481.

Venus at perihelion Venus passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun. Wed, 26 Dec 2018 at 08:33 EDT (2,030 days ago) in Libra

482.

Close approach of the Moon and M44 The Moon and M44 pass close to each other. Tue, 25 Dec 2018 at 00:17 EDT (2,031 days ago) in Cancer

483.

The Moon at perigee The Moon makes its monthly closest approach to the Earth, making it appear fractionally larger than at other times of the month. Mon, 24 Dec 2018 at 04:49 EDT (2,032 days ago) in Gemini

484.

Ursid meteor shower 2018 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sat, 22 Dec 2018 (2,034 days ago) in Ursa Minor

485.

Full Moon The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. Sat, 22 Dec 2018 at 12:48 EDT (2,034 days ago) in Orion

486.

The Moon at aphelion The Moon recedes to its orbit's furthest point from the Sun, which happens each month around the time of full moon. Fri, 21 Dec 2018 at 21:21 EDT (2,035 days ago) in Taurus

487.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2018 in the northern hemisphere. Fri, 21 Dec 2018 at 17:16 EDT (2,035 days ago) in Sagittarius

488.

Conjunction of Jupiter and Mercury Jupiter and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 52'. Fri, 21 Dec 2018 at 09:40 EDT (2,035 days ago) in Ophiuchus

489.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2018 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 20 Dec 2018 (2,036 days ago) in Leo Minor

490.

Comae Berenicid meteor shower 2018 The Comae Berenicid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sun, 16 Dec 2018 (2,040 days ago) in Leo

491.

The Orion Nebula is well placed The Orion Nebula (M42; mag 4.0) culminates at around midnight local time. Sat, 15 Dec 2018 (2,041 days ago) in Orion

492.

The Running Man cluster is well placed The Running Man cluster NGC 1977 (mag 4.2) in Orion's sword culminates at around midnight local time. Sat, 15 Dec 2018 (2,041 days ago) in Orion

493.

Mercury at greatest elongation west Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Sat, 15 Dec 2018 at 10:27 EDT (2,041 days ago) in Scorpius

494.

Moon at First Quarter The Moon reaches first quarter phase – appearing high in the sky at sunset and setting in the west at around midnight. Sat, 15 Dec 2018 at 06:49 EDT (2,041 days ago) in Aquarius

495.

Close approach of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars pass close to each other. Fri, 14 Dec 2018 at 20:51 EDT (2,042 days ago) in Aquarius

496.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars share the same right ascension, at a separation of 3°33'. Fri, 14 Dec 2018 at 18:21 EDT (2,042 days ago) in Aquarius

497.

Geminid meteor shower 2018 The Geminid meteor shower reaches its peak. Fri, 14 Dec 2018 (2,042 days ago) in Gemini

498.

Comet 46P/Wirtanen passes perigee Comet 46P/Wirtanen makes its closest approach to the Earth. Fri, 14 Dec 2018 (2,042 days ago) in Taurus

499.

Comet 46P/Wirtanen reaches peak brightness Comet 46P/Wirtanen is forecast to reach the brightest point in its 2018 apparition. Fri, 14 Dec 2018 (2,042 days ago) in Taurus

500.

Mercury at highest altitude in morning sky Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Thu, 13 Dec 2018 (2,043 days ago) in Scorpius