ISO 2026-W50
Week begins: Monday, December 7, 2026
Calendar
| Date | Zodiac day | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Dec 7, 2026 | ♐ 16 | Mothallah (α Tri) —  3 3.4 — Northern AutumnSheratan (β Ari) — 3 2.6 — Tropical Autumn |
| Tue, Dec 8, 2026 | ♐ 17 | C28 / NGC 752 —  6 5.7 — Northern Autumnα Hyi — 3 2.9 — Southern AutumnFinest NGC 14 / NGC 772 · Arp 78 — 11 10.6 — Tropical Autumn |
| Wed, Dec 9, 2026 | ♐ 18 | 🌑 New Moon — 00:51:51 UTC Alrescha (α Psc) —  4 3.8 — Tropical AutumnAlmach (Gam-1) — 2 2.1 — Northern Autumn |
| Thu, Dec 10, 2026 | ♐ 19 | Hamal (α Ari) — 2 2.0 — Northern Autumnβ Tri — 3 3.0 — Northern Autumn |
| Fri, Dec 11, 2026 | ♐ 20 | |
| Sat, Dec 12, 2026 | ♐ 21 | |
| Sun, Dec 13, 2026 | ♐ 22 | Mira (ο Ceti) (variable brightness) — Tropical Autumn C14 / NGC 869/884 · Double Cluster — 4 4.3 — Northern AutumnFinest NGC 17 / NGC 884 · Double Cluster with 869 — 4 4.4 — Northern AutumnFinest NGC 12 / NGC 891 · Silver Needle / C23 / NGC 891 — 11 10.9 — Northern Autumn |
Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris
Snapshot: Week begins December 7, 2026, 00:00 UTC.
(-90° to +90°; defaults +45°, 21:00 LAT)
| Body | ☉︎ | ☽︎ | ☿︎ | ♀︎ | ♂︎ | ♃︎ | ♄︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecliptic | ♐︎ 14°53′ β −0°00′ | ♏︎ 22°20′ β −5°02′ | ♐︎ 0°58′ β +0°50′ | ♏︎ 1°46′ β +2°09′ | ♍︎ 4°03′ β +2°29′ | ♌︎ 26°58′ β +0°50′ | ♈︎ 7°57′ β −2°34′ |
| Observing |  | -6.2 | ☉︎ | -4.8 | 0.4 | -2.2 | 0.6 |
| Rise | 07:32 | 05:57 | 06:21 | 03:44 | 22:39 | 22:05 | 13:33 |
| Set | 16:28 | 14:43 | 15:43 | 14:30 | 12:28 | 12:02 | 01:45 |
Extended targets:
| Body | ⚳︎ | ♅︎ | ♆︎ | ♇︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecliptic | ♋︎ 23°11′ β +5°09′ | ♊︎ 3°13′ β −0°09′ | ♈︎ 1°37′ β −1°24′ | ♒︎ 3°41′ β −4°15′ |
| Observing | 7.5 | 5.6 | 7.7 | 14.6 |
| Rise | 18:45 | 15:39 | 13:14 | 11:13 |
| Set | 10:54 | 06:42 | 01:14 | 19:55 |
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 2026-10-22 04:12:12 UTC
ISO 2026-W50 runs from December 7 through December 13. Mercury is about 1.6° in ecliptic longitude from Dschubba in Scorpius. To find Jupiter, first identify Leo, trace the Sickle, and locate Regulus in that pattern. Jupiter lies about 2.9° away in ecliptic longitude at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot; use the finder to transfer from Regulus to the planet.
Naked eye: 🌑 New Moon — 00:51:51 UTC. The dark Moon favors faint targets and extended star fields. Use Mothallah, Sheratan, Head of Hydrus, Almach, Hamal, β Tri as the week’s fixed-sky framework.
Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -6.2; direct motion; 4.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Dec 09 00:51 UTC. Conjunction with Mercury in ecliptic longitude Dec 07 19:28 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Dec 12 23:53 UTC. Mercury: In solar glare; magnitude -0.7; direct motion; 91.5% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Dec 07 19:28 UTC. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -4.8; direct motion; 32.6% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude 0.4; direct motion; 90.2% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 7.5; retrograde motion; 98.6% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -2.2; direct motion; 99.2% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Station Dec 13 00:56 UTC: turns retrograde. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 0.6; retrograde motion; 99.8% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Station Dec 10 23:31 UTC: turns direct. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.6; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.7; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Station Dec 12 22:18 UTC: turns direct. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.6; 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 Dec 12 23:53 UTC.
