Sun, Moon, and Stars: December 2001
Updated August 5, 2020 |
Infoplease Staff
![Updated by an Infoplease Editor on August 5, 2020](/themes/ip/images/info-circle.png)
Movement of the heavenly bodies: December 2001
December Calendar
Moon Phase | Day | Phenomenon | Hour (UT) |
Hour (EST) |
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1 | Saturn is 0 degrees 5 minutes south of the Moon. The planet is occulted, or hidden from view, by the Moon. | 0200 | 9 pm (Nov. 30) |
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3 | Jupiter is 1 degree 6 minutes south of the Moon. | 1100 | 6 am |
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3 | Saturn is at opposition, that is, Saturn and the Sun are aligned on opposite sides of the Earth. | 1400 | 9 am |
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4 | Mercury is in superior conjunction, that is, Mercury and Earth are aligned on opposite sides of the Sun. | 2200 | 5 pm |
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6 | The Moon is at its perigee, or closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit. | 2300 | 6 pm |
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7 | Pluto is in conjunction with the Sun, that is, Pluto and Earth are aligned on opposite sides of the Sun. | 0400 | 11 pm (Dec. 6) |
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7 | LAST QUARTER | 2000 | 3 pm |
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14 | NEW MOON Eclipse |
2100 | 4 pm |
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17 | Saturn is 4 degrees north of Aldebaran, the brightest star in the constellation Taurus. | 1700 | 12 pm (noon) |
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18 | Neptune is 4 degrees north of the Moon. | 0700 | 2 am |
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19 | Uranus is 4 degrees north of the Moon. | 1200 | 7 am |
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20 | Mars is 4 degrees north of the Moon. | 2000 | 3 pm |
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21 | The Moon is at its apogee, or farthest point from Earth in its monthly orbit. | 1300 | 8 am |
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21 | Solstice | 1900 | 2 pm |
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22 | FIRST QUARTER | 2100 | 4 pm |
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25 | The asteroid Juno appears to be motionless in the sky as its apparent direct motion changes to backward, or retrograde, motion. | 2100 | 4 pm |
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28 | Saturn is 0 degrees 2 minutes south of the Moon. The planet is occulted, or hidden from view, by the Moon. | 0800 | 3 am |
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30 | FULL MOON Penumbral Eclipse |
1100 | 6 am |
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30 | Jupiter is 1 degree 2 minutes south of the Moon. The planet is occulted, or hidden from view, by the Moon. | 1400 | 9 am |
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