The winter 2024/2025 has plenty to offer in the night sky. For example two planetary oppositions and an occultation of Saturn by the Moon. That’s by no means all, however.

What celestial events should you absolutely not miss? Find out about all of this and more in our new infographic, which highlights the most spectacular celestial phenomena of the winter season.

Happy stargazing!

December

4 December: Moon meets Venus
In the evening of December 4, the sky offers a particularly brilliant spectacle. During twilight the crescent Moon and the radiant planet Venus come close together just above the Southwestern horizon. The Moon will appear as an ultra-thin crescent, as it will only be three days past New Moon. Venus will shine about 4.5 degrees above the Moon and is easily visible with the naked eye. This event provides a perfect opportunity for a picturesque photo, especially during the early stages of twilight.

7 December: Jupiter at Opposition
Starting in early December, Jupiter, the largest planet in our Solar System, will be in opposition to the Sun. This means it will be visible all night and can already be seen above the horizon during evening twilight. Jupiter is the brightest object in the night sky, besides our Moon and Venus. Compare its brightness to the brightest stars in the firmament: Jupiter outshines them all, making it a striking presence.

8 December: Moon meets Saturn
At nightfall of December 8 the Moon and Saturn will be high in the night sky. Both celestial bodies will be in the constellation of Aquarius, which is difficult to recognize due to its faint stars. Meanwhile, the bright planet Venus will glow in the Southwest.

14 December: Geminid Meteor Shower
During the night of December 14 the Geminids will reach their peak. This meteor shower appears to originate from the constellation of Gemini and is often regarded as the strongest one of the year. Its theoretical rate is around 120 meteors per hour, but in reality, fewer are visible. This year the full Moon will interfere, making only the brightest meteors visible. Still, it’s worth heading outside for the chance to catch a particularly bright meteor.

17 December: Moon meets Mars
On December 17 the waning Moon and the planet Mars will be about 5 degrees apart. The red planet and the faintly shimmering crescent Moon will create a fascinating sight together.

25 December: Moon meets Spica
In the early morning hours of December 25 the Moon will approach Spica, the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo. This constellation is typical for the spring sky and Spica will rise higher as winter progresses. A great reason to set your alarm a little earlier!

January

3 January: Moon meets Venus
In the early evening hours of January 3 we’ll witness another encounter between the thin crescent Moon and the planet Venus. Especially during twilight this celestial event emits sheer beauty. Those who look closely may also spot Saturn, which shines much fainter and lies above Venus.

4 January: Moon occults Saturn
On January 4 we’re in for a rare celestial event: The Moon will occult Saturn. At 6:34 PM CET Saturn will disappear behind the dark side of the Moon, as if someone has switched off a light. At 7:36 PM Saturn will re-appear on the other side of the Moon. Start observing a few minutes before Saturn disappears to fully experience the event. A must-see for Astronomy enthusiasts!

9 January: Golden Handle
On January 9 a special light phenomenon will appear on the Moon: The so-called “Golden Handle.” This isn’t an astronaut’s artifact, but a fascinating play of light. The phenomenon occurs when the Moon is 83% illuminated, about 10 days after New Moon. The rising Sun illuminates the mountain peaks of the Jura range, while the valley remains in darkness, creating the impression of a golden handle. Starting at around 5 PM CET it’s worth taking a look through a telescope to enjoy this unique spectacle.

13 January: Moon meets Mars
In the evening of January 13 the Moon and Mars will meet, shining together in the constellation of Gemini. The evening is a good time for an observation, but there’s an even better time: During the early morning hours. Why observe in the morning? Well, during the night the Moon will creep closer to Mars, approaching the red planet within just 0.2 degrees.

16 January: Mars at Opposition
On January 16 the planet Mars will be in opposition and visible high in the night sky all night long. The planet’s diameter will be about 14.5 arcseconds. Along with the bright stars Castor and Pollux in the constellation of Gemini Mars will form a prominent triangle. At a distance of 96 million kilometers, Mars is only five light minutes away from Earth – a great opportunity to observe the red planet through a telescope.

17 January: Saturn meets Venus
In the evening of January 17 Saturn and Venus will stand within about 2 degrees of each other. Not only is this constellation a visual delight, but it also allows for an easy comparison of the two planets’ brightness. Venus will shine 194 times brighter than Saturn. A wonderful reason to observe both planets during twilight.

