21.

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 (348 days ago) in Monoceros

22.

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 EST (348 days ago) in Scorpius

23.

Mercury at greatest elongation west Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Wed, 25 Dec 2024 at 02:10 EST (351 days ago) in Ophiuchus

24.

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 EST (352 days ago) in Virgo

25.

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 EST (352 days ago) in Virgo

26.

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 EST (354 days ago) in Virgo

27.

Ursid meteor shower 2024 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sun, 22 Dec 2024 (354 days ago) in Ursa Minor

28.

Mercury at highest altitude in morning sky Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Sun, 22 Dec 2024 (354 days ago) in Ophiuchus

29.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2024 in the northern hemisphere. Sat, 21 Dec 2024 at 04:20 EST (355 days ago) in Sagittarius

30.

Mercury at dichotomy Mercury reaches half phase in the dawn sky. Fri, 20 Dec 2024 at 09:51 EST (356 days ago) in Scorpius

31.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2024 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 19 Dec 2024 (357 days ago) in Leo Minor

32.

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 EST (358 days ago) in Cancer

33.

Close approach of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars pass close to each other. Wed, 18 Dec 2024 at 04:17 EST (358 days ago) in Cancer

34.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars share the same right ascension, at a separation of 54'. Wed, 18 Dec 2024 at 03:48 EST (358 days ago) in Cancer

35.

Comae Berenicid meteor shower 2024 The Comae Berenicid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sun, 15 Dec 2024 (361 days ago) in Leo

36.

Full Moon The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. Sun, 15 Dec 2024 at 04:01 EST (361 days ago) in Taurus

37.

Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri The Moon will pass in front of Beta Tauri (Elnath), creating a lunar occultation visible from Polynesia, South America, Central America and Clipperton Island. Sun, 15 Dec 2024 at 02:25 EST (361 days ago) in Taurus

38.

The Orion Nebula is well placed The Orion Nebula (M42; mag 4.0) culminates at around midnight local time. Sat, 14 Dec 2024 (362 days ago) in Orion

39.

The Running Man cluster is well placed The Running Man cluster NGC 1977 (mag 4.2) in Orion's sword culminates at around midnight local time. Sat, 14 Dec 2024 (362 days ago) in Orion

40.

Asteroid 15 Eunomia at opposition Asteroid 15 Eunomia makes closest approach to the Earth. Sat, 14 Dec 2024 at 16:34 EST (362 days ago) in Auriga