can be found in the video section of our website
Or our YouTube channel
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Written by: Ben Patmore
Ben Patmore is an amateur astrophotographer
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