December 1961 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

19 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 1961 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.3
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 4.6"
Status: near inferior conjunction

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

Right ascension: 17h24m58s
Declination: -24°25'03"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 10.0"
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: 16h43m53s
Declination: -21°49'37"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.2
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 3.8"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h28m07s
Declination: -23°51'04"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.1
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 34.4"
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: 20h37m38s
Declination: -19°11'56"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.7
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 15.4"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 19h59m50s
Declination: -20°54'19"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 10h11m24s
Declination: +12°00'08"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 8.0
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 2.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 14h42m22s
Declination: -13°56'26"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 12529.3"
Status: Moon illumination 52.0%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 52.0%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 23h45m58s
Declination: -04°43'55"