Stargazing Calendar for December 2025
December is shaping up to be a standout month for stargazing in 2025, with the night sky offering more than a few surprises for fans of astronomy. From bright encounters to quiet cosmic highlights, the month holds plenty worth stepping outside for. Here’s a glimpse of what awaits overhead.
Would you like to be notified of stargazing events?
List of Meteor Showers in December 2025
- Antihelion Source: Start on December 10; multiple peaks; end September 10.
- Northern Taurids: Start on October 20; peak on November 12; end on December 10.
- November Orionids: Start on November 13; peak on November 28; end on December 6.
- Andromedids: Start on November 25; peak on November 30; end on December 5.
- Phoenicids: Start on November 28; peak on December 2; end on December 9.
- December φ-Cassiopeids: Start on December 1; peak on December 6; end on December 8.
- Puppid-Velids: Start on December 1; peak on December 7; end on December 15.
- Monocerotids: Start on December 5; peak on December 8; end on December 20.
- σ-Hydrids: Start on December 3; peak on December 11; end on December 15.
- λ-Sculptorids: Start on December 12; peak on December 12; end on December 13.
- Geminids: Start on December 4; peak on December 14; end on December 17.
- Comae Berenicids: Start on December 12; peak on December 15; end on December 23.
- December Leonis Minorids: Start on December 5; peak on December 20; end on February 4.
- Ursids: Start on December 17; peak on December 22; end on December 26.
- Quadrantids: Start on December 26; peak on January 4; end on January 12.
We also have a complete list of meteor showers for the entire year of 2025 here.
List of Planetary Conjunctions in December 2025
- Close approach of the Moon and Pleiades in Taurus on December 4.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Gemini on December 7.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury in Scorpius and Ophiuchus on December 18.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Pisces and Aquarius on December 27.
- Close approach of the Moon and Pleiades in Taurus on December 31.
Moon Phases in December 2025
As you know, the Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies and astronomical events in the night sky. So to help you with stargazing, here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of December 2025:
December 2: Phoenicid meteor shower peak
The Phoenicids are a variable meteor shower. Although the peak is on December 2, some meteors could also be spotted between November 28 and December 9.
The meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation of Phoenix at the low average speed of 18 km/s. The Moon will be 12 days old waxing gibbous at 92% and unfortunately will be interfering with stargazing this early December 2025.
December 2: Comet C/2025 T1 (ATLAS) at perihelion
The comet C/2025 T1 (ATLAS) will reach perihelion, meaning it will reach the closest point in its orbit to the Sun at a distance of 1.11 AU. It will have an apparent magnitude of 10.9 according to the BAA Comet Section, so requiring a large telescope. Look in the constellation of Vulpecula.
December 4: Close approach of the Moon and Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades star cluster (M45) will make a close approach or appulse, by passing within 48.4 arcminutes of each other. This will happen in the constellation of Taurus.
You can observe this astronomical event with the naked eye because the Moon will be at apparent magnitude -12.8 and M45 at 1.3. The Moon will be 14 days old, meaning it will be at full moon.
December 6: December φ-Cassiopeid meteor shower peak
The December Phi Cassiopeiids will peak with a zenithal hourly rate of 2. Some meteors may also be spotted between December 1 and 8. They will radiate from the constellation of Cassiopeia at the speed of 16 km/s on average. The Moon will be a 16 days old waning gibbous at 95%.
December 7: Puppid-Velid meteor shower peak
The Puppid-Velids will peak with 10 meteors per hour on average (zenithal hourly rate), assuming ideal viewing conditions. Unfortunately the viewing conditions will be far from ideal because the Moon will be a 17 days old waning gibbous at 89%.
Some meteors can also be seen between December 1 and 15, radiating from the constellation of Vela at the average speed of 40 km/s.
December 7: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 3°42′ of each other.
Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 3°36′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.
The two celestial bodies will meet in the constellation of Gemini with the Moon at apparent magnitude of -12.7 and Jupiter at -2.6. The Moon will be 17 days old waning gibbous at 85%.
December 8: Mercury at greatest western elongation
Mercury will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky, making it the best time to view the planet. Look for it low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
It will be at apparent magnitude -0.5 in the constellation of Libra. The Moon will be 18 days old, waning gibbous at 82%.
