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As December progresses and days get shorter, nights also get longer – and are filled with stars, galaxies, meteors, and more! Will Snyder, manager of the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in St. Louis, Missouri, shares what to look for in the December night sky over the Carolinas, including star clusters, galaxies, and nebulas.
Segment Highlights:
- Will Snyder was formerly the Planetarium Director at the Schiele Museum in Gastonia, NC.
- Look out for the Geminids meteors, which are active from December 4th-20th. However, peak night, from the night of December 13th to the morning of the 14th, is the best time to see the best display of the meteor shower.
- Are you ever unsure if you’re looking at a planet or a star? Planets are brighter than stars in the night sky – keep an eye out for Jupiter this December! Stars also twinkle more than planets.
- Orion Nebula is another star cluster to look out for. A nebula is essentially a big cloud of dust and gas in space, which can form stars and star clusters. Orion Nebula can be seen beneath Orion’s belt in the constellation.
- The Pleiades is another open star cluster and is easily visible to the unaided eye. It’s nicknamed “the Seven Sisters” because you can typically see six or seven stars close together.
- Will’s personal favorite to look for is the Andromeda Galaxy, a spiral galaxy that can be seen in early evening hours in the winter.
Want to get outside & stargaze this winter? Make sure you’re bundled up & prepared for the cold weather! Jesse Brown’s is Charlotte’s one-stop shop for winter coats, fleece, layers, and more! Stop by the store or shop online HERE.
