561.

The Earth at perihelion The Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun. Thu, 03 Jan 2019 at 00:19 EDT (2,018 days ago) in Pisces

562.

The cluster Messier 41 is well placed The open star cluster M41 (NGC 2287; mag 4.5) in Canis Major culminates at around midnight local time. Wed, 02 Jan 2019 (2,019 days ago) in Canis Major

563.

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. Wed, 02 Jan 2019 at 00:40 EDT (2,019 days ago) in Sagittarius

564.

Close approach of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus pass close to each other. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 at 17:33 EDT (2,020 days ago) in Libra

565.

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus share the same right ascension, at a separation of 1°16'. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 at 16:48 EDT (2,020 days ago) in Libra

566.

The Rosette Nebula is well placed The Rosette Nebula (C49; mag 9.0) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Sat, 29 Dec 2018 (2,023 days ago) in Monoceros

567.

Conjunction of Venus and Ceres Venus and Ceres share the same right ascension, at a separation of 3°02'. Sat, 29 Dec 2018 at 13:08 EDT (2,023 days ago) in Libra

568.

Asteroid 6 Hebe at opposition Asteroid 6 Hebe makes closest approach to the Earth. Sat, 29 Dec 2018 at 11:46 EDT (2,023 days ago) in Monoceros

569.

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. Sat, 29 Dec 2018 at 04:34 EDT (2,023 days ago) in Virgo

570.

The cluster NGC 2232 is well placed The open star cluster NGC 2232 (mag 4.2) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Fri, 28 Dec 2018 (2,024 days ago) in Monoceros

571.

Venus at perihelion Venus passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun. Wed, 26 Dec 2018 at 08:33 EDT (2,026 days ago) in Libra

572.

Close approach of the Moon and M44 The Moon and M44 pass close to each other. Tue, 25 Dec 2018 at 00:17 EDT (2,027 days ago) in Cancer

573.

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 (2,028 days ago) in Gemini

574.

Ursid meteor shower 2018 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sat, 22 Dec 2018 (2,030 days ago) in Ursa Minor

575.

Full Moon The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. Sat, 22 Dec 2018 at 12:48 EDT (2,030 days ago) in Orion

576.

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 (2,031 days ago) in Taurus

577.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2018 in the northern hemisphere. Fri, 21 Dec 2018 at 17:16 EDT (2,031 days ago) in Sagittarius

578.

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 (2,031 days ago) in Ophiuchus

579.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2018 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 20 Dec 2018 (2,032 days ago) in Leo Minor

580.

Comae Berenicid meteor shower 2018 The Comae Berenicid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sun, 16 Dec 2018 (2,036 days ago) in Leo