December 8: Asteroid 16 Psyche at opposition
The asteroid 16 Psyche will be at opposition at around midnight local time. It will reach the highest point in the sky and opposite to the Sun.
At the same time the asteroid will be closest to the Earth (perigee) at a distance of 1.687 AU. At this time it will be the brightest, with an apparent magnitude of 9.7. Look in the constellations of Taurus with binoculars or a telescope. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the close approach of the Moon and Pleiades on December 4.)
December 8: Monocerotid meteor shower peak
The Monocerotids are a small meteor shower with 2 meteors on average during the peak if conditions are perfect. Some meteors could also be spotted between December 5 and 20.
The meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation of Monoceros at the average speed of 41 km/s. The Moon will be 18 days old, waning gibbous at 82%.
December 10: Neptune ends retrograde motion
Neptune will end retrograde motion, which means it will stop traveling westward through the constellations and instead return to the more usual eastward motion instead.
Neptune can be spotted in the constellation of Pisces with an apparent magnitude of 7.9.
December 11: σ-Hydrid meteor shower peak
The Sigma Hydrids are a small meteor shower with 3 meteors on average during the peak if conditions are perfect. The Moon will be 21 days old waning crescent at 45%.
Some meteors could also be spotted between December 3 and 15. They will appear to radiate from the constellation of Hydra at the average speed of 58 km/s.
December 12: λ-Scupltorid meteor shower peak
The Lambda Scupltorids, a recently discovered small variable rate meteor shower, will peak on December 12.
Some meteors may also be spotted between December 12 and 13. They will radiate from the constellation of Sculptor at the slow speed of 11 km/s on average. The Moon will be 22 days old waning crescent at 42%.
December 12: Large Magellanic Cloud at its highest point in the sky
The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way and the fourth-largest galaxy in the Local Group. It is located 163,000 light-years from us. The galaxy will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time.
With an apparent magnitude of 0.9, the LMC can be seen with the naked eye, but for better results I would recommend at least a pair of standard binoculars. Can you image that this small little cloud is home to 20 billion stars? Look in the constellation of Dorado.
December 14: Geminid meteor shower peak
The Geminids (see featured image at the top of the article) are one of the largest meteor showers of the year with as many as 120 meteors per hour on average if conditions are ideal. Fortunately, given that the Moon will be a 24 days old waning crescent at 22%, stargazing conditions will be aproaching ideal this middle of December 2025.
Some meteors can also be seen between December 4 and December 17. They will appear to radiate from the constellation of Gemini at an average speed of 35 km/s. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter on December 7.) The Geminids originate from debris left by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon.
December 15: Orion Nebula at its highest point in the sky
The Orion Nebula (also known as Messier 42, M42, or NGC 1976) is a diffuse nebula located south of Orion’s Belt in the constellation of Orion. It is known as the middle “star” in the “sword” of Orion. The nebula will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time.
With an apparent magnitude of 4.0, the Orion Nebula is difficult to see with the naked eye unless you’re in a dark area. This is why I would recommend at least a pair of standard binoculars or better yet—a telescope. The Moon will be a 25 days old waning crescent at 11%.
December 16: Comae Berenicid meteor shower peak
The Comae Berenicids are a small meteor shower with a zenithal hourly rate of only 3 meteors during the peak. Some meteors may also be seen between December 12 and December 23 radiating from the constellation of Coma Berenices at the fast speed of 65 km/s on average. The Moon will be a 26 days old waning crescent at 10%.
December 18: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
The Moon and Mercury will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 6°09′ of each other.
You can find the Moon in the constellation of Scorpius at apparent magnitude -8.5 and Mercury in the neighboring constellation of Ophiuchus at apparent magnitude -0.5. The Moon will be a 28 days old waning crescent at 1%.
December 20: December Leonis Minorid meteor shower peak
The December Leonis Minorids are a small meteor shower with only an average of 5 meteors per hour during the peak if conditions are perfect. Some meteors may also be seen between December 5 and February 4 radiating from the constellation of Leo Minor at the high speed of 64 km/s on average. The Moon will be in the new moon phase and so it will offer no interference at all.
December 21: December Solstice
The December solstice will occur at 15:04 UTC. It will be the shortest day and beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere and the longest day and beginning of summer in the southern hemisphere.
