The Return Of Orion The Hunter In The Night Sky In December 2016

People can all witness the intensely bright object presently visible in the evening twilight -- and that is no other than the planet Venus. This Earth-sized planet is roofed in a very thick, dense and mostly carbon-dioxide atmosphere.

Thus, it makes it extremely reflective, causing over 75 percent of incoming daylight back to the area. This is much higher compared to the planet Earth, which reflects 39 percent, and makes Venus the brightest planet visible from Earth. Its position improves throughout the month of December, setting 4 hours after the Sun on New Year's Eve. People can see it on top of the south to west-southwest horizon, 20 minutes after sunset. A stunning waxing crescent Moon sits close from Dec. 31 to Jan. 2.

According to The Telegraph, full Moon this month happens on Dec. 14, and this year it will interfere with the annual Geminid meteor shower. This peaks on the nights of Dec. 13 and Dec. 14. The brightest Geminid trails are going to be hidden by the Moon's amazing glare, however.

The annual Ursid meteor shower could be of a higher prospect, being most active on Dec. 22 once the Moon's influence have waned. Its peak visual rate of some meteors per hour demands warm clothing, an ample amount of quantity of resilience to look at throughout lengthy, cold December nights.

The skies are going to be darkest at the beginning and end of December. When there will be no Moon to spoil the night sky, the foremost outstanding constellation is Orion the Hunter. 

This has a pattern that is easy to recognize. It is centered on a line of three similar bright stars that are forming the Hunter's belt. Hanging down from his belt is his sword, outlined by a misty line of some fainted stars, according to Sky and Telescope.

Orion is filled with nebulosity and represents one of the most active sites of star formation visible in the night sky. The brilliant and dark nebulae that occupy the region are a part of what is referred to as the Orion Molecular Cloud (OMC) Complex placed between 1,500 and 1,600 lightyears away.