December 2024 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

26 sky events total, including 5 moon phases and 3 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 2024 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.4
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 8.5"
Status: near greatest eastern elongation

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

Right ascension: 16h20m27s
Declination: -18°34'02"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.3
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 19.1"
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: 20h47m43s
Declination: -20°11'43"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.8
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 12.9"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 08h35m47s
Declination: +21°55'47"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.8
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 48.1"
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: 04h56m26s
Declination: +21°58'42"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.0
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 17.0"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 23h02m07s
Declination: -08°22'15"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.6
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 3.8"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 03h27m21s
Declination: +18°33'25"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.7
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: 23h51m35s
Declination: -02°19'27"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 12603.1"
Status: Moon illumination 99.6%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 99.6%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 05h08m03s
Declination: +27°46'15"