21.

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, 01 Jan 2022 at 17:55 EDT (845 days ago) in Sagittarius

22.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars share the same right ascension, at a separation of 56'. Fri, 31 Dec 2021 at 15:13 EDT (846 days ago) in Ophiuchus

23.

Lunar occultation of Mars The Moon will pass in front of Mars, creating a lunar occultation visible from Australia. Fri, 31 Dec 2021 at 14:52 EDT (846 days ago) in Ophiuchus

24.

Close approach of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars pass close to each other. Fri, 31 Dec 2021 at 14:52 EDT (846 days ago) in Ophiuchus

25.

Conjunction of Mercury and Pluto Mercury and Pluto share the same right ascension, at a separation of 13'. Thu, 30 Dec 2021 at 09:26 EDT (847 days ago) in Sagittarius

26.

The Rosette Nebula is well placed The Rosette Nebula (C49; mag 9.0) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Wed, 29 Dec 2021 (848 days ago) in Monoceros

27.

Conjunction of Venus and Mercury Venus and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 4°13'. Tue, 28 Dec 2021 at 20:10 EDT (849 days ago) in Sagittarius

28.

The cluster NGC 2232 is well placed The open star cluster NGC 2232 (mag 4.2) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Tue, 28 Dec 2021 (849 days ago) in Monoceros

29.

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, 26 Dec 2021 at 21:24 EDT (851 days ago) in Virgo

30.

Ursid meteor shower 2021 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Wed, 22 Dec 2021 (855 days ago) in Ursa Minor

31.

Conjunction of Venus and Pluto Venus and Pluto share the same right ascension, at a separation of 2°09'. Tue, 21 Dec 2021 at 22:05 EDT (856 days ago) in Sagittarius

32.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2021 in the northern hemisphere. Tue, 21 Dec 2021 at 10:53 EDT (856 days ago) in Sagittarius

33.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2021 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sun, 19 Dec 2021 (858 days ago) in Leo Minor

34.

Full Moon The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. Sat, 18 Dec 2021 at 23:35 EDT (858 days ago) in Taurus

35.

The Moon at aphelion The Moon recedes to its orbit's furthest point from the Sun, which happens each month around the time of full moon. Sat, 18 Dec 2021 at 01:57 EDT (859 days ago) in Taurus

36.

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. Fri, 17 Dec 2021 at 21:14 EDT (860 days ago) in Taurus

37.

Comae Berenicid meteor shower 2021 The Comae Berenicid meteor shower reaches its peak. Wed, 15 Dec 2021 (861 days ago) in Leo

38.

The Orion Nebula is well placed The Orion Nebula (M42; mag 4.0) culminates at around midnight local time. Wed, 15 Dec 2021 (862 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. Wed, 15 Dec 2021 (862 days ago) in Orion

40.

Geminid meteor shower 2021 The Geminid meteor shower reaches its peak. Tue, 14 Dec 2021 (863 days ago) in Gemini