The two brightest nighttime objects, the moon and the planet Venus put on a lovely display in the western evening sky of Wednesday, Dec. 4.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As the winter season takes hold, December’s clear, crisp nights offer stargazers a dazzling array of nighttime sights. From the Orion constellation to the bright planet Venus and the annual Geminids meteor shower.

A 'Cold' Moon, multiple meteor showers and a giant gas giant in our night sky are among December's stargazing highlights. Here's what to look forward to this month.

The new moon of December occurs tonight. A day later, Southern Hemisphere observers will see the peak of the Phoenicid meteor shower, and on Dec. 4 the waxing moon will make a close pass to Venus in the evening sky.