December 2001 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

27 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 2 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 2001 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.9
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 4.7"
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: 17h54m12s
Declination: -25°13'01"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 9.9"
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: 16h58m18s
Declination: -22°24'20"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 6.8"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 22h26m48s
Declination: -10°51'50"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.7
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 46.6"
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: 06h55m59s
Declination: +22°46'39"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.4
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 20.5"
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: 04h36m56s
Declination: +20°11'44"

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: 21h37m26s
Declination: -14°55'35"

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: 20h37m03s
Declination: -18°26'34"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 12057.6"
Status: Moon illumination 0.0%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 0.0%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 17h36m52s
Declination: -23°06'19"