December astronomy guide: Hyperactive Geminids, Ursids, and the winter solstice

The countdown to 2024 is underway with advent calendars being opened across the country, but before we leave the year we have a few astronomical delights to see.

Despite a sluggish start to December in the night sky, the first key event of the month arrives December 12… or rather it doesn't. A new moon will rise, meaning that the placement of the moon renders it invisible from our vantage point.

This creates an ideal night sky for star-gazing, and we have the most active meteor shower of the year, reaching its peak alongside this moon.

Sometimes dubbed as the 'King of the Meteor Showers', the Geminids reach their peak late in the night of December 13, lasting into the early hours. Capable of producing up to 120 meteors per hour at its peak, the shower itself produces a vibrant display of unusually bright shooting stars.

Whites, yellows, even a few green, red, or blue meteors will blaze overhead. The multicolour display is thanks to the presence of various metals in the rocks.

It has previously been recorded that up to 150 meteors an hour have appeared during the peak, and with a new moon leaving the night sky free from light, this really is the perfect opportunity to wish upon a star.

If you miss out on the Geminids, just days later, the Ursid Meteor Shower reaches its peak on the night of December 22. You will need some more luck however, with a peak rate of just 5 to 10 meteors per hour plus the moon entering its waxing gibbous phase meaning only the brightest meteors will be visible.

In line with the shower on December 22, we enter the first day of astronomical winter with the December Solstice.

With the South Pole tilting towards the sun, this marks the date at which the days start growing lighter once again, and astronomical winter. While in the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the beginning of summer.

Our final event of the month, and the year, is the arrival of the Cold Moon. Like all full moons, its name derives from Native Americans, who dubbed the December moon the cold moon on account of the chilly winter evenings in which it rose.

Don't forget that you can find astronomical information on your home screen, including the timing of the Cold Moon rising on the day, plus what stage the moon is in at any time. Find it on your app's home screen.

If you spend a winter night under the stars for any of these events, and capture it on camera, we would love to see! Use our dedicated uploaders for the UK or Ireland to submit images and videos.