December 2010 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

18 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 2010 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 9.3"
Status: near superior conjunction

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 18h17m37s
Declination: -22°57'41"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.8
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 34.1"
Status: near greatest eastern 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: 14h29m32s
Declination: -11°46'44"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 3.9"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 18h23m19s
Declination: -24°13'59"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.4
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 40.9"
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: 23h42m31s
Declination: -03°20'44"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.8
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 16.8"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 13h01m22s
Declination: -04°00'53"

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: 23h49m05s
Declination: -01°59'44"

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: 21h54m52s
Declination: -13°11'58"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 11554.0"
Status: Moon illumination 63.4%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 63.4%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 00h22m16s
Declination: +08°07'52"