December 1985 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

26 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 1985 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.2
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 7.0"
Status: near greatest eastern 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: 16h00m56s
Declination: -18°08'17"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 9.9"
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: 16h52m31s
Declination: -22°11'11"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.6
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 4.6"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 13h53m42s
Declination: -10°29'07"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.1
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 35.3"
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: 21h10m07s
Declination: -17°09'51"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 15.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 16h06m29s
Declination: -19°03'09"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.7
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 3.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h09m53s
Declination: -22°59'53"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 8.0
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 2.2"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 18h12m44s
Declination: -22°20'43"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 12507.3"
Status: Moon illumination 12.1%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 12.1%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 20h28m01s
Declination: -24°23'06"