December 1986 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

26 sky events total, including 5 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 1986 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.6
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 5.2"
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: 16h22m08s
Declination: -20°46'40"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.9
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 38.2"
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: 14h38m26s
Declination: -12°31'27"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.3
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 7.7"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 22h58m24s
Declination: -07°30'43"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.3
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 39.5"
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: 23h07m21s
Declination: -07°00'16"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 15.1"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 16h48m53s
Declination: -20°56'16"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.8
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 3.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h27m37s
Declination: -23°20'42"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.9
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: 18h21m49s
Declination: -22°20'01"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 11488.7"
Status: Moon illumination 98.4%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 98.4%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 04h24m53s
Declination: +25°32'41"