261.

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 (2,702 days ago) in Ophiuchus

262.

Mercury at perihelion Mercury passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun. Sun, 25 Dec 2016 at 09:23 EDT (2,704 days ago) in Sagittarius

263.

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 (2,704 days ago) in Libra

264.

Close approach of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter pass close to each other. Thu, 22 Dec 2016 at 13:12 EDT (2,707 days ago) in Virgo

265.

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 (2,707 days ago) in Virgo

266.

Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova passes perihelion Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova makes its closest approach to the Sun. Thu, 22 Dec 2016 (2,707 days ago) in Capricornus

267.

Ursid meteor shower 2016 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 22 Dec 2016 (2,707 days ago) in Ursa Minor

268.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2016 in the northern hemisphere. Wed, 21 Dec 2016 at 05:41 EDT (2,708 days ago) in Sagittarius

269.

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 (2,709 days ago) in Virgo

270.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2016 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Mon, 19 Dec 2016 (2,710 days ago) in Leo Minor

271.

Lunar occultation of Regulus The Moon will pass in front of Regulus (Alpha Leonis), creating a lunar occultation visible from Australia. Sun, 18 Dec 2016 at 13:08 EDT (2,711 days ago) in Leo

272.

The Orion Nebula is well placed The Orion Nebula (M42; mag 4.0) culminates at around midnight local time. Thu, 15 Dec 2016 (2,714 days ago) in Orion

273.

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. Thu, 15 Dec 2016 (2,714 days ago) in Orion

274.

Comae Berenicid meteor shower 2016 The Comae Berenicid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 15 Dec 2016 (2,714 days ago) in Leo

275.

Mercury at highest altitude in evening sky Mercury is bright and well placed in the evening sky. Thu, 15 Dec 2016 (2,714 days ago) in Sagittarius

276.

Mercury at dichotomy Mercury reaches half phase in the evening sky. Wed, 14 Dec 2016 at 11:47 EDT (2,715 days ago) in Sagittarius

277.

Geminid meteor shower 2016 The Geminid meteor shower reaches its peak. Tue, 13 Dec 2016 (2,715 days ago) in Gemini

278.

Full Moon The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. Tue, 13 Dec 2016 at 19:05 EDT (2,716 days ago) in Taurus

279.

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. Tue, 13 Dec 2016 at 02:17 EDT (2,716 days ago) in Taurus

280.

Lunar occultation of Aldebaran The Moon will pass in front of Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including the Contiguous United States, Canada, Mexico and Spain amongst others. Mon, 12 Dec 2016 at 23:29 EDT (2,716 days ago) in Taurus