December 1987 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

26 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 4 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 1987 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.0
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 4.7"
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: 17h06m46s
Declination: -23°39'09"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 11.8"
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: 19h31m56s
Declination: -23°27'43"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.7
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 4.1"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 14h45m41s
Declination: -15°21'12"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.6
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 44.5"
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: 01h15m04s
Declination: +06°27'22"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.4
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 15.1"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h31m46s
Declination: -22°09'03"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 17h45m19s
Declination: -23°33'51"

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: 18h30m54s
Declination: -22°17'26"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 11827.3"
Status: Moon illumination 35.5%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 35.5%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 12h33m05s
Declination: -04°37'16"