Astronomical Events December 2022 – National Geographic in Spanish

December 2022 brings the most colorful astrological event of the year. Here we explain when to expect it and how to see it in the best way.

Looking at the sky is looking into the pastAnd the Explain Science journalist Alejandro I. Lopez. For the last time in the year, the astronomical events of December 2022 give us an opportunity to observe the celestial vault at night. Here we tell you who will be the most exhilarating, when You will be able to monitor it and what to do To enjoy it in the best way.

Cold Moon (December 8)

The December full moon is known as the “cold moon‘, since it was identified by ancient settlers in the United States and Canada They appear in the harshest times of winter. The name has been preserved, because in the northern half of the planet it still coincides with The most severe frosts of the year.

Likewise, it is known as The moon of the long nightsBecause “the nights get longer and darker” at the end of the year. This year, it will be possible to see it in all its splendor Around four o’clock in the morning in Mexico Weather permitting, of course.

Also read: The Mystery of the Pleiades: The Seven Sister Stars that Light the Winter Night Sky

Mars in opposition (December 8)

Cold Moon in December 2022 It will coincide with another unique astronomical event: Mars will shine in all its reddish glow night sky Indeed, according to docs astronomical observation deck SeaSky, Will be The night in which it shines most strongly throughout the year.

This happens when the planet It reaches its closest point to Earth. Because of this, your entire face will be illuminated by the sun. The intense reflection of the sun’s rays will cause it to shine all night long, allowing astrophotography enthusiasts to snap pictures.Get unique photos for red planet.

We suggest: The sun is not yellow: its true color evolves over millions of years

Gemini Shower (December 13 and 14)

In December 2022, one of the most amazing astronomical events of the year will arrive: the Geminids rain. Historically, they are distinguished from other meteor showers by their presence The most intense of the annual cycle. On average, 120 meteors of several different colors can be observed piercing the celestial vault.

In this way, it is like the New Year’s Eve party you are giving Rock fragments left behind by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This phenomenon, in and of itself, makes the Geminids unique:

“Among meteor showers with known parent bodies that meteorologists have studied, the Geminids are the only showers with an asteroid body. All others have cometary origin.” Explain NASA.

This giant asteroid has a diameter of more than 5 kilometers, and generates a huge amount of debris. To see them cross the night sky, it is worth visiting a clear space, without light pollution It contradicts the note. anyway The Stars Show begins December 7thI will reach him It climaxes on the night of the thirteenth, to culminate the following morning.

Also read: “Change is inevitable”: this is how the celebration of the summer solstice lived among Wiccan communities

December solstice (December 21)

The word solstice comes from the Latin coupspecifically from “sol” and the verb root “sistere,” which means We take. The term refers to the time when the sun is in one of the tropics, ie Points on the ecliptic are farthest from the equator.

This solstice marks the beginning of winter: in the northern hemisphere it occurs around December 21 (at which time it was The Sun passes through the Tropic of Capricornsouth of the celestial equator), and in the southern hemisphere it occurs on June 21, when The Sun passes through the Tropic of Cancer.

The winter solstice is known as the winter solstice and it is The shortest day and the longest night of the yearOr in the Northern Hemisphere (in the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite happens). It also refers to the moment when the North Pole is in its path due to the tilt of the earth It is 23.5 degrees from the sun.

Ursids shower (December 21 and 22)

At the end of December, the Earth passes through a region of its orbit that coincides with a cloud where remnants of dust, ice and rocks are concentrated. 8P / Tuttlea comet 4.5 km long that takes 13.6 years to go around the sun.

The contact of these particles with Earth’s atmosphere gives shape to the Ursids, the last meteor shower of the year. And although it is not a meteorite, the conditions Up to 12 meteors per hour.

Although it is not one of the most powerful meteor showers of the year, under clear skies and ideal conditions, on a clear night it is possible to observe an average of 12 meteors per hour.

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