December 2040 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 2040 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.3
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 4.6"
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: 17h33m16s
Declination: -24°36'52"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.3
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 19.9"
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: 20h50m32s
Declination: -20°00'44"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.2
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 3.8"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h35m04s
Declination: -23°56'46"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.8
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 33.3"
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: 13h39m27s
Declination: -09°03'11"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.8
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 16.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 13h26m31s
Declination: -06°32'16"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.5
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 4.0"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 08h40m46s
Declination: +18°58'13"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.7
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 2.3"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 02h06m43s
Declination: +10°55'25"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 11975.1"
Status: Moon illumination 88.1%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 88.1%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 02h44m20s
Declination: +14°49'39"