481.

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 17:25 PDT (2,378 days ago) in Sagittarius

482.

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 18:39 PDT (2,378 days ago) in Sagittarius

483.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2017 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Tue, 19 Dec 2017 (2,377 days ago) in Leo Minor

484.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2017 in the northern hemisphere. Thu, 21 Dec 2017 at 08:23 PDT (2,375 days ago) in Sagittarius

485.

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 12:59 PDT (2,375 days ago) in Sagittarius

486.

Ursid meteor shower 2017 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 (2,374 days ago) in Ursa Minor

487.

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 01:20 PDT (2,370 days ago) in Pisces

488.

Mercury at dichotomy Mercury reaches half phase in the dawn sky. Wed, 27 Dec 2017 at 15:29 PDT (2,369 days ago) in Ophiuchus

489.

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 (2,368 days ago) in Monoceros

490.

Mercury at highest altitude in morning sky Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 (2,367 days ago) in Ophiuchus

491.

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 (2,367 days ago) in Monoceros

492.

Close approach of the Moon and Collinder 50 The Moon and Collinder 50 pass close to each other. Sat, 30 Dec 2017 at 13:03 PDT (2,366 days ago) in Taurus

493.

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 16:35 PDT (2,366 days ago) in Taurus