December 1976 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

20 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 1976 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.6
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 6.0"
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: 18h54m12s
Declination: -25°01'57"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.2
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 17.0"
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: 20h37m35s
Declination: -20°48'04"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.3
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: 17h04m58s
Declination: -23°17'52"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.8
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 47.6"
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: 03h22m48s
Declination: +17°27'37"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.1
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 19.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 09h17m16s
Declination: +16°39'12"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.6
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 3.7"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 14h31m25s
Declination: -14°26'22"

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: 16h51m28s
Declination: -21°02'32"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 12456.0"
Status: Moon illumination 43.8%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 43.8%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 11h57m20s
Declination: -02°40'04"