281.

Comet 81P/Wild passes perihelion Comet 81P/Wild makes its closest approach to the Sun. Thu, 15 Dec 2022 (521 days ago) in Virgo

282.

The Orion Nebula is well placed The Orion Nebula (M42; mag 4.0) culminates at around midnight local time. Thu, 15 Dec 2022 (521 days ago) in Orion

283.

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 2022 (521 days ago) in Orion

284.

Comae Berenicid meteor shower 2022 The Comae Berenicid meteor shower reaches its peak. Fri, 16 Dec 2022 (520 days ago) in Leo

285.

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. Fri, 16 Dec 2022 at 03:56 EDT (520 days ago) in Virgo

286.

Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) passes perihelion Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) makes its closest approach to the Sun. Mon, 19 Dec 2022 (517 days ago) in Pavo

287.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2022 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Tue, 20 Dec 2022 (516 days ago) in Leo Minor

288.

Lunar occultation of Delta Scorpii The Moon will pass in front of Delta Scorpii (Dschubba), creating a lunar occultation visible from the Americas. Wed, 21 Dec 2022 at 07:02 EDT (515 days ago) in Scorpius

289.

Mercury at greatest elongation east Mercury is bright and well placed in the evening sky. Wed, 21 Dec 2022 at 13:47 EDT (515 days ago) in Sagittarius

290.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2022 in the northern hemisphere. Wed, 21 Dec 2022 at 16:43 EDT (515 days ago) in Sagittarius

291.

Ursid meteor shower 2022 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 22 Dec 2022 (514 days ago) in Ursa Minor

292.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Fri, 23 Dec 2022 at 05:17 EDT (513 days ago) in Sagittarius

293.

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. Fri, 23 Dec 2022 at 13:15 EDT (513 days ago) in Sagittarius

294.

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, 24 Dec 2022 at 03:26 EDT (512 days ago) in Sagittarius

295.

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus share the same right ascension, at a separation of 3°28'. Sat, 24 Dec 2022 at 06:29 EDT (512 days ago) in Sagittarius

296.

Mercury at dichotomy Mercury reaches half phase in the evening sky. Sat, 24 Dec 2022 at 10:18 EDT (512 days ago) in Sagittarius

297.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 3°45'. Sat, 24 Dec 2022 at 13:31 EDT (512 days ago) in Sagittarius

298.

Mercury at highest altitude in evening sky Mercury is bright and well placed in the evening sky. Sat, 24 Dec 2022 (512 days ago) in Sagittarius

299.

A parade of 7 planets in the evening sky All seven planets will be above the horizon at the same time. Sat, 24 Dec 2022 (512 days ago) in Sagittarius

300.

Venus at aphelion Venus passes the furthest point along its orbit from the Sun. Sun, 25 Dec 2022 at 18:05 EDT (511 days ago) in Sagittarius