ISO 2025-W01
Week begins: Monday, December 30, 2024
Calendar
| Date | Zodiac day | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Dec 30, 2024 | ♑ 10 | 🌑 New Moon — 22:26:48 UTC |
| Tue, Dec 31, 2024 | ♑ 11 | β Ret —  4 3.8 — Southern Winter |
| Wed, Jan 1, 2025 | ♑ 12 | C5 / IC 342 —  9 9.2 — Arctic WinterM45 — 2 1.6 — Northern Winter |
| Thu, Jan 2, 2025 | ♑ 13 | |
| Fri, Jan 3, 2025 | ♑ 14 | |
| Sat, Jan 4, 2025 | ♑ 15 | |
| Sun, Jan 5, 2025 | ♑ 16 | Finest NGC 19 / NGC 1491 · Sh 2-206 — — Northern Winter |
Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris
Snapshot: Week begins December 30, 2024, 00:00 UTC.
(-90° to +90°; defaults +45°, 21:00 LAT)
| Body | ☉︎ | ☽︎ | ☿︎ | ♀︎ | ♂︎ | ♃︎ | ♄︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecliptic | ♑︎ 8°46′ β −0°00′ | ♐︎ 27°30′ β −4°59′ | ♐︎ 17°21′ β +1°24′ | ♒︎ 25°33′ β −1°32′ | ♌︎ 2°33′ β +3°50′ | ♊︎ 13°26′ β −0°36′ | ♓︎ 14°23′ β −1°59′ |
| Observing |  | ☉︎ |  -0.3 | -4.4 | -1.2 | -2.8 | 1.0 |
| Rise | 07:36 | 07:17 | 05:56 | 10:12 | 17:58 | 14:32 | 10:57 |
| Set | 16:24 | 15:04 | 14:59 | 20:19 | 09:31 | 05:48 | 21:58 |
Extended targets:
| Body | ⚳︎ | ♅︎ | ♆︎ | ♇︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecliptic | ♒︎ 8°16′ β −7°01′ | ♉︎ 23°41′ β −0°15′ | ♓︎ 27°16′ β −1°17′ | ♒︎ 1°00′ β −3°16′ |
| Observing | 9.3 | 5.7 | 7.8 | 14.5 |
| Rise | 10:00 | 13:26 | 11:20 | 09:16 |
| Set | 18:25 | 04:08 | 23:08 | 18:00 |
β = ecliptic latitude (+ north, − south).
Rise and set are Local Apparent Time for the selected latitude.
Naked-eye observing uses the Sun’s altitude at the selected Monday observer time: Daylight (Sun ≥ −0.833°), Civil twilight (−0.833° to −6°), Nautical twilight (−6° to −12°), Astronomical twilight (−12° to −18°), and Night (below −18°).
Solar Glare identifies a body too close to the Sun when the sky-state rule does not already supersede its naked-eye classification.
The Sun’s observing status uses this same five-state sky classification.
Planet Finder
Sky Notes
Kilroy: Sky Notes · generated 2026-10-23 02:24:28 UTC
ISO 2025-W01 runs from December 30 through January 5. Jupiter is about 3.6° in ecliptic longitude from Aldebaran in Taurus.
Naked eye: 🌑 New Moon — 22:26:48 UTC. The dark Moon favors faint targets and extended star fields. No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified for naked-eye observing this week.
Planets: Moon: In solar glare; magnitude -5.2; direct motion; 1.2% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Dec 30 22:26 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Jan 03 16:20 UTC. Conjunction with Ceres in ecliptic longitude Jan 02 03:30 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Jan 04 16:56 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude Jan 05 14:30 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Jan 01 12:44 UTC. Mercury: Naked eye; magnitude -0.3; direct motion; 74.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -4.4; direct motion; 56.4% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 03 16:20 UTC. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude -1.2; retrograde motion; 98.4% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 9.3; direct motion; 99.3% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 02 03:30 UTC. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -2.8; retrograde motion; 99.8% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 1.0; direct motion; 99.8% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 04 16:56 UTC. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.7; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 05 14:30 UTC. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.5; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 01 12:44 UTC.
Binoculars: Trace Reticulum’s diamond-shaped figure in the finder, then identify β Ret at its charted position.
Small telescope: IC 342: this diffuse galaxy is challenging; seek a very dark, transparent sky and use a telescope; Pleiades: binoculars or a low-power wide field show the cluster together; Sh 2-206: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance
Substantial telescope: No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified as requiring a substantial telescope this week.
