281.

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 (891 days ago) in Orion

282.

The Orion Nebula is well placed The Orion Nebula (M42; mag 4.0) culminates at around midnight local time. Wed, 15 Dec 2021 (891 days ago) in Orion

283.

Comae Berenicid meteor shower 2021 The Comae Berenicid meteor shower reaches its peak. Wed, 15 Dec 2021 (890 days ago) in Leo

284.

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 (889 days ago) in Taurus

285.

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 (888 days ago) in Taurus

286.

Full Moon The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. Sat, 18 Dec 2021 at 23:35 EDT (887 days ago) in Taurus

287.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2021 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sun, 19 Dec 2021 (887 days ago) in Leo Minor

288.

December solstice 21 December will be the shortest day of 2021 in the northern hemisphere. Tue, 21 Dec 2021 at 10:53 EDT (885 days ago) in Sagittarius

289.

Conjunction of Venus and Pluto Venus and Pluto share the same right ascension, at a separation of 2°09'. Tue, 21 Dec 2021 at 21:55 EDT (885 days ago) in Sagittarius

290.

Ursid meteor shower 2021 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Wed, 22 Dec 2021 (884 days ago) in Ursa Minor

291.

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 (880 days ago) in Virgo

292.

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 (878 days ago) in Monoceros

293.

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 (878 days ago) in Sagittarius

294.

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 (877 days ago) in Monoceros

295.

Conjunction of Mercury and Pluto Mercury and Pluto share the same right ascension, at a separation of 13'. Thu, 30 Dec 2021 at 09:27 EDT (876 days ago) in Sagittarius

296.

Close approach of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars pass close to each other. Fri, 31 Dec 2021 at 14:52 EDT (875 days ago) in Ophiuchus

297.

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 (875 days ago) in Ophiuchus

298.

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 (875 days ago) in Ophiuchus

299.

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 (874 days ago) in Sagittarius

300.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Sun, 02 Jan 2022 at 13:34 EDT (873 days ago) in Sagittarius