December 2008 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

24 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 2008 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.8
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 4.9"
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: 18h17m51s
Declination: -25°29'39"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.2
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 18.3"
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: 20h44m37s
Declination: -20°23'20"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.2
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: 17h19m56s
Declination: -23°40'09"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.0
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 33.2"
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: 19h48m32s
Declination: -21°29'46"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.9
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 17.9"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 11h31m55s
Declination: +05°10'42"

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: 23h20m15s
Declination: -05°06'26"

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: 21h37m50s
Declination: -14°31'02"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 12894.2"
Status: Moon illumination 92.1%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 92.1%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 07h53m14s
Declination: +22°10'23"