241.

Close approach of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars pass close to each other. Wed, 18 Dec 2024 at 04:17 EDT (171 days away) in Cancer

242.

Lunar occultation of Mars The Moon will pass in front of Mars, creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including Canada, Greenland, Russia and Alaska amongst others. Wed, 18 Dec 2024 at 04:17 EDT (171 days away) in Cancer

243.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2024 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 19 Dec 2024 (172 days away) in Leo Minor

244.

Mercury at dichotomy Mercury reaches half phase in the dawn sky. Fri, 20 Dec 2024 at 09:51 EDT (173 days away) in Scorpius

245.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2024 in the northern hemisphere. Sat, 21 Dec 2024 at 04:20 EDT (174 days away) in Sagittarius

246.

Mercury at highest altitude in morning sky Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Sun, 22 Dec 2024 (175 days away) in Ophiuchus

247.

Ursid meteor shower 2024 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sun, 22 Dec 2024 (175 days away) in Ursa Minor

248.

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. Sun, 22 Dec 2024 at 17:18 EDT (175 days away) in Virgo

249.

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. Tue, 24 Dec 2024 at 02:24 EDT (177 days away) in Virgo

250.

Lunar occultation of Spica The Moon will pass in front of Spica (Alpha Virginis), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including China, Japan, North Korea and South Korea amongst others. Tue, 24 Dec 2024 at 15:20 EDT (177 days away) in Virgo

251.

Mercury at greatest elongation west Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Wed, 25 Dec 2024 at 02:10 EDT (178 days away) in Ophiuchus

252.

Lunar occultation of Antares The Moon will pass in front of Antares (Alpha Scorpii), creating a lunar occultation visible from French Polynesia. Sat, 28 Dec 2024 at 10:16 EDT (181 days away) in Scorpius

253.

The cluster NGC 2232 is well placed The open star cluster NGC 2232 (mag 4.2) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Sat, 28 Dec 2024 (181 days away) in Monoceros

254.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°23'. Sat, 28 Dec 2024 at 23:24 EDT (182 days away) in Ophiuchus

255.

The Rosette Nebula is well placed The Rosette Nebula (C49; mag 9.0) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Sun, 29 Dec 2024 (182 days away) in Monoceros

256.

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, 30 Dec 2024 at 16:06 EDT (183 days away) in Sagittarius

257.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Mon, 30 Dec 2024 at 17:28 EDT (183 days away) in Sagittarius

258.

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, 01 Jan 2025 (185 days away) in Canis Major

259.

Asteroid 14 Irene at opposition Asteroid 14 Irene makes closest approach to the Earth. Thu, 02 Jan 2025 at 23:46 EDT (187 days away) in Gemini

260.

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus share the same right ascension, at a separation of 1°26'. Fri, 03 Jan 2025 at 10:23 EDT (187 days away) in Aquarius