December 1990 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

27 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 1990 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.3
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 8.4"
Status: near superior conjunction

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

Right ascension: 18h43m45s
Declination: -23°42'55"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 10.0"
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: 18h14m50s
Declination: -24°09'55"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.6
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 16.2"
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: 03h48m41s
Declination: +22°08'04"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.4
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 42.9"
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: 09h03m33s
Declination: +17°26'38"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.6
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 15.4"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 19h42m35s
Declination: -21°28'29"

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: 18h38m03s
Declination: -23°28'17"

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: 18h58m15s
Declination: -21°58'03"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 11456.1"
Status: Moon illumination 4.3%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 4.3%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 15h43m28s
Declination: -24°18'56"