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The Moon shines close to Jupiter over L'Aquila, Italy in October 2023. | Photo: Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Celestron NexStar 8SE
Celestron NexStar 8SE
Celestron NexStar 8SE – an excellent choice for a detailed study of the Moon and planets of the solar system. For a more detailed view, you can view our Celestron NexStar 8SE review too much.
Don't miss the glow of Jupiter next to the waning moon among the stars of the constellation Gemini on the night of December 7th.
83% illuminated moon will rise approximately three hours after sunset on the night of December 7. Jupiter shines less than five degrees in the upper right corner—about the width of three middle fingers held at arm's length against the sky.
Jupiter and the Moon will reach their highest point in the early morning of December 8th, when they will appear almost overhead in the southern sky with bright stars. Castor And Pollux – which represent the heads of twins in Gemini constellation — sparkles over the couple.
Both solar system objects will be spectacular to the naked eye on the night of December 7-8, although a modest home telescope with an aperture of at least 4 inches will help reveal the complex cloud bands and storms raging in Jupiter's upper atmosphere. You may also notice four star-shaped points of light representing Galilean satellites Ganymede, Io, Europe And Callisto lined up around the colossal disk of the gas giant.
Early morning skywatchers can see Mercury at its greatest elongation | Credit & Copyright: Chris Vaughn/Starry Night
Take your telescope away from Jupiter's majestic form and point it at the Moon to see the mighty Tycho crater scarring the lunar surface—a powerful reminder of the incredible violence that wayward asteroids can inflict on the worlds of our solar system, including Earth.
Tycho Crater is not to be missed by eager sky watchers. | Photo: NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University.
Quietly assessed only 108 million yearsmaking it a baby compared to the age of some of the moon's most venerable craters, which are 3.9 billion years old.
Want to take a closer look at the menagerie of worlds orbiting around Sun? Then be sure to check out our reviews best telescopes And The binoculars will go on sale in 2025. You can also view our guide on best cameras And lenses for exploring the night sky.
Editor's note: If you would like to share your photo of the Moon and Jupiter with Space.com readers, send your photos, comments, and your name and location to [email protected].
