SKYWATCH: December 2021
By Phillip Virden: Lake City, Colorado Amateur Astronomer, Cooperative Observer for 30+ years for National Weather Service, Dark Sky Coordinator for Lake Fork Valley Conservancy
“Golden rays fading…across western horizon…whispering good night”
November Weather in Review
Average high temperature was 51.4 vs 45.5 historical average.
Warmest recorded temperature was 63 on November 6.
Average low temperature was 18.6 vs 13.4 historical average.
Coldest temperature was 8 on November 18 and 19.
*Average mean temperature was 35 vs 29.4 historical average
* New unofficial mean temperature record. Old record was 35.8 in 1999.
Total precipitation was only .39” vs .96” historical average.
Historic December Weather Averages
Average high temperature is 34.2
Average low temperature is 1.3
Average mean temperature is 17.8
Average precipitation is .99”
If you like a long Indian summer, then November 2021 was to your liking. Dry and warm conditions were prevalent. Sunny days and clear nights were in abundance. At the same time, we continue to fall behind on our moisture. La Nina, Climate Change, and other factors are playing into this scenario. Unfortunately, the long-range forecast for the next three months call for below average snowfall. We need a snow dance!
Beautiful Partial Lunar Eclipse on the morning of November 19
Solstice at Stonehenge – Courtesy of iPhoto
The Gemini constellation is already visible in the early morning hours of November. Meteors will appear to radiate from Gemini the night of December 13 and the morning of December 14.
December Night Sky
December 4th – Venus will be at its brightest appearing high in the west at dusk.
Week of December 5th and 12th – Comet Leonard may be visible. More information below.
December 6th – 9th – The crescent Moon will pass near Venus, Saturn, & Jupiter.
December 10th – First quarter Moon
December 13th – Geminid meteor shower. One of the most reliable meteor showers. The light from the waxing gibbous Moon will interfere but, if you are an early riser, there is a chance of seeing more when the Moon sets on December 14.
December 18th – Full Moon
December 21st – At 8:59 a.m., the Winter Solstice takes place. It usually marks the shortest day and the longest day of the year. The Sun will appear at its farthest point in the south.
December 22 – Newest launch date for James Webb telescope.
December 28 – Spica will appear near the crescent Moon at dawn.
December 30 – Mercury will appear near Venus in the west at dusk.
December 31 – Red Mars and red Antares will both be near the Moon at dawn.
Comet Watch
Comet Leonard was discovered on January 3, 2021, way Greg Leonard. It was at distance of about 5 Astronomical Units (a unit of length – the distance from the Earth to the Sun – 93,000,000 miles) away from Earth. Comet Leonard is moving fast at 160,000 miles per hour! On the morning (4:30 to 6:00 a.m.) of December 6, Leonard will be at about its highest point in the sky…appearing about five degrees from the star Arcturus in the constellation Boötes for a great binocular (and naked eye view). From December 12 thru Christmas, Comet Leonard can be seen low in 66the west near Venus. Leonard will reach perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) on our solar system to journey far into deep space.
Comet Neowise – Summer of 2020
If conditions cooperate, Lake City Skies will hold a comet watch session at Windy Point later in December. If so, we will post more details in Skywatch, on our Lake City Skies Facebook page, and in the Silver World newspaper.