*12月の星空の見どころは？
12月は空気が澄みわたり、星々がひときわ輝いて見える季節です。息が白くなる夜、ゆっくりと冬の星空を見上げながら一年を振り返ってみてはいかがでしょうか。
■星空カレンダー
12/5 満月
12/7 大雪
12/12 下弦
12/14 ふたご座流星群が極大
12/20 新月
12/22 冬至
12/28 上弦
■惑星はいつどの方角に見える
水星:日の出前の南東の低空
金星:日の出直前の南東の低空
火星:観測は難しい
木星:日の入り3時間後の東の空
土星:宵の南から南西の空
出典:国立天文台
*What are the highlights of the night sky in December?
December brings clear, crisp air, making the stars shine brighter than ever. On nights when your breath turns white, take a moment to gaze up at the winter sky and reflect on the year that’s coming to an end. The long nights of winter offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the heavens.
■Stargazing Calendar
12/5 Full Moon
12/7 Major Snow
12/12 Last Quarter Moon
12/14 Geminid Meteor Shower peaks
12/20 New Moon
12/22 Winter Solstice
12/28 First Quarter Moon
■When and in what direction can the planets be seen?
Mercury: Low in the southeast before sunrise
Venus: Low in the southeast just before sunrise
Mars: Difficult to observe this month
Jupiter: In the eastern sky about three hours after sunset
Saturn: In the southern to southwestern sky in the early evening
