541.

Close approach of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus pass close to each other. Mon, 02 Jan 2017 at 03:21 EDT (2,752 days ago) in Aquarius

542.

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. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 (2,753 days ago) in Canis Major

543.

Close approach of Mars and Neptune Mars and Neptune pass within 1'07" of each other. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 at 01:53 EDT (2,753 days ago) in Aquarius

544.

Conjunction of Mars and Neptune Mars and Neptune share the same right ascension, at a separation of 1'14". Sun, 01 Jan 2017 at 01:37 EDT (2,753 days ago) in Aquarius

545.

The Rosette Nebula is well placed The Rosette Nebula (C49; mag 9.0) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Thu, 29 Dec 2016 (2,756 days ago) in Monoceros

546.

Uranus ends retrograde motion Uranus returns to its usual eastward motion after opposition. Thu, 29 Dec 2016 at 05:14 EDT (2,756 days ago) in Pisces

547.

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. Thu, 29 Dec 2016 at 04:07 EDT (2,756 days ago) in Sagittarius

548.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Thu, 29 Dec 2016 at 01:54 EDT (2,756 days ago) in Sagittarius

549.

The cluster NGC 2232 is well placed The open star cluster NGC 2232 (mag 4.2) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Wed, 28 Dec 2016 (2,757 days ago) in Monoceros

550.

Mercury at inferior solar conjunction Mercury passes around the near side of the Sun. Wed, 28 Dec 2016 at 13:43 EDT (2,757 days ago) in Sagittarius

551.

Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn The Moon and Saturn share the same right ascension, at a separation of 3°36'. Tue, 27 Dec 2016 at 15:41 EDT (2,758 days ago) in Ophiuchus

552.

Mercury at perihelion Mercury passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun. Sun, 25 Dec 2016 at 09:23 EDT (2,760 days ago) in Sagittarius

553.

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. Sun, 25 Dec 2016 at 00:54 EDT (2,760 days ago) in Libra

554.

Close approach of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter pass close to each other. Thu, 22 Dec 2016 at 13:12 EDT (2,763 days ago) in Virgo

555.

Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter share the same right ascension, at a separation of 2°24'. Thu, 22 Dec 2016 at 11:39 EDT (2,763 days ago) in Virgo

556.

Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova passes perihelion Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova makes its closest approach to the Sun. Thu, 22 Dec 2016 (2,763 days ago) in Capricornus

557.

Ursid meteor shower 2016 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 22 Dec 2016 (2,763 days ago) in Ursa Minor

558.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2016 in the northern hemisphere. Wed, 21 Dec 2016 at 05:41 EDT (2,764 days ago) in Sagittarius

559.

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. Tue, 20 Dec 2016 at 20:56 EDT (2,765 days ago) in Virgo

560.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2016 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Mon, 19 Dec 2016 (2,766 days ago) in Leo Minor