41.

The Orion Nebula is well placed The Orion Nebula (M42; mag 4.0) culminates at around midnight local time. Wed, 15 Dec 2021 (857 days ago) in Orion

42.

Comae Berenicid meteor shower 2021 The Comae Berenicid meteor shower reaches its peak. Wed, 15 Dec 2021 (856 days ago) in Leo

43.

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 (855 days ago) in Taurus

44.

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 (854 days ago) in Taurus

45.

Full Moon The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. Sat, 18 Dec 2021 at 23:35 EDT (853 days ago) in Taurus

46.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2021 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sun, 19 Dec 2021 (853 days ago) in Leo Minor

47.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2021 in the northern hemisphere. Tue, 21 Dec 2021 at 10:53 EDT (851 days ago) in Sagittarius

48.

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 (851 days ago) in Sagittarius

49.

Ursid meteor shower 2021 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Wed, 22 Dec 2021 (850 days ago) in Ursa Minor

50.

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 (846 days ago) in Virgo

51.

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 (844 days ago) in Monoceros

52.

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 (844 days ago) in Sagittarius

53.

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 (843 days ago) in Monoceros

54.

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 (842 days ago) in Sagittarius

55.

Close approach of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars pass close to each other. Fri, 31 Dec 2021 at 14:52 EDT (841 days ago) in Ophiuchus

56.

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 (841 days ago) in Ophiuchus

57.

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 (841 days ago) in Ophiuchus

58.

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 (840 days ago) in Sagittarius

59.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Sun, 02 Jan 2022 at 13:34 EDT (839 days ago) in Sagittarius

60.

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. Sun, 02 Jan 2022 at 15:54 EDT (839 days ago) in Sagittarius