281.

Close approach of the Moon and Saturn The Moon and Saturn pass close to each other. Sat, 04 Jan 2025 at 11:51 EDT (525 days ago) in Aquarius

282.

The Earth at perihelion The Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun. Sat, 04 Jan 2025 at 08:28 EDT (525 days ago) in Pisces

283.

Close approach of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus pass close to each other. Fri, 03 Jan 2025 at 11:32 EDT (526 days ago) in Aquarius

284.

Quadrantid meteor shower 2025 The Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak. Fri, 03 Jan 2025 (526 days ago) in Bootes

285.

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 (526 days ago) in Aquarius

286.

Asteroid 14 Irene at opposition Asteroid 14 Irene makes closest approach to the Earth. Thu, 02 Jan 2025 at 21:22 EDT (527 days ago) in Gemini

287.

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 (528 days ago) in Canis Major

288.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Mon, 30 Dec 2024 at 17:28 EDT (530 days ago) in Sagittarius

289.

The Moon at perihelion The Moon passes its closest point to the Sun, a monthly occurrence around the time of new moon. Mon, 30 Dec 2024 at 16:06 EDT (530 days ago) in Sagittarius

290.

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 (531 days ago) in Monoceros

291.

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 (531 days ago) in Ophiuchus

292.

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 (532 days ago) in Monoceros

293.

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 (532 days ago) in Scorpius

294.

Mercury at greatest elongation west Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Wed, 25 Dec 2024 at 02:10 EDT (535 days ago) in Ophiuchus

295.

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 (536 days ago) in Virgo

296.

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 (536 days ago) in Virgo

297.

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 (538 days ago) in Virgo

298.

Ursid meteor shower 2024 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sun, 22 Dec 2024 (538 days ago) in Ursa Minor

299.

Mercury at highest altitude in morning sky Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Sun, 22 Dec 2024 (538 days ago) in Ophiuchus

300.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2024 in the northern hemisphere. Sat, 21 Dec 2024 at 04:20 EDT (539 days ago) in Sagittarius