CALENDAR OF ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS
2018
BRISTOL EDITION
ABOUT THIS CALENDAR
This calendar’s purpose is to help find suitable time for successful stargazing sessions. Since the best time to go stargazing is when there is no bright moon and when the sun has set, the calendar shows Moon phases and the timeframes when sky will be dark enough for observing for each day of the year. The calendar also contains notable celestial events such as meteor showers or planet oppositions, which can serve as interesting observing targets.
NEW MOON FULL MOON PLANET METEOR SHOWER SOLSTICE ECLIPSE EQUINOX
JANUARY MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
×
×
17:38—18:14
17:39—19:30
17:40—20:47
17:41—22:02
17:42—23:16
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
17:43—1:48
17:44—2:57
17:45—4:04
17:46—5:18
17:48—6:20
17:49—6:51
17:50—6:50
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
17:51—6:49
17:53—6:49
17:54—6:48
17:58—6:47
17:57—6:46
19:03—6:46
20:13—6:45
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
21:25—6:56
22:40—6:56
1:15—6:56
2:32—6:57
3:49—6:55
5:02—06:54
6:07—6:54
29
30
31
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
×
×
×
EVENTS THIS MONTH 1
Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 22.7 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon.
2
Full Moon, Supermoon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This is the first of two supermoons for 2018. The Moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.
3–4
Quadrantids Meteor Shower The Quadrantids is an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. It is thought to be produced by dust grains left behind by an extinct comet known as 2003 EH1. Unfortunately, the nearly full moon will block out all but the brightest meteors this year. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Bootes.
17
New Moon The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
31
Full Moon, Supermoon, Blue Moon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated. Since this is the second full moon in the same month, it is sometimes referred to as a blue moon. This is also the last of two supermoons for 2018.
FEBRUARY MON
5
TUE
6
WED
7
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
1
2
3
4
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
×
18:08—19:33
18:09—20:48
18:11—22:00
8
9
10
11
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
18:13—23:11
18:14—00:20
18:16—02:56
18:17—03:59
18:19—05:09
18:21—06:04
18:22—06:07
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
18:24—06:05
18:26—06:04
18:27—06:04
18:29—06:00
18:31—05:58
18:32—05:57
17:34—05:55
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
20:10—05:53
21:25—05:52
22:42—05:51
01:19—05:50
02:34—05:49
03:43—05:46
04:05—05:45
26
27
28
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
05:33—05:44
×
×
EVENTS THIS MONTH 15
New Moon The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
MARCH MON
5
TUE
6
WED
7
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
1
2
3
4
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
×
×
18:56—19:44
18:58—20:55
8
9
10
11
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
19:00—22:05
19:01—23:13
19:03—00:18
19:05—02:50
19:06—03:57
19:08—04:49
19:10—05:11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
19:12—05:08
19:13—05:06
19:15—05:04
19:17—05:01
19:19—04:59
17:20—04:56
19:22—04:54
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
19:24—04:52
20:23—04:49
21:40—04:52
22:55—04:59
00:08—05:01
03:32—05:07
04:27—05:12
26
27
28
29
30
31
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
05:11—05:15
×
×
×
×
×
EVENTS THIS MONTH 2
Full Moon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated.
15
Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 18.4 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon.
17
New Moon The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
31
Full Moon, Blue Moon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This year is particularly unique in that January and March both contain two full moons while February has no full moon.
APRIL MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN 1
dark sky
×
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
20:50—21:59
20:52—23:06
20:54—00:09
20:56—01:09
20:58—02:03
21:00—04:52
21:02—05:02
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
21:04—04:59
21:06—04:57
21:08—04:54
21:10—04:51
21:12—04:49
21:14—04:46
21:16—04:44
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
21:18—04:41
21:20—04:39
21:22—04:28
22:51—04:27
×
00:58—04:26
03:07—04:25
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
03:46—04:26
04:18—04:25
×
×
×
×
×
30
dark sky
×
EVENTS THIS MONTH 17
New Moon The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
22–23
Lyrids Meteor Shower The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. The shower runs annually from April 16-25. These meteors can sometimes produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. They will radiate from the constellation Lyra.
29
Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 27 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon.
30
Full Moon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated.
