December 1971 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 1971 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 4.2
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 9.8"
Status: near greatest eastern elongation

Observation tip: Binoculars are recommended; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 17h05m46s
Declination: -20°35'01"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 11.6"
Status: near greatest western elongation

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: 19h26m29s
Declination: -23°36'05"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.0
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 8.9"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 23h33m31s
Declination: -03°31'12"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.8
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 31.4"
Status: near eastern 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: 17h10m16s
Declination: -22°31'54"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.3
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 20.4"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Saturn’s rings require a telescope to see clearly

Right ascension: 03h59m24s
Declination: +18°23'50"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.6
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 3.8"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 13h05m56s
Declination: -06°18'52"

Neptune

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

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

Right ascension: 16h07m16s
Declination: -19°17'22"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 11594.0"
Status: Moon illumination 7.7%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 7.7%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 15h06m36s
Declination: -22°40'15"