Association of Friends of Astronomy

Geminid Meteor Shower
The Geminid meteor shower will be active from 4 December to 17 December, producing its peak rate of meteors around 14 December.
At its peak, the shower is expected to produce a nominal rate of around 120 meteors per hour. The shower will peak close to new moon, and so moonlight will present minimal interference.

December Solstice
The December solstice occurs at 03:21 UTC. The South Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its southernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude. This is the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the Southern Hemisphere.

Ursids Meteor Shower
The Ursids is a minor meteor shower producing about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tuttle, which was first discovered in 1790. The shower runs annually from December 17-25. It peaks this year on the the night of the 21st and morning of the 22nd. The waxing gibbous moon will block out most of the faintest meteors this year. But if you are patient, you should still be able to catch a few good ones. Best viewing will be just after midnight from a dark location far away from city lights. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Ursa Minor

Quadrantids Meteor Shower
January 3, 4 - The Quadrantids is an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. It is thought to be produced by dust grains left behind by an extinct comet known as 2003 EH1, which was discovered in 2003. The shower runs annually from January 1-5. It peaks this year on the night of the 3rd and morning of the 4th. The waning gibbous moon will block out some of the fainter meteors, but if you are patient this could still be a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Bootes, but can appear anywhere in the sky

Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation
The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 23.5 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.

Moon at Perigee
The Moon is at its closest approach to Earth, known as perigee. This makes it appear larger and brighter in our night sky.

Saturn Moon Conjunction
Saturn will be making a close approach to the Moon, and they will appear to be close together in the sky. Both will be just 2.1° apart from one another. A good chance for astrophotographers to get shots of both celestial bodies in the same frame.

Jupiter Moon Conjunction
Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, makes a close pass by the Moon, offering a great opportunity to observe and photograph the two together. Two will be 2.6° apart from each other.

Mercury Mars Conjunction
Mercury and Mars will be in planetary conjunction, meaning they appear very close together in the sky. A rare event that’s worth checking out. Conjunction will be visible before Sunrise of 28th

Moon at Apogee
The Moon is at its farthest from Earth, offering a slightly dimmer and smaller appearance.

Lunar occultation of Antares
The Moon will pass in front of Antares (Alpha Scorpii), creating a lunar occultation visible from Asia. Occultation will happen at 04:50 AM IST

Comet C/2021 S3 (PanSTARRS)
Although the comet reaches perihelion only in 2024, it might brighten to magnitude 9 by the end of 2023. In this case, it might become observable with small telescopes. C/2021 S3 (PanSTARRS) is a short-period comet discovered on September 24, 2021, by the Pan-STARRS 2 telescope at Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii, USA

March Equinox
The March equinox occurs at 08:31 IST. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.

Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation
The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 18.7 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.

Lyrids Meteor Shower
The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. The shower runs annually from April 16-25. It peaks this year on the night of the night of the 22nd and morning of the 23rd. These meteors can sometimes produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. Unfortunately the glare of the full moon will block out all but the brightest meteors this year. But if you are patient, you may still be able to catch a few good ones. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Lyra, but can appear anywhere in the sky.