December 2006 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

23 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 0 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 2006 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.7
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 5.0"
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: 16h34m11s
Declination: -21°40'08"

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: 18h20m44s
Declination: -24°11'27"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 3.8"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 16h17m19s
Declination: -21°28'10"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.7
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 31.3"
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: 16h11m03s
Declination: -20°21'59"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.3
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 19.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 09h50m42s
Declination: +14°16'14"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.9
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 3.5"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 22h51m18s
Declination: -08°07'22"

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: 21h20m35s
Declination: -15°45'36"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 11531.5"
Status: Moon illumination 28.3%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 28.3%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 13h05m21s
Declination: -09°30'45"