December 2014 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

19 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 2014 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.0
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: 17h44m55s
Declination: -25°00'28"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 10.1"
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: 18h23m41s
Declination: -24°11'33"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.1
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 5.0"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 20h42m06s
Declination: -19°33'46"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.3
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 41.5"
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: 09h40m43s
Declination: +14°44'06"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.6
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 15.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 15h49m03s
Declination: -18°04'20"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.8
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 3.6"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 00h47m22s
Declination: +04°21'14"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.8
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 2.3"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: A telescope is required; A telescope is required; Neptune appears blue-green

Right ascension: 22h28m34s
Declination: -10°20'57"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 11577.7"
Status: Moon illumination 45.7%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 45.7%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 11h49m55s
Declination: -00°42'18"