• Yes, it'll be possible to see every planet of the solar system on these

December 2012 nights. With the International Astronomical Union reclassifying Pluto as a dwarf planet in 2006, that leaves a total of eight known full-fledged planets inhabiting our solar system. In their outward order from the sun, these planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Given clear skies - and optical aid in the

Sizes of the four outer gas giant planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune - in contrast to our sun. Image via Wikimedia Commons

case of Uranus and Neptune - our sun's family of planets will be yours to behold.
• Four of these planets are found in the evening sky, starting at nightfall. Going from west to east, these planets are Mars, Neptune, Uranus and Jupiter. (See charts below.) The farther west the planet is at nightfall, the sooner it sets after the sun. You can't miss dazzling Jupiter in your eastern sky at nightfall, but the three other evening planets in the south to southwest sky - Mars, Uranus and Neptune - will pose much more of a challenge.
• More detailed info on Uranus and Neptune here
• Mars follows the sun beneath the horizon shortly after nightfall, so it might behoove you to search for the red planet low in the southwest as soon as darkness

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