December 2023 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

26 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 2023 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.7
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 8.7"
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: 18h35m53s
Declination: -23°30'02"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.1
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 15.6"
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: 14h41m30s
Declination: -13°19'15"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.4
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: 16h53m53s
Declination: -22°57'15"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.7
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 46.3"
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: 02h16m34s
Declination: +12°19'50"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.9
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 16.5"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 22h18m05s
Declination: -12°20'26"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.7
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 3.8"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 03h09m58s
Declination: +17°24'02"

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: 23h43m17s
Declination: -03°10'03"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 12592.6"
Status: Moon illumination 5.5%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 5.5%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 19h26m35s
Declination: -27°03'21"