MAY MON
7
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
1
2
3
4
5
6
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
×
21:53—22:59
21:55—23:56
21:58—00:48
22:00—01:34
22:02—02:12
8
9
10
11
12
13
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
22:05—03:48
22:07—03:46
22:09—03:44
22:12—03:41
22:14—03:39
22:16—03:36
22:19—03:34
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
22:21—03:32
22:23—03:30
22:26—03:27
22:28—03:26
22:48—03:24
23:42—03:21
00:24—03:20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
02:19—03:19
02:49—03:19
×
×
×
×
×
28
29
30
31
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
×
×
×
×
EVENTS THIS MONTH 6–7
Eta Aquarids The Eta Aquarids is an above average shower, capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak.bIn the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet Halley, which has known and observed since ancient times. The shower runs annually from April 19 to May 28. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius.
9
Jupiter at Opposition The giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons.
15
New Moon The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
29
Full Moon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated.
JUNE MON
4
TUE
5
WED
6
THU
7
FRI
SAT
SUN
1
2
3
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
23:01—23:31
23:03—00:11
23:04—00:47
8
9
10
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
23:06—01:17
23:08—01:43
23:10—01:49
23:11—02:48
23:13—02:46
23:14—02:46
23:16—02:45
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
23:17—02:44
23:18—02:43
23:19—02:43
23:20—02:42
23:21—02:42
23:22—02:40
22:58—02:39
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
23:30—02:39
00:06—02:38
01:41—02:38
02:02—02:37
02:29—02:37
×
×
25
26
27
28
29
30
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
×
×
×
×
×
×
EVENTS THIS MONTH 13
New Moon The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
21
June Solstice The North Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its northernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 23.44 degrees north latitude.
27
Saturn at Opposition The ringed planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons.
28
Full Moon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated.
JULY MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN 1
dark sky
×
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
23:20—23:47
23:20—00:10
23:18—00:32
23:17—02:03
23:16—02:24
23:15—02:48
23:13—03:00
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
23:12—03:02
23:11—03:04
23:09—03:06
23:07—03:08
23:10—03:10
23:04—03:12
23:02—03:14
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
23:00—03:16
22:58—03:17
22:58—03:16
00:32—03:17
00:58—03:16
01:24—03:15
01:55—03:17
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
02:30—03:17
03:10—03:17
×
×
×
×
×
30
31
dark sky
dark sky
×
×
EVENTS THIS MONTH 12
Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 26.4 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon.
13
New Moon The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
27
Full Moon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated.
27
Total Lunar Eclipse A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes completely through the Earth’s dark shadow, or umbra. During this type of eclipse, the Moon will gradually get darker and then take on a rusty or blood red color.
27
Mars at Opposition The red planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long.
28–29
Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower The Delta Aquarids is an average shower that can produce up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by comets Marsden and Kracht. The nearly full moon will be a problem this year, blocking out all but the brightest meteors. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius.
AUGUST MON
6
TUE
7
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
1
2
3
4
5
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
22:26—22:57
22:23—23:18
22:21—23:41
22:18—01:25
22:16—01:56
8
9
10
11
12
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
22:13—02:32
22:11—03:19
22:09—04:08
22:06—04:10
22:04—04:12
22:01—04:14
21:59—04:16
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
21:56—04:19
21:53—04:21
21:51—04:23
21:48—04:25
22:05—04:27
21:43—04:29
00:28—04:27
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
01:07—04:27
01:51—04:26
02:41—04:25
03:36—04:25
×
×
×
27
28
29
30
31
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
×
×
×
21:12—21:44
21:10—22:07
EVENTS THIS MONTH 11
New Moon The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
11
Partial Solat Eclipse A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon covers only a part of the Sun. A partial solar eclipse can only be safely observed with a special solar filter or by looking at the Sun’s reflection.
12–13
Perseids Meteor Shower The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus.
17
Venus at Greatest Eastern Elongation The planet Venus reaches greatest eastern elongation of 45.9 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Venus since it will be at its highest point above the horizon.
26
Full Moon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated.
26
Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 18.3 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon.
SEPTEMBER MON
3
TUE
4
WED
5
THU
6
FRI
7
SAT
SUN
1
2
dark sky
dark sky
21:07—22:34
21:05—23:07
8
9
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
21:02—01:10
20:59—02:04
20:57—03:09
20:54—04:23
20:52—05:02
20:49—05:11
20:47—05:13
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
20:44—05:15
20:41—05:17
20:39—05:18
20:36—05:20
20:34—05:22
20:56—05:24
21:24—05:25
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
20:26—05:30
00:33—05:27
01:27—05:25
02:25—05:24
03:27—05:26
04:32—05:26
×
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
×
×
×
×
19:59—20:35
19:57—21:04
19:55—21:43
EVENTS THIS MONTH 7
Neptune at Opposition The blue giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Neptune. Due to its extreme distance from Earth, it will only appear as a tiny blue dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.
