A Bright 'Christmas Star' Will Light Up the Sky This Month—Here's When to See It

If you've looked up at the night sky this month, you've probably spotted a single bright point of light that outshines everything around it.

And while it's sometimes referred to as the "Star of Bethlehem" (the celestial light in Christian tradition that guided the wise men to Jesus' birthplace) or the "Christmas Star," it's actually the planet Jupiter, which is reaching its most impressive peak of the year right now.

Throughout December, Jupiter is moving toward opposition—the moment when Earth flies between a planet and the sun, bringing the planet opposite the sun in our sky. According to EarthSky.org, this phenomenon happens on January 10, 2026.

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Jupiter reaches opposition about every 13 months, a phenomenon that makes the planet seem larger and brighter than normal, NASA reports. It shines at a very bright magnitude of -2.4 at the beginning of December and gets even brighter as it approaches opposition, reaching -2.5 by the end of 2025. In astronomy, a lower magnitude corresponds to a brighter object, while negative magnitudes are the brightest, according to Star Walk.

Because of its brightness, you can spot the planet with the naked eye (even through light pollution), while a pair of binoculars will help you get a better view of the planet. Look to the eastern sky about 90 minutes after sunset to see Jupiter any time this month.