December 2015 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

21 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 2015 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.7
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 5.3"
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: 18h33m10s
Declination: -25°29'24"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.1
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 15.8"
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: 14h39m35s
Declination: -13°08'24"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.4
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 5.1"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 13h12m08s
Declination: -06°02'26"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.0
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 37.1"
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: 11h33m37s
Declination: +04°06'53"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 15.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 16h31m10s
Declination: -20°13'04"

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: 01h02m13s
Declination: +05°55'57"

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: 22h36m54s
Declination: -09°36'02"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 12272.7"
Status: Moon illumination 13.9%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 13.9%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 20h30m23s
Declination: -14°58'02"