Newsletter Issue 142 (December 2024)

©Steffen Thorsen/timeanddate.com

December’s Extreme Full Moon

On December 15, 2024, skywatchers have a chance to see the most northerly moonrise and moonset at Full Moon until December 2043.

It’s the result of an 18.6-year pattern that produces extreme Moon rise and set positions during a roughly two-year period known as a “major lunar standstill.”

©iStock.com/jdwfoto

See the Geminid Shooting Stars

The Geminid Meteor Shower peaks around the night of December 13–14 or 14–15, 2024, depending on your time zone.

An almost Full Moon will make it difficult to see the fainter shooting stars this year. But look up! Jupiter and Mars are bright and beautiful at the moment.

©Steffen Thorsen/timeanddate.com

A 99.82% Full Moon

This month’s Full Moon—on December 15—will be the least illuminated in 2024.

Surprisingly, the Moon is rarely 100% illuminated at its Full Moon phase.

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