December 1948 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

26 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 2 planetary events.

Daily Sky Events

All times are in local time (Asia/Shanghai)

Group Date Sunrise/Sunset Moonrise/Moonset Moon Phase Sky Events

Planetary outlook

December 1948 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.2
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 4.6"
Status: near greatest western elongation

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 17h34m14s
Declination: -24°44'09"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.0
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 12.0"
Status: near inferior conjunction

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Venus is the brightest planet and is best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 15h25m44s
Declination: -17°04'58"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 4.1"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 19h00m37s
Declination: -23°47'16"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 32.0"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its moons are easy to spot and it is excellent for telescope observing

Right ascension: 18h28m07s
Declination: -23°16'18"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.6
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 18.6"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Saturn’s rings require a telescope to see clearly

Right ascension: 10h34m13s
Declination: +10°41'17"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.5
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 3.9"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Binoculars are recommended; Binoculars or a telescope are recommended

Right ascension: 05h54m39s
Declination: +23°38'56"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.9
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 2.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: A telescope is required; A telescope is required; Neptune appears blue-green

Right ascension: 12h57m11s
Declination: -04°26'11"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 12146.8"
Status: Moon illumination 97.7%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 97.7%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 04h12m54s
Declination: +23°54'14"