On November 30, astronomy enthusiasts witnessed the fourth and final semi-tangential eclipse of 2020, coinciding with the peak of the beaver moon, and they will be on time for more exciting events in the last month of the year.

And a semi-eclipse occurred in North America, and it is a result of the moon’s move across the semi-shadow region of the Earth, in which case the moon’s light becomes dim without being diminished.

The semi-shade is the region in which part of the sunlight is blocked from the moon, meaning that an observer of the sun on the moon's surface sees it partially eclipsed.

After this astronomical event, the Earth's sky will witness a solar eclipse within 35 days, on December 14, and it will be a total eclipse in North America.

Chile and Argentina will be the main beneficiaries of the moon’s movement in front of the sun from Earth’s perspective.

The 2020 astronomical calendar was full of exciting celestial events, including a rare blue moon, meteor showers, lunar and eclipses, and as we enter the last month of the year, there are still a few events worth watching and watching.

December will witness meteor showers, a winter solstice, the last full moon of 2020 and a total solar eclipse, depending on where you are in the world.

The Geminids meteors on December 13:

Showers will peak on the night of December 13 and in the early morning of December 14, and the event will be visible for approximately two weeks from December 4 to 16, all over the world, although the best view of the scene will be in the Northern Hemisphere.

Its climax coincides with a new moon, so meteors will appear brighter in the night sky with no light pollution from the moon. You can expect to see up to 50 meteors per hour, with the best viewing time around 2am.

Total solar eclipse on December 14:

The moon will pass directly in front of the sun, forming a total solar eclipse on December 14th. Unfortunately, the scene will only be visible to people in certain areas of the Southern Hemisphere.

There will be a partial eclipse visible in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru and Ecuador, as well as in parts of Antarctica and the southwestern parts of Africa.

The Dipid meteor showers on December 21

The last meteor showers of the year will coincide with the winter solstice, and will peak on December 21.

Anyone can look up at the night sky between December 17-26 to follow this event, which is commonly referred to as a shooting star.

Even at their peak, the showers will not exceed between 5 and 10 meteors per hour.

The winter solstice of December 21:

The shortest day of the year holds special significance for some as an opportunity to celebrate the return of the long days.

But the day is also of interest to astronomers in the northern hemisphere, who will be able to enjoy the longest night of the year, weather permitting.

The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21

The winter solstice will welcome what is known as the Great Conjunction, when the two largest planets in our solar system come together in the night sky.

December's event will be the closest great conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn in 397 years.

The rare event can be seen by looking to the west just after sunset, when the two planets will appear to form a "bright double planet."

Full moon on December 30th

This year's last full moon, also known as a cold moon, will occur on December 30th.

Being so close to the winter solstice, the full moon of December will be surrounded by a dark sky for any full moon this year.

Source: The Independent

By:Nadeemy Haded