481.

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 (2,402 days ago) in Sagittarius

482.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2017 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Tue, 19 Dec 2017 (2,401 days ago) in Leo Minor

483.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2017 in the northern hemisphere. Thu, 21 Dec 2017 at 11:23 EDT (2,399 days ago) in Sagittarius

484.

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 (2,399 days ago) in Sagittarius

485.

Ursid meteor shower 2017 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 (2,398 days ago) in Ursa Minor

486.

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. Tue, 26 Dec 2017 at 04:20 EDT (2,394 days ago) in Pisces

487.

Mercury at dichotomy Mercury reaches half phase in the dawn sky. Wed, 27 Dec 2017 at 18:29 EDT (2,393 days ago) in Ophiuchus

488.

The cluster NGC 2232 is well placed The open star cluster NGC 2232 (mag 4.2) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 (2,392 days ago) in Monoceros

489.

Mercury at highest altitude in morning sky Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 (2,391 days ago) in Ophiuchus

490.

The Rosette Nebula is well placed The Rosette Nebula (C49; mag 9.0) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Fri, 29 Dec 2017 (2,391 days ago) in Monoceros

491.

Close approach of the Moon and Collinder 50 The Moon and Collinder 50 pass close to each other. Sat, 30 Dec 2017 at 16:03 EDT (2,390 days ago) in Taurus

492.

Lunar occultation of Aldebaran The Moon will pass in front of Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including Canada, Greenland, the Contiguous United States and Russia amongst others. Sat, 30 Dec 2017 at 19:35 EDT (2,390 days ago) in Taurus