161.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2017 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Tue, 19 Dec 2017 (2,330 days ago) in Leo Minor

162.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2017 in the northern hemisphere. Thu, 21 Dec 2017 at 11:23 EDT (2,328 days ago) in Sagittarius

163.

Saturn at solar conjunction Saturn is unobservable as it passes around the far side of the Sun – marking the end of one apparition and the beginning of the next. Thu, 21 Dec 2017 at 15:59 EDT (2,328 days ago) in Sagittarius

164.

Ursid meteor shower 2017 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 (2,327 days ago) in Ursa Minor

165.

Moon at First Quarter The Moon reaches first quarter phase – appearing high in the sky at sunset and setting in the west at around midnight. Tue, 26 Dec 2017 at 04:20 EDT (2,323 days ago) in Pisces

166.

Mercury at dichotomy Mercury reaches half phase in the dawn sky. Wed, 27 Dec 2017 at 18:29 EDT (2,322 days ago) in Ophiuchus

167.

The cluster NGC 2232 is well placed The open star cluster NGC 2232 (mag 4.2) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 (2,321 days ago) in Monoceros

168.

Mercury at highest altitude in morning sky Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 (2,320 days ago) in Ophiuchus

169.

The Rosette Nebula is well placed The Rosette Nebula (C49; mag 9.0) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Fri, 29 Dec 2017 (2,320 days ago) in Monoceros

170.

Close approach of the Moon and Collinder 50 The Moon and Collinder 50 pass close to each other. Sat, 30 Dec 2017 at 16:03 EDT (2,319 days ago) in Taurus

171.

Lunar occultation of Aldebaran The Moon will pass in front of Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including Canada, Greenland, the Contiguous United States and Russia amongst others. Sat, 30 Dec 2017 at 19:35 EDT (2,319 days ago) in Taurus

172.

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. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 at 16:48 EDT (2,317 days ago) in Gemini

173.

Mercury at greatest elongation west Mercury is bright and well placed in the dawn sky. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 at 19:51 EDT (2,317 days ago) in Ophiuchus

174.

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. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 at 20:55 EDT (2,317 days ago) in Gemini

175.

Full Moon The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 at 21:24 EDT (2,317 days ago) in Gemini

176.

Uranus ends retrograde motion Uranus returns to its usual eastward motion after opposition. Tue, 02 Jan 2018 at 10:24 EDT (2,316 days ago) in Pisces

177.

Asteroid 8 Flora at opposition Asteroid 8 Flora makes closest approach to the Earth. Tue, 02 Jan 2018 at 14:10 EDT (2,316 days ago) in Gemini

178.

The cluster Messier 41 is well placed The open star cluster M41 (NGC 2287; mag 4.5) in Canis Major culminates at around midnight local time. Tue, 02 Jan 2018 (2,316 days ago) in Canis Major

179.

The Earth at perihelion The Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun. Wed, 03 Jan 2018 at 00:34 EDT (2,315 days ago) in Pisces

180.

Quadrantid meteor shower 2018 The Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak. Wed, 03 Jan 2018 (2,315 days ago) in Bootes