December 1988 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

25 sky events total, including 5 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 1988 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 4.8"
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: 18h03m31s
Declination: -25°22'21"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 11.5"
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: 15h38m29s
Declination: -18°00'07"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.5
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 11.3"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 00h44m19s
Declination: +04°52'24"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.8
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 47.9"
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: 03h44m54s
Declination: +18°49'48"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Capricornus
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: 18h15m33s
Declination: -22°39'25"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 18h03m11s
Declination: -23°39'27"

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: 18h40m08s
Declination: -22°12'47"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 12550.7"
Status: Moon illumination 36.2%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 36.2%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 22h35m21s
Declination: -08°58'28"