481.

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. Wed, 18 Dec 2019 at 15:25 EDT (1,608 days ago) in Leo

482.

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. Wed, 18 Dec 2019 at 23:57 EDT (1,607 days ago) in Virgo

483.

December Leonis Minorid meteor shower 2019 The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Fri, 20 Dec 2019 (1,606 days ago) in Leo Minor

484.

December solstice 22 December will be the shortest day of 2019 in the northern hemisphere. Sat, 21 Dec 2019 at 23:12 EDT (1,604 days ago) in Sagittarius

485.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars share the same right ascension, at a separation of 3°31'. Sun, 22 Dec 2019 at 20:48 EDT (1,604 days ago) in Libra

486.

Ursid meteor shower 2019 The Ursid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sun, 22 Dec 2019 (1,603 days ago) in Ursa Minor

487.

Close approach of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars pass close to each other. Sun, 22 Dec 2019 at 22:51 EDT (1,604 days ago) in Libra

488.

Jupiter at apogee Jupiter reaches its furthest point from the Earth, as it passes around the far side of the Sun. Wed, 25 Dec 2019 at 16:56 EDT (1,601 days ago) in Sagittarius

489.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Thu, 26 Dec 2019 at 00:14 EDT (1,600 days ago) in Sagittarius

490.

Annular solar eclipse There will be an eclipse of the Sun, visible from Asia. Thu, 26 Dec 2019 at 00:17 EDT (1,600 days ago) in Sagittarius

491.

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. Thu, 26 Dec 2019 at 14:57 EDT (1,600 days ago) in Sagittarius

492.

Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn The Moon and Saturn share the same right ascension, at a separation of 1°12'. Fri, 27 Dec 2019 at 06:48 EDT (1,599 days ago) in Sagittarius

493.

Jupiter at solar conjunction Jupiter is unobservable as it passes around the far side of the Sun – marking the end of one apparition and the beginning of the next. Fri, 27 Dec 2019 at 13:14 EDT (1,599 days ago) in Sagittarius

494.

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus share the same right ascension, at a separation of 59'. Sat, 28 Dec 2019 at 20:32 EDT (1,598 days ago) in Capricornus

495.

Close approach of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus pass close to each other. Sat, 28 Dec 2019 at 20:56 EDT (1,598 days ago) in Capricornus

496.

Lunar occultation of Venus The Moon will pass in front of Venus, creating a lunar occultation visible from Antarctica. Sat, 28 Dec 2019 at 20:56 EDT (1,598 days ago) in Capricornus

497.

The cluster NGC 2232 is well placed The open star cluster NGC 2232 (mag 4.2) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Sun, 29 Dec 2019 (1,597 days ago) in Monoceros

498.

Mercury at aphelion Mercury passes the furthest point along its orbit from the Sun. Mon, 30 Dec 2019 at 00:25 EDT (1,596 days ago) in Sagittarius

499.

The Rosette Nebula is well placed The Rosette Nebula (C49; mag 9.0) in Monoceros culminates at around midnight local time. Mon, 30 Dec 2019 (1,596 days ago) in Monoceros

500.

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. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 at 20:30 EDT (1,594 days ago) in Pisces