December 2000 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

22 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 2000 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.9
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: 17h04m33s
Declination: -23°27'46"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.2
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 18.0"
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: 20h42m55s
Declination: -20°29'24"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.5
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 4.8"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 13h34m06s
Declination: -08°25'45"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.8
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 48.1"
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: 04h08m25s
Declination: +20°04'47"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.2
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 20.2"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Saturn’s rings require a telescope to see clearly

Right ascension: 03h35m04s
Declination: +16°56'55"

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: 21h22m14s
Declination: -16°07'13"

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: 20h28m16s
Declination: -18°54'09"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 12786.1"
Status: Moon illumination 82.1%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 82.1%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 09h06m29s
Declination: +19°09'01"