In this guide we\u2019ll look at which planets are visible in the night sky throughout December 2020, which are best-placed for observing, and what you need to know to spot them.<\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s poorly placed at the start of December, the planet Mercury\u2019s position improves towards the end of the month, aided by that brilliant beacon of the twilight sky, Venus.<\/p>\n

On 19 December<\/strong>, Mercury sets around 35 minutes after the Sun and despite shining at mag. \u20130.7 on this date, will be a tricky object to see.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, this brightness is maintained for the rest of the month, and coupled with an increasing apparent separation from the Sun, it will become an easier target as we head towards the end of December.<\/p>\n

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Passing through the eastern part of the constellation of Sagittarius<\/a>, the Archer, Mercury can be seen slowly approaching Venus in the evening twilight.<\/p>\n
On 29 December<\/strong>, both planets appear separated by 4.3\u02da, Mercury being south of mag. \u20134.3 Venus on this date.<\/p>\n
Mercury sets about 1 hour and 15 minutes after the Sun on 29 December<\/strong>, so with a good flat southwest horizon, there\u2019s every chance of spotting the mag. \u20130.7 planet from approximately 30 minutes after sunset.<\/p>\n
By 31 December<\/strong>, although located 6.3\u02da southeast of Venus, the orientation of both planets is such that they more-or-less level out and appear to set together on this date. Both planets set 1 hour and 20 minutes after the Sun on 31 December<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re able to get a telescope trained on Mercury, it will show as a tiny, almost fully lit disc mid-month, having a 97%-lit phase on 16 December<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
This drops to 80%-lit by 31 December<\/strong>. Over the same period the planet\u2019s apparent size increases from 4.9 to 5.8 arcseconds, still rather small by any measure.<\/p>\n
Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation next month, on 7 January<\/strong>. A thin, 5%-lit waxing crescent Moon<\/a> lies near to it a few days earlier on 4 January<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
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