February

1 February: Moon meets Saturn and Venus
This evening the slender waxing crescent Moon will slip between the planets Saturn and Venus. A striking sight – especially beautiful during twilight. This celestial event offers an excellent opportunity for a stunning photo: The crescent Moon framed by two planets – a true feast for the eyes.

6 February: Moon meets Jupiter and the Pleiades
On February 6, the Moon will move along the ecliptic and reach the famous open star cluster, the Pleiades. Also known as the “Seven Sisters,” the star cluster lies in the constellation Taurus and, together with the bright planet Jupiter, creates a magnificent celestial scene. As the Moon travels, it regularly passes through the so-called “Golden Gate of the Ecliptic,” whose pillars are the Pleiades and the Hyades star cluster. A stunning sight that showcases the Moon’s journey among stars and planets.

9 February: Moon meets Mars
On February 9 the Moon and the red planet Mars will come close again, just shy by 0.5 degrees. Visible in the evening hours, this close pairing is truly impressive. Make sure to take advantage of this opportunity, as the distance between the two is incredibly small.

12 February: Moon meets Regulus
On February 12 the Moon will pass through the constellation of Leo and approach Regulus, the brightest star in Leo. Regulus is one of the brightest stars in the winter sky and, together with the Moon, gives us a preview of the spring constellations to come. Even though it might still be cold, the sky is hinting that spring is not far away.

17 February: Moon meets Spica
On February 17 the Moon will approach Spica, the brightest star in Virgo. Spica is one of the brightest spring stars and will still be fairly low on the horizon during the night of February 17. However as the night progresses, Spica will rise higher, making it an excellent opportunity to observe it alongside the glowing crescent Moon. A lovely chance to re-acquaint yourself with the spring constellations.

From encounters with famous planets – thereof two oppositions – up to nights with beautiful meteor showers: The starry fall sky from September to November offers fascinating views for all stargazers.

In the current infographic “Astro Highlights in Autumn 2024” we have compiled the most beautiful of these celestial events.

You are welcome to use the graphic on our website (with a link to www.astroshop.eu) and inform your visitors about upcoming exciting events.

 

September:

8.9. Saturn in opposition

Saturn is in opposition to the Sun and reaches its best visibility. It can be seen all night long and shines with a brightness of 0.5 magnitudes. It is as bright as the brightest stars in the sky, but is easily recognizable by its yellowish color and steady glow. The ringed planet will reach its highest position – the meridian – only after midnight, making it particularly good to behold in telescopes. Its currently present narrow ring opening is striking, which will continue to diminish until Saturn reaches its edge-on position to Earth in March of next year. This however will not be visible to us because the ringed planet will then be in conjunction with the Sun.

17.9. Moon and Saturn

On September 17th, at 19:15 CEST, we expect a beautiful celestial spectacle: The rising full Moon meets the planet Saturn. The bright Moon and the comparatively weaker Saturn will appear in the evening sky about 5.5 degrees apart. Saturn, which was in opposition to the Sun on September 8th, remains well visible.

18.9. Partial Lunar Eclipse

During the night of September 18th we will experience a glimpse of Earth’s shadow: A partial lunar eclipse. Early birds can perceive the first shadow on the Moon at 4:12am CEST, approaching from the northwest. The maximum coverage of just under 10 percent will be reached around 4:45am CEST. The Moon will finally emerge completely from the Earth’s umbra at 5:18am CEST. Although this is just a minor eclipse, it is a must for all amateur astronomers – keep your telescopes and binoculars ready.

21.9. Neptune in Opposition

On September 21st Neptune reaches its opposition and shines with a brightness of 7.8 mag in the night sky. The planet is visible all night long and can be observed with both telescopes and binoculars. Neptune shows a distinct disc size and a characteristic color appearance in the eyepiece, that clearly distinguishes it from the surrounding stars. Definitely an exciting target for all amateur astronomers.

23.9. Moon meets Jupiter

Just after midnight on September 23rd we can observe the Moon and Jupiter in the constellation of Taurus. Both celestial bodies are about 6 degrees apart. At dawn they will gradually dissipate through the incoming sunlight.

25.9. Moon meets Mars

During the night of September 25th  we can once again observe an encounter between the Moon and Mars. The Moon begins its journey over the Eastern horizon, followed shortly by the Red Planet.

 

October:

5.10. Moon meets Venus

On October 5th you can observe an interesting celestial event on the western horizon: Venus as the evening star meets the crescent Moon. This encounter will be clearly visible in the evening.

