December 1978 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

24 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 3 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 1978 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.4
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 8.5"
Status: near greatest eastern elongation

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 16h16m01s
Declination: -18°23'30"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.9
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 39.7"
Status: near greatest eastern 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: 14h42m26s
Declination: -12°51'16"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 3.9"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 18h07m31s
Declination: -24°15'29"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.5
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 43.5"
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: 08h44m06s
Declination: +18°39'44"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 18.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 11h03m14s
Declination: +07°59'35"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.6
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 3.6"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 15h05m56s
Declination: -17°06'23"

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: 17h09m13s
Declination: -21°32'28"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 11625.1"
Status: Moon illumination 99.6%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 99.6%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 05h51m47s
Declination: +18°27'36"