Other objects listed this week: None
Mercury
Mercury: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 60.4° below the horizon. Rises 05:56; sets 14:59 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -0.3. The disk is 74.0% illuminated (gibbous). It is 21.5° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 1.228° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Sabik, 5.9° away. Mercury: 5.9° from Sabik in the Pathfinder.
Venus
Venus: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 7.6° below the horizon. Rises 10:12; sets 20:19 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -4.4. The disk is 56.4% illuminated (gibbous). It is 46.8° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 1.083° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Sadalsuud, 10.3° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 03 16:20 UTC. Venus: 10.3° from Sadalsuud in the Pathfinder.
Moon
Moon: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 07:17; sets 15:04 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -5.2. The disk is 1.2% illuminated (waning crescent). It is 12.3° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 12.944° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Shaula, 9.2° away. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Dec 30 22:26 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Jan 03 16:20 UTC. Conjunction with Ceres in ecliptic longitude Jan 02 03:30 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Jan 04 16:56 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude Jan 05 14:30 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Jan 01 12:44 UTC. Moon: 9.2° from Shaula in the Pathfinder.
Mars
Mars: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 29.3° above the horizon. Rises 17:58; sets 09:31 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -1.2. The disk is 98.4% illuminated (gibbous). It is 155.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.307° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Pollux, 9.4° away. Mars: 9.4° from Pollux in the Pathfinder.
Jupiter
Jupiter: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 62.7° above the horizon. Rises 14:32; sets 05:48 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -2.8. The disk is 99.8% illuminated (nearly full). It is 154.7° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.111° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 5.9° away. Jupiter: 5.9° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.
Saturn
Saturn: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 9.3° above the horizon. Rises 10:57; sets 21:58 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.0. The disk is 99.8% illuminated (nearly full). It is 65.6° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.073° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 11.9° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 04 16:56 UTC. Saturn: 11.9° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Uranus
Uranus: binoculars at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 63.2° above the horizon. Rises 13:26; sets 04:08 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.7. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 134.9° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.026° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Menkar, 15.2° away. Uranus: 15.2° from Menkar in the Pathfinder.
Neptune
Neptune: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 21.1° above the horizon. Rises 11:20; sets 23:08 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.8. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 78.5° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.013° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 13.3° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 05 14:30 UTC. Neptune: 13.3° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Ceres
Ceres: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 25.5° below the horizon. Rises 10:00; sets 18:25 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 9.3. The disk is 99.3% illuminated (nearly full). It is 30.2° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.376° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 12.2° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 02 03:30 UTC. Ceres: 12.2° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.
Pluto
Pluto: substantial telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 30.4° below the horizon. Rises 09:16; sets 18:00 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.5. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 22.5° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.030° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 8.6° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 01 12:44 UTC. Pluto: 8.6° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.
Highlights
Mercury
Naked eye; magnitude -0.3; direct motion; 74.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mercury: 5.9° from Sabik in the Pathfinder.
Venus
Naked eye; magnitude -4.4; direct motion; 56.4% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 03 16:20 UTC. Venus: 10.3° from Sadalsuud in the Pathfinder.
Moon
In solar glare; magnitude -5.2; direct motion; 1.2% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Dec 30 22:26 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Jan 03 16:20 UTC. Conjunction with Ceres in ecliptic longitude Jan 02 03:30 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Jan 04 16:56 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude Jan 05 14:30 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Jan 01 12:44 UTC. Moon: 9.2° from Shaula in the Pathfinder.
Mars
Naked eye; magnitude -1.2; retrograde motion; 98.4% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: 9.4° from Pollux in the Pathfinder.
Jupiter
Naked eye; magnitude -2.8; retrograde motion; 99.8% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter: 5.9° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.
Saturn
Naked eye; magnitude 1.0; direct motion; 99.8% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 04 16:56 UTC. Saturn: 11.9° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Uranus
Binoculars; magnitude 5.7; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Uranus: 15.2° from Menkar in the Pathfinder.
Neptune
Telescope; magnitude 7.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 05 14:30 UTC. Neptune: 13.3° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Ceres
Telescope; magnitude 9.3; direct motion; 99.3% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 02 03:30 UTC. Ceres: 12.2° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.
Pluto
Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.5; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jan 01 12:44 UTC. Pluto: 8.6° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.