Cloudy weather in December can make stargazing a frustrating experience. A special celestial event or planet you have been eagerly awaiting to view is often blocked by clouds. However disappointing this may be, you can still find some interesting sights in the night sky even with cloudy weather. Whenever there are high clouds look for a halo and faint colored rings around the moon. This optical phenomenon is called a “lunar corona.” They are seen when the clouds are thin enough that each single corona light ray reaching the eye is scattered or diffracted by water droplets or ice crystals.

Now that Venus is blazing above the southwestern horizon after sunset, try to find a “Venus corona.” Thin clouds, fog or mist in front of Venus can produce this optical display. Keep in mind, however, spotting a corona around Venus is rare because they are usually too faint to perceive. Look for Venus early in the evening because it sets around 8 p.m.

First Published: December 6, 2016, 5:00 a.m.