Young moon, Jupiter, Saturn glorious December 15 to 18!
Bruce McClure in TONIGHT | December 15, 2020
Bruce McClure in TONIGHT | December 15, 2020
You might – or might not – catch the young whisker-thin moon below the planets Jupiter and Saturn on December 15, 2020. You’ll surely catch the moon and these glorious planets in the west after sunset on December 16, 17 and 18. Giant Jupiter and golden, ringed Saturn are now nearing their December 21 great conjunction. They will be a dazzling and exceedingly rare sight near the young moon in our evening sky. Don’t miss them!
On December 15, the frail waxing crescent moon will be sitting low in the sky, close to the sunset point on the horizon. Shortly thereafter – most likely before nightfall – the moon will be following the sun beneath the horizon. On December 15, you might need binoculars to tease out the lunar crescent from the glow of evening twilight. Meanwhile, Jupiter and Saturn will be shining above the moon – above the sunset point – both bright and very close together!
On December 16, 17 and 18, think photo opportunity as the young crescent moon moves past Jupiter and Saturn, the two largest planets in our solar system. Jupiter is the larger and brighter of these two brilliant beauties, outshining Saturn by 11 times. So if you see Jupiter and not Saturn, aim binoculars at Jupiter to see both Jupiter and Saturn taking the stage in the same binocular field of view.