This month in the sky
The night sky in December 2027
In December 2027 the best-placed deep-sky targets around midnight are M42 Orion Nebula, M35, M37 Salt and Pepper Cluster. The darkest nights fall around the new moon on 27 December. Planets in the night sky: Jupiter (morning), Saturn (most of the night).
Moon and darkness
| New moon | 27 December |
|---|---|
| Full moon | 13 December |
| Full darkness at 52° N | about 12.0 hours a night |
Plan faint galaxies in the week around new moon; bright nebulae and clusters also work near full moon.
Best placed around midnight
| Target | Type | Size | Sky needed | Highest at 52° N | Highest at 40° N | Frames it best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M42 Orion Nebula | star-forming nebula | 66′ | City-friendly | 33° | 45° | Seestar S30 Pro |
| M35 | open cluster | 28′ | City-friendly | 62° | 74° | Origin Mark II |
| M37 Salt and Pepper Cluster | open cluster | 24′ | City-friendly | 71° | 83° | Seestar S50 |
| M36 Pinwheel Cluster | open cluster | 12′ | City-friendly | 72° | 84° | Odyssey |
| M38 Starfish Cluster | open cluster | 21′ | City-friendly | 74° | 86° | Seestar S50 |
| M78 | reflection nebula | 8′ | City-friendly | 38° | 50° | Odyssey |
| M79 | globular cluster | 9′ | City-friendly | 13° | 25° | Odyssey |
| M1 Crab Nebula | supernova remnant | 6′ | City-friendly | 60° | 72° | mosaic or too small |
Already high in the evening
These targets culminate around 22:00 this month: ideal if you do not want to stay up late.
| Target | Type | Size | Sky needed | Highest at 52° N | Highest at 40° N | Frames it best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M45 Pleiades | open cluster | 110′ | City-friendly | 62° | 74° | Seestar S30 Pro |
Planets
Calculated for the 15th at 52° N: planets at least 10° high while it is dark.
- Jupiter: morning, up to 41° high
- Saturn: most of the night, up to 44° high
Meteor showers
- Geminids, peak around 14 December
- Ursids, peak around 22 December
Questions and answers
- What is the best smart telescope target in December?
- M42 Orion Nebula is among the best-placed targets around midnight, and the Seestar S30 Pro frames it best.
- When are the darkest nights in December?
- Around the new moon on 27 December, when moonlight does not brighten the sky.