December 1999 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

20 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 1 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 1999 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 5.4"
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: 16h15m09s
Declination: -20°11'05"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.1
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 16.4"
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: 14h35m48s
Declination: -12°47'22"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.9
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 5.3"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 21h09m01s
Declination: -17°43'54"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.7
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 45.2"
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: 01h34m53s
Declination: +08°26'27"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.0
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 19.7"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 02h37m33s
Declination: +12°43'51"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.9
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 3.4"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 21h06m40s
Declination: -17°15'36"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.8
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 2.2"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 20h19m19s
Declination: -19°20'33"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 11912.7"
Status: Moon illumination 39.5%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 39.5%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 22h51m54s
Declination: -10°31'26"