9
New Moon The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
23
September Equinox The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world.
25
Full Moon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated.
OCTOBER MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
19:52—22:32
19:50—00:52
19:48—02:03
19:45—03:20
19:43—04:41
19:41—05:59
19:39—06:01
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
19:36—06:03
19:34—06:04
19:32—06:06
19:30—06:07
19:28—06:09
19:26—06:11
20:00—06:12
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
20:46—06:14
21:38—06:16
00:15—06:17
01:16—06:18
02:20—06:18
03:25—06:20
04:32—06:21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
05:40—06:22
×
×
×
×
×
×
29
30
31
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
17:57—19:21
17:55—20:16
17:51—22:39
EVENTS THIS MONTH 8
Draconids Meteor Shower The Draconids is a minor meteor shower producing only about 10 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner, which was first discovered in 1900. The shower runs annually from October 6-10. This will be an excellent year to observe the Draconids because there will be no moonlight to spoil the show. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Draco.
9
New Moon The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
21–22
Orionids Meteor Shower The Orionids is an average shower producing up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Halley, which has been known and observed since ancient times. The shower runs annually from October 2 to November 7. The nearly full moon will block some of the fainter meteors this year, but the Orionids tend to be fairly bright. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion.
23
Uranus at Opposition The blue-green planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view Uranus. Due to its distance, it will only appear as a tiny blue-green dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.
25
Full Moon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated.
NOVEMBER MON
5
TUE
6
WED
7
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
1
2
3
4
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
17:50—01:18
17:48—02:40
17:47—04:00
17:45—05:17
8
9
10
11
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
17:44—05:48
17:42—05:49
17:41—05:51
17:39—05:52
17:38—05:54
17:37—05:55
17:40—05:57
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
18:30—05:58
19:26—06:00
20:36—06:01
21:38—06:03
00:13—06:04
01:19—06:05
02:26—06:07
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
03:35—06:08
04:47—06:09
06:01—06:12
×
×
×
×
26
27
28
29
30
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
17:20—19:04
17:20—20:18
17:19—20:37
17:19—22:57
17:18—01:39
EVENTS THIS MONTH 5–6
Taurids Meteor Shower The Taurids is a long-running minor meteor shower producing only about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is unusual in that it consists of two separate streams. The first is produced by dust grains left behind by Asteroid 2004 TG10. The second stream is produced by debris left behind by Comet 2P Encke.The thin crescent moon will set early in the evening leaving dark skies for viewing. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Taurus.
6
Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 23.3 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon.
9
New Moon The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
17-18
Leonids Meteor Shower The Leonids is an average shower, producing up to 15 meteors per hour at its peak. This shower is unique in that it has a cyclonic peak about every 33 years where hundreds of meteors per hour can be seen. That last of these occurred in 2001. The Leonids is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tempel-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1865. The waxing moon will set shortly after midnight leaving fairly dark skies. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Leo.
23
Full Moon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated.
DECEMBER MON
3
TUE
4
WED
5
THU
6
FRI
7
SAT
SUN
1
2
dark sky
dark sky
17:18—02:59
17:17—04:15
8
9
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
17:17—05:31
17:16—06:28
17:16—06:29
17:16—06:30
17:16—06:31
17:15—06:32
17:15—06:33
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
17:17—06:34
18:16—06:35
19:28—06:36
20:31—06:36
21:46—06:37
00:12—06:38
01:21—06:39
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
02:31—06:40
03:44—06:41
04:59—06:43
06:14—06:44
×
×
×
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
dark sky
×
×
17:20—20:36
17:21—21:57
17:22—23:18
17:22—01:57
17:23—03:13
31
dark sky
17:24—04:27
EVENTS THIS MONTH 7
New Moon The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
13–14
Geminids Meteor Shower The Geminids is the king of the meteor showers. It is considered by many to be the best shower in the heavens, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which was discovered in 1982. The first quarter moon will set shortly after midnight leaving dark skies. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Gemini.
15
Mercury at Greates Western Elongation The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 21.3 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon.
21
December Solstice The South Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its southernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude.
21–22
Ursids Meteor Shower The Ursids is a minor meteor shower producing about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tuttle, which was first discovered in 1790. This year the glare from the full moon will hide all but the brightest meteors. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Ursa Minor.
22
Full Moon The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated.