261.

Ursid meteor shower 2017 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 (2,399 days ago) in Ursa Minor

262.

Saturn at solar conjunction Saturn is unobservable as it passes around the far side of the Sun – marking the end of one apparition and the beginning of the next. Thu, 21 Dec 2017 at 15:59 EDT (2,400 days ago) in Sagittarius

263.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2017 in the northern hemisphere. Thu, 21 Dec 2017 at 11:23 EDT (2,400 days ago) in Sagittarius

264.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2017 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Tue, 19 Dec 2017 (2,402 days ago) in Leo Minor

265.

The Moon at perihelion The Moon passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun, which happens each month around the time of new moon. Mon, 18 Dec 2017 at 21:39 EDT (2,403 days ago) in Sagittarius

266.

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. Mon, 18 Dec 2017 at 20:25 EDT (2,403 days ago) in Sagittarius

267.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Mon, 18 Dec 2017 at 01:31 EDT (2,403 days ago) in Sagittarius

268.

Asteroid 20 Massalia at opposition Asteroid 20 Massalia makes closest approach to the Earth. Fri, 15 Dec 2017 at 21:22 EDT (2,406 days ago) in Taurus

269.

Comae Berenicid meteor shower 2017 The Comae Berenicid meteor shower reaches its peak. Fri, 15 Dec 2017 (2,405 days ago) in Leo

270.

The Orion Nebula is well placed The Orion Nebula (M42; mag 4.0) culminates at around midnight local time. Fri, 15 Dec 2017 (2,406 days ago) in Orion

271.

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. Fri, 15 Dec 2017 (2,406 days ago) in Orion

272.

Close approach of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter pass close to each other. Thu, 14 Dec 2017 at 11:56 EDT (2,407 days ago) in Libra

273.

Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter share the same right ascension, at a separation of 4°14'. Thu, 14 Dec 2017 at 09:26 EDT (2,407 days ago) in Libra

274.

Geminid meteor shower 2017 The Geminid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 14 Dec 2017 (2,407 days ago) in Gemini

275.

Close approach of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars pass close to each other. Wed, 13 Dec 2017 at 14:12 EDT (2,408 days ago) in Virgo

276.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars share the same right ascension, at a separation of 4°09'. Wed, 13 Dec 2017 at 11:27 EDT (2,408 days ago) in Virgo

277.

Mercury at inferior solar conjunction Mercury passes around the near side of the Sun. Tue, 12 Dec 2017 at 20:45 EDT (2,409 days ago) in Ophiuchus

278.

The Large Magellanic Cloud is well placed The Milky Way's dwarf companion, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC; mag 0.9), in Dorado culminates at around midnight local time. Tue, 12 Dec 2017 (2,409 days ago) in Dorado

279.

Mercury at perihelion Mercury passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun. Tue, 12 Dec 2017 at 06:27 EDT (2,409 days ago) in Ophiuchus

280.

σ-Hydrid meteor shower 2017 The σ-Hydrid meteor shower reaches its peak. Mon, 11 Dec 2017 (2,409 days ago) in Hydra