December 2007 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

27 sky events total, including 5 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 2007 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.3
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 4.6"
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: 17h21m06s
Declination: -24°15'35"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.1
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 16.1"
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: 14h37m41s
Declination: -12°58'04"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.6
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 15.8"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 06h28m41s
Declination: +26°18'24"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.8
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 31.6"
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: 17h56m10s
Declination: -23°14'31"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.6
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 18.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 10h43m09s
Declination: +09°51'36"

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: 23h05m46s
Declination: -06°38'02"

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: 21h29m11s
Declination: -15°09'12"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 12036.6"
Status: Moon illumination 25.2%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 25.2%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 21h41m30s
Declination: -14°30'38"