9.10. Draconid Meteor Shower

The Draconid meteor shower peaks on October 9th. Meteors of this shower originate from the constellation of Draco, which is located above the Big Dipper. The activity of these shooting stars can vary greatly, so it is recommended to watch out for the Draconids also several days before and after October 9th.

14.10. Moon meets Saturn

In the evening of October 14th a beautiful conjunction between the Moon and Saturn will appear. Saturn, which was in opposition to the Sun last month, still remains visible all night long. During this time Saturn appears particularly bright and prominent, making it an impressive sight in the night sky. The proximity to the Moon enhances the visual impact and offers amateur astronomers a wonderful opportunity for observations.

21.10. Moon meets Jupiter

During this special night you will experience a close encounter between the Moon and Jupiter in the sky, only about 9.5 degrees apart. Both celestial bodies appear amidst a dense field of bright stars, including Capella, Aldebaran and Betelgeuse.

Capella, the brightest star in the constellation of Auriga, shines intensely and has fascinated observers for centuries. Aldebaran, the reddish giant in the constellation of Taurus, marks the prominent eye of the bull. Betelgeuse, a red supergiant in the constellation of Orion, is one of the largest and brightest known stars.

22.10. Orionid Meteor Shower

On October 22nd we expect a night of shooting stars: The Orionids will spawn about 25 to 30 meteors per hour across the night sky. However, their number can vary greatly from year to year. In order to have the best chances for a clear view, observers should use the early morning hours.

The Orionids originate from the famous Halley’s Comet. When Earth passes through the remnants of the comet’s tail, this annual celestial event occurs. The meteors seem to come from the constellation of Orion, which stands out in the southeastern sky during the morning hours. Unfortunately, the Moon will interfere with the observation this year.

A deck chair or a blanket can be helpful for comfortably looking up at the sky. Warm clothing and hot drinks provide additional comfort during an observation in these chilly morning hours.

24.10. Moon meets Mars

On October 24th there is the opportunity to follow the Moon and Mars almost horizontally side by side in the night sky. These two celestial bodies appear together for a short time, offering a picturesque spectacle.

Mars appears as a bright red dot, contrasting with the silver glow of the Moon’s surface. Together they move slowly across the sky and set as a tandem around 23:00pm CEST. Mars will become brighter and its disc diameter will steadily increase, until it reaches a size of 14 arcseconds during its opposition in January.

 

November:

5.11. Moon meets Venus

Venus is currently our evening star, but sets before 19:00pm CEST. On November 5th we can admire the slim crescent Moon together with the brightly shining Venus. The young crescent Moon is only four days old and thus only illuminated by 16 percent. A very aesthetic experience.

10.11. Moon meets Saturn

Saturn and the Moon appear together on November 10th at about 5 degrees apart in the constellation of Aquarius, offering a beautiful view in the night sky.

17.11. Uranus in Opposition

Uranus reaches its opposition and presents itself with a visual brightness of 5.6 mag. Theoretically it could be seen with the naked eye, but in practice it is recommended to use binoculars or a telescope for a clear view.

To locate it it is best to use a star chart to approach it. In the telescope Uranus then appears as a small, sharply outlined disc with a slightly greenish hue. This event offers you the best chance to observe the seventh planet of our solar system.

17.11. Moon meets Jupiter

Shortly after dusk we can see the Moon and Jupiter rise above the horizon. They are framed by the constellations Auriga and Taurus, which contain the bright stars Capella and Aldebaran. A little higher above we see the famous Pleiades star cluster.

17.11. Leonid Meteor Shower

In the night of November 16th to 17th the Leonids reach their peak, offering an impressive celestial event with up to 20 meteors per hour. This event is a must for meteor fans!

The Leonids owe their name to the constellation of Leo, from which they seem to originate. The true origin of this meteor shower lies in the comet Tempel-Tuttle and its particles cause these meteor showers every year. Particularly remarkable: Every 33 years, the meteor shower intensifies into a real meteor storm, producing far more than 20 meteors per hour – sometimes even up to several hundreds per hour!

20.11. Moon meets Mars

The last significant celestial event in November is the conjunction between the Moon and the planet Mars. During this night the Moon passes by the planet Mars and continues towards the constellation of Cancer near the beautiful M44 star cluster, which is also known as the “Beehive Cluster”.

For sky watchers this event offers an opportunity to see several objects simultaneously. The red planet Mars, the Moon and the prominent M44 star cluster, which you can easily spot already with a small pair of binoculars.