When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.Dec. 25 is a perfect time to appreciate the beauty of the winter night sky. | Credit: Borchee via Getty ImagesChristmas is a wonderful time for those who celebrate and once the turkey dinner is done and the wrapping paper has been tidied away, there’s always one last treat that we all can share — the majesty of the winter night sky.So, gather your friends and family and join us on a Christmas night sky tour featuring glistening constellations, bright planets and, of course, where to find the moon on this silent night.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDid you get a new telescope, binoculars or a camera for Christmas? Then be sure to check out our guide featuring expert advice on how to begin your amateur astronomy journey, or read up on how to photograph the night sky, or the lunar surface. Those new to the night sky may also want to peruse our roundups of the best astronomy smartphone apps, which use augmented reality technology to help you find specific stars, planets, or deep sky objects with ease.What to look out for in the Christmas night skyThe hours following sunset on Dec. 25 offer a wealth of naked-eye astronomy targets that can put even the most glitzy Christmas lights to shame, especially when viewed from a dark sky location.Look to the southwestern horizon soon after nightfall to find the delicate 35%-lit waxing crescent moon shining low in the winter sky. Saturn shines nearby as a bright “evening star” less than 15 degrees to the moon’s upper left. For reference, the width of your fist held at arm’s length accounts for roughly 10 degrees of sky, while the span of your three middle fingers is approximately 5 degrees.A NASA graphic showing key lunar features visible on Dec. 25. | Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization StudioA 6-inch telescope will help reveal several of Saturn’s largest moons, including Rhea, Titan, Tethys and Dione. Sadly, the gas giant’s sweeping ring system will appear as little more than a thin line, thanks to its current edge-on alignment with Earth following a ring plane crossing in March earlier this year.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdverti …
