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S&T: Lauren Darby

December doesn't usually come to mind when you think of "best bets" for stargazing, but this year things are different.

For starters, you won't have any trouble recognizing Jupiter, a dazzling "star" high in the south at dusk that far outshines all the real stars around it.

Even better, this December offers two skywatching treats. The first comes on the night of the 13th-14th, when the annual Geminid meteor shower reaches its peak.

Wish for clear skies one week later, December 20-21, when North Americans have front-row seats for the first total lunar eclipse in nearly three years.

Meanwhile, high above and to the north is the dysfunctional mythological family of King Cepheus, his vain wife Cassiopeia, their doomed daughter Andromeda, and the hero Perseus.

Get the lowdown on these sky sights and more by downloading December's audio sky tour. It's a 6½-megabyte MP3 file that's 7 minutes long.

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