December 2042 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

27 sky events total, including 4 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 2042 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.5
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 6.4"
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: 18h58m45s
Declination: -24°46'44"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.7
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 29.7"
Status: near greatest eastern 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: 14h23m02s
Declination: -11°14'58"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 4.0"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 18h39m14s
Declination: -24°06'10"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.8
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 31.3"
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: 16h55m54s
Declination: -22°06'42"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.7
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 15.7"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 14h50m13s
Declination: -14°01'41"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.5
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 3.9"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 09h19m33s
Declination: +16°20'02"

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: 02h24m23s
Declination: +12°25'08"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 11941.5"
Status: Moon illumination 6.0%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 6.0%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 19h34m25s
Declination: -26°44'15"