601.

Asteroid 5 Astraea at opposition Asteroid 5 Astraea makes closest approach to the Earth. Wed, 27 Dec 2023 at 21:22 EDT (203 days ago) in Orion

602.

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, 29 Dec 2023 (201 days ago) in Monoceros

603.

The Rosette Nebula is well placed The Rosette Nebula (C49; mag 9.0) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Sat, 30 Dec 2023 (200 days ago) in Monoceros

604.

Jupiter ends retrograde motion Jupiter returns to its usual eastward motion after opposition. Sat, 30 Dec 2023 at 21:41 EDT (200 days ago) in Aries

605.

Comet 62P/Tsuchinshan reaches peak brightness Comet 62P/Tsuchinshan is forecast to reach the brightest point in its 2023 apparition. Sun, 31 Dec 2023 (199 days ago) in Leo

606.

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, 01 Jan 2024 at 10:28 EDT (198 days ago) in Leo

607.

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. Tue, 02 Jan 2024 (197 days ago) in Canis Major

608.

The Earth at perihelion The Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun. Tue, 02 Jan 2024 at 19:38 EDT (197 days ago) in Pisces

609.

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. Wed, 03 Jan 2024 at 22:31 EDT (196 days ago) in Virgo

610.

Quadrantid meteor shower 2024 The Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 04 Jan 2024 (195 days ago) in Bootes

611.

Mercury at dichotomy Mercury reaches half phase in the dawn sky. Sun, 07 Jan 2024 at 03:06 EDT (192 days ago) in Ophiuchus

612.

Lunar occultation of Antares The Moon will pass in front of Antares (Alpha Scorpii), creating a lunar occultation visible from the Contiguous United States and Mexico. Mon, 08 Jan 2024 at 10:17 EDT (191 days ago) in Scorpius

613.

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus share the same right ascension, at a separation of 5°42'. Mon, 08 Jan 2024 at 15:12 EDT (191 days ago) in Ophiuchus

614.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°35'. Tue, 09 Jan 2024 at 13:49 EDT (190 days ago) in Ophiuchus

615.

Mercury at highest altitude in morning sky Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Tue, 09 Jan 2024 (190 days ago) in Sagittarius

616.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars share the same right ascension, at a separation of 4°09'. Wed, 10 Jan 2024 at 03:32 EDT (189 days ago) in Sagittarius

617.

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. Wed, 10 Jan 2024 at 20:32 EDT (189 days ago) in Sagittarius

618.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Thu, 11 Jan 2024 at 06:58 EDT (188 days ago) in Sagittarius

619.

Mercury at greatest elongation west Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Fri, 12 Jan 2024 at 14:18 EDT (187 days ago) in Sagittarius

620.

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. Sat, 13 Jan 2024 at 05:35 EDT (186 days ago) in Capricornus