December 22: Ursid meteor shower peak
The Ursids are a small variable rate meteor shower that will peak this December 22. Some meteors may also be spotted between December 17 and December 26. They will radiate from the constellation of Ursa Minor at the speed of 33 km/s on average. The Moon will be a 2 days old waxing crescent at 8%.
December 27: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will reach conjunction passing within 4°01′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 3°32′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.
The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -11.8 in the constellation of Pisces and Saturn at magnitude 0.9 in the neighbouring constellation of Aquarius. The Moon will be a 7 days old waxing crescent at 48%.
December 29: Rosette Nebula at its highest point in the sky
The Rosette Nebula (also known as Caldwell 49 or NGC 2237) is an emission nebula about 5200 light-years away. The nebula will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time. Look in the constellation of Monoceros. (The constellation map has already been show above, while discussing the Monocerotid meteor shower peak on December 8.)
With an apparent magnitude of 4.3, the Rosette Nebula is best observed with at least a pair of standard binoculars or a telescope for more detail.
December 31: Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades (also known as M45 or Messier 45) will make a close approach, passing within 55.4 arcminutes of each other.
Both objects will be in the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at apparent magnitude -12.7 ; and the Pleiades at 1.3. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the previous close approach of the Moon and Pleiades on December 4.) The Moon will be 11 days old and waxing gibbous at 92% and will interfere in stargazing this late December 2025.
Positions of the Planets in December 2025
- Mercury: The closest planet to the Sun can be seen at dawn and dusk travelling across the constellations of Libra, Scorpius and then Ophiuchus. This planet, being the closest to the Sun, will appear to move quickly in the night sky and its position will change in the following weeks.
- Venus: The sister planet can be seen travelling across the constellation of Libra. Just like Mercury, Venus can only be seen at dawn and dusk.
- Mars: The red planet can be seen in the constellation of Ophiuchus.
- Jupiter: The gas giant is visible in the constellation of Gemini. Jupiter can easily be spotted with the naked eye, even in highly illuminated cities.
- Saturn: The ringed giant can be seen with the naked eye in the constellation of Aquarius.
- Uranus: The ice giant can be seen in the constellation of Taurus with the use of a telescope.
- Neptune: The blue giant requires a telescope pointed in the constellation of Pisces in order to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Large Asteroids in December 2025
- Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet can be seen in the constellation of Cetus with the help of a telescope.
- Vesta: This large asteroid can be seen in the constellation of Sagittarius with a telescope.
- Pallas: The asteroid can be observed with a telescope in the constellation of Aquarius.
- Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid can be found with a telescope in the constellation of Gemini.
- Pluto: This distant dwarf planet can be found in the constellation of Capricornus with the help of a large telescope.
Major astronomical events next month – January 2026
- January 2: Asteroid 40 Harmonia at opposition
- January 4: Quadrantids meteor shower peak
- January 4: Comet 24P/Schaumasse at perigee
- January 10: Jupiter at opposition
- January 18: γ-Ursae Minorids meteor shower peak
- January 20: Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) at perihelion
- January 23: Asteroid 44 Nysa at opposition
Conclusion
December offers a packed sky full of meteor showers, bright planets, and stunning deep-sky objects, making stargazing this December 2025 an exciting month for anyone who loves astronomy. Whether you’re watching the Geminids under ideal conditions or catching a close approach between the Moon and your favorite celestial bodies, there’s something to enjoy almost every night. Bundle up, find a dark spot, and make the most of this brilliant month in the cosmos.
To ensure you don’t miss out on any celestial happenings, sign up for our newsletter to receive stargazing calendars and more updates. Keep your telescopes ready and clear your calendar for these cosmic highlights!
Sources:
- Planetary ephemerides produced by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- International Meteor Organization
See also:
- Previous month’s calendar: Stargazing Calendar for November 2025
Would you like to receive similar articles by email?
Paul Tomaszewski
Paul Tomaszewski is a science & tech writer as well as a programmer and entrepreneur. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of CosmoBC. He has a degree in computer science from John Abbott College, a bachelor's degree in technology from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, and completed some business and economics classes at Concordia University in Montreal. While in college he was the vice-president of the Astronomy Club. In his spare time he is an amateur astronomer and enjoys reading or watching science-fiction. You can follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter.
You May Also Like
Reaction Injection Molding Innovations in Clinical Equipment
Monthly Stargazing Calendar for April 2013