Binoculars: Trace Pisces’s charted figure in the finder, then identify Alrescha at its charted position.
Small telescope: NGC 752: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Arp 78: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Double Cluster with 869: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Silver Needle: 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: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 06:21; sets 15:43 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -0.7. The disk is 91.5% illuminated (gibbous). It is 13.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 1.515° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Acrab, 2.6° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Dec 07 19:28 UTC. Mercury: 2.6° from Acrab 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 54.9° below the horizon. Rises 03:44; sets 14:30 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -4.8. The disk is 32.6% illuminated (crescent). It is 43.2° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.691° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Spica, 8.6° away. Venus: 8.6° from Spica in the Pathfinder.
Moon
Moon: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 62.7° below the horizon. Rises 05:57; sets 14:43 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -6.2. The disk is 4.0% illuminated (waning crescent). It is 23.1° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 12.214° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Zubenelgenubi, 8.7° away. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Dec 09 00:51 UTC. Conjunction with Mercury in ecliptic longitude Dec 07 19:28 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Dec 12 23:53 UTC. Moon: 8.7° from Zubenelgenubi 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 16.0° below the horizon. Rises 22:39; sets 12:28 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.4. The disk is 90.2% illuminated (gibbous). It is 100.8° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.333° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Regulus, 4.3° away. Mars: 4.3° from Regulus 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 10.9° below the horizon. Rises 22:05; sets 12:02 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -2.2. The disk is 99.2% illuminated (nearly full). It is 107.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.020° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Regulus, 3.3° away. Station Dec 13 00:56 UTC: turns retrograde. Jupiter: 3.3° from Regulus 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 42.2° above the horizon. Rises 13:33; sets 01:45 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.6. The disk is 99.8% illuminated (nearly full). It is 113.0° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.007° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Diphda, 18.9° away. Station Dec 10 23:31 UTC: turns direct. Saturn: 18.9° from Diphda 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 53.7° above the horizon. Rises 15:39; sets 06:42 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.6. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 168.3° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.041° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 8.7° away. Uranus: 8.7° from Aldebaran 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 38.5° above the horizon. Rises 13:14; sets 01:14 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.7. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 106.7° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.003° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 16.4° away. Station Dec 12 22:18 UTC: turns direct. Neptune: 16.4° 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 20.2° above the horizon. Rises 18:45; sets 10:54 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.5. The disk is 98.6% illuminated (gibbous). It is 141.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.103° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Pollux, 1.6° away. Ceres: 1.6° from Pollux 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 10.8° below the horizon. Rises 11:13; sets 19:55 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.6. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 48.9° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.023° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 8.9° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Dec 12 23:53 UTC. Pluto: 8.9° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.
Highlights
Mercury
In solar glare; magnitude -0.7; direct motion; 91.5% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Dec 07 19:28 UTC. Mercury: 2.6° from Acrab in the Pathfinder.
Venus
Naked eye; magnitude -4.8; direct motion; 32.6% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: 8.6° from Spica in the Pathfinder.
Moon
Naked eye; magnitude -6.2; direct motion; 4.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Dec 09 00:51 UTC. Conjunction with Mercury in ecliptic longitude Dec 07 19:28 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Dec 12 23:53 UTC. Moon: 8.7° from Zubenelgenubi in the Pathfinder.
Mars
Naked eye; magnitude 0.4; direct motion; 90.2% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: 4.3° from Regulus in the Pathfinder.
Jupiter
Naked eye; magnitude -2.2; direct motion; 99.2% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Station Dec 13 00:56 UTC: turns retrograde. Jupiter: 3.3° from Regulus in the Pathfinder.
Saturn
Naked eye; magnitude 0.6; retrograde motion; 99.8% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Station Dec 10 23:31 UTC: turns direct. Saturn: 18.9° from Diphda in the Pathfinder.
Uranus
Binoculars; magnitude 5.6; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Uranus: 8.7° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.
Neptune
Telescope; magnitude 7.7; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Station Dec 12 22:18 UTC: turns direct. Neptune: 16.4° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Ceres
Telescope; magnitude 7.5; retrograde motion; 98.6% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: 1.6° from Pollux in the Pathfinder.
Pluto
Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.6; 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 Dec 12 23:53 UTC. Pluto: 8.9° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.