561.

Mercury at perihelion Mercury passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun. Sun, 25 Dec 2016 at 09:23 EDT (2,761 days ago) in Sagittarius

562.

The Moon at apogee The Moon recedes to its orbit's furthest point from the Earth, making it appear fractionally smaller than at other times of the month. Sun, 25 Dec 2016 at 00:54 EDT (2,761 days ago) in Libra

563.

Close approach of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter pass close to each other. Thu, 22 Dec 2016 at 13:12 EDT (2,764 days ago) in Virgo

564.

Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter share the same right ascension, at a separation of 2°24'. Thu, 22 Dec 2016 at 11:39 EDT (2,764 days ago) in Virgo

565.

Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova passes perihelion Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova makes its closest approach to the Sun. Thu, 22 Dec 2016 (2,764 days ago) in Capricornus

566.

Ursid meteor shower 2016 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 22 Dec 2016 (2,764 days ago) in Ursa Minor

567.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2016 in the northern hemisphere. Wed, 21 Dec 2016 at 05:41 EDT (2,765 days ago) in Sagittarius

568.

Moon at Last Quarter The Moon reaches last quarter phase – rising in the east at around midnight and appearing high in the sky by sunrise. Tue, 20 Dec 2016 at 20:56 EDT (2,766 days ago) in Virgo

569.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2016 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Mon, 19 Dec 2016 (2,767 days ago) in Leo Minor

570.

Lunar occultation of Regulus The Moon will pass in front of Regulus (Alpha Leonis), creating a lunar occultation visible from Australia. Sun, 18 Dec 2016 at 13:08 EDT (2,768 days ago) in Leo

571.

The Orion Nebula is well placed The Orion Nebula (M42; mag 4.0) culminates at around midnight local time. Thu, 15 Dec 2016 (2,771 days ago) in Orion

572.

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. Thu, 15 Dec 2016 (2,771 days ago) in Orion

573.

Comae Berenicid meteor shower 2016 The Comae Berenicid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 15 Dec 2016 (2,771 days ago) in Leo

574.

Mercury at highest altitude in evening sky Mercury is bright and well placed in the evening sky. Thu, 15 Dec 2016 (2,771 days ago) in Sagittarius

575.

Mercury at dichotomy Mercury reaches half phase in the evening sky. Wed, 14 Dec 2016 at 11:47 EDT (2,772 days ago) in Sagittarius

576.

Geminid meteor shower 2016 The Geminid meteor shower reaches its peak. Tue, 13 Dec 2016 (2,772 days ago) in Gemini

577.

Full Moon The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. Tue, 13 Dec 2016 at 19:05 EDT (2,773 days ago) in Taurus

578.

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. Tue, 13 Dec 2016 at 02:17 EDT (2,773 days ago) in Taurus

579.

Lunar occultation of Aldebaran The Moon will pass in front of Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including the Contiguous United States, Canada, Mexico and Spain amongst others. Mon, 12 Dec 2016 at 23:29 EDT (2,773 days ago) in Taurus

580.

Close approach of the Moon and Collinder 50 The Moon and Collinder 50 pass close to each other. Mon, 12 Dec 2016 at 20:00 EDT (2,774 days ago) in Taurus