The night sky in December 2026
In December 2026, 2 meteor showers peak, and the darkest skies fall around the New Moon on the 9th.
Moon phases
The Moon sets the rhythm of the month — the New Moon brings the darkest skies for faint objects, the Full Moon the brightest nights. Dates are in UTC and may shift a day in your time zone.
Last QuarterDec 1
New MoonDec 9
First QuarterDec 17
Full MoonDec 24
Last QuarterDec 30
Meteor showers
Peaks are approximate and shift a day year to year. Watch from the darkest site you can reach, after midnight, with no Moon in the sky. See our meteor-shower guide for the technique.
- Geminids — peaks around Dec 14, up to ~120/hr. The year's best — slow, colourful, and prolific.
- Ursids — peaks around Dec 22, up to ~10/hr. A modest shower near the winter solstice.
Turn this month into a plan for your sky — Stella has the exact times, weather, and dark sites.
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