ISO 2026-W51
Week begins: Monday, December 14, 2026
Calendar
| Date | Zodiac day | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Dec 14, 2026 | ♐ 23 | |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | ♐ 24 | Finest NGC 16 / NGC 936 · MCG 0-7-17 —  11 11.2 — Tropical Autumn |
| Wed, Dec 16, 2026 | ♐ 25 | Polaris (α UMi) / Polaris (α Ursae Minoris) —  Var 2 2.0 1.9–2.1 — Arctic Autumn |
| Thu, Dec 17, 2026 | ♐ 26 | 🌓 First Quarter — 05:42:40 UTC Finest NGC 18 / NGC 1023 · Arp 135 — 10 9.6 — Northern Autumn |
| Fri, Dec 18, 2026 | ♐ 27 | M34 — 6 5.5 — Northern AutumnM77 — 9 8.9 — Tropical Autumn |
| Sat, Dec 19, 2026 | ♐ 28 | C67 / NGC 1097 — 9 9.2 — Southern Autumnβ For —  4 4.5 — Southern Autumn |
| Sun, Dec 20, 2026 | ♐ 29 |
Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris
Snapshot: Week begins December 14, 2026, 00:00 UTC.
(-90° to +90°; defaults +45°, 21:00 LAT)
| Body | ☉︎ | ☽︎ | ☿︎ | ♀︎ | ♂︎ | ♃︎ | ♄︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecliptic | ♐︎ 22°00′ β +0°00′ | ♒︎ 15°44′ β −0°35′ | ♐︎ 11°41′ β −0°00′ | ♏︎ 7°02′ β +2°45′ | ♍︎ 6°13′ β +2°41′ | ♌︎ 27°01′ β +0°51′ | ♈︎ 7°56′ β −2°32′ |
| Observing |  | -8.4 | ☉︎ | -4.8 | 0.2 | -2.3 | 0.7 |
| Rise | 07:36 | 10:55 | 06:48 | 03:40 | 22:19 | 21:34 | 13:02 |
| Set | 16:24 | 20:42 | 15:43 | 14:15 | 12:03 | 11:32 | 01:14 |
Extended targets:
| Body | ⚳︎ | ♅︎ | ♆︎ | ♇︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecliptic | ♋︎ 22°18′ β +5°45′ | ♊︎ 2°56′ β −0°09′ | ♈︎ 1°37′ β −1°23′ | ♒︎ 3°51′ β −4°15′ |
| Observing | 7.3 | 5.6 | 7.7 | 14.6 |
| Rise | 18:07 | 15:07 | 12:43 | 10:43 |
| Set | 10:24 | 06:10 | 00:43 | 19:25 |
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 2026-10-12 12:46:23 UTC
ISO 2026-W51 runs from December 14 through December 20. Mercury is about 1.9° in ecliptic longitude from Antares in Scorpius. To find Jupiter, first identify Leo, trace the Sickle, and locate Regulus in that pattern. Jupiter lies about 2.8° away in ecliptic longitude at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot; use the finder to transfer from Regulus to the planet.
Naked eye: 🌓 First Quarter — 05:42:40 UTC. Moderate moonlight makes timing and local sky position important for faint targets. Use Polaris as the week’s fixed-sky framework.
Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -8.4; direct motion; 20.5% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Dec 18 05:20 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude Dec 17 17:35 UTC. Mercury: In solar glare; magnitude -0.7; direct motion; 96.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -4.8; direct motion; 37.7% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude 0.2; direct motion; 90.7% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: Binoculars; magnitude 7.3; retrograde motion; 99.1% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -2.3; retrograde motion; 99.3% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 0.7; direct motion; 99.7% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Dec 18 05:20 UTC. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.6; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.7; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Dec 17 17:35 UTC. 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.
Binoculars: Trace the charted figure of For, then identify β For at its plotted position.
Small telescope: MCG 0-7-17: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Arp 135: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M34: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M77: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 1097: 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 06:48; sets 15:43 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -0.7. The disk is 96.0% illuminated (gibbous). It is 10.3° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 1.542° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Antares, 4.8° away. Mercury: 4.8° from Antares 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 56.1° below the horizon. Rises 03:40; sets 14:15 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -4.8. The disk is 37.7% illuminated (crescent). It is 45.0° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.808° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Zubenelgenubi, 8.8° away. Venus: 8.8° from Zubenelgenubi 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 3.6° below the horizon. Rises 10:55; sets 20:42 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -8.4. The disk is 20.5% illuminated (waxing crescent). It is 53.7° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 11.889° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Sadalsuud, 12.2° away. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Dec 18 05:20 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude Dec 17 17:35 UTC. Moon: 12.2° from Sadalsuud 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 13.2° below the horizon. Rises 22:19; sets 12:03 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.2. The disk is 90.7% illuminated (gibbous). It is 105.8° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.282° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Regulus, 6.4° away. Mars: 6.4° 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 6.2° below the horizon. Rises 21:34; sets 11:32 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -2.3. The disk is 99.3% illuminated (nearly full). It is 115.0° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.003° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Regulus, 3.2° away. Jupiter: 3.2° 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 39.3° above the horizon. Rises 13:02; sets 01:14 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.7. The disk is 99.7% illuminated (nearly full). It is 105.9° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.005° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Diphda, 18.9° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Dec 18 05:20 UTC. 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 58.2° above the horizon. Rises 15:07; sets 06:10 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.6. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 160.9° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.039° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 9.0° away. Uranus: 9.0° 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 35.1° above the horizon. Rises 12:43; sets 00:43 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.7. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 99.6° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.001° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 16.4° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Dec 17 17:35 UTC. Neptune: 16.4° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Ceres
Ceres: binoculars at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 26.5° above the horizon. Rises 18:07; sets 10:24 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.3. The disk is 99.1% illuminated (nearly full). It is 149.2° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.149° 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 15.7° below the horizon. Rises 10:43; sets 19:25 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.6. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 42.0° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.025° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 8.9° away. Pluto: 8.9° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.
Highlights
Mercury
In solar glare; magnitude -0.7; direct motion; 96.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mercury: 4.8° from Antares in the Pathfinder.
Venus
Naked eye; magnitude -4.8; direct motion; 37.7% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: 8.8° from Zubenelgenubi in the Pathfinder.
Moon
Naked eye; magnitude -8.4; direct motion; 20.5% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Dec 18 05:20 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude Dec 17 17:35 UTC. Moon: 12.2° from Sadalsuud in the Pathfinder.
Mars
Naked eye; magnitude 0.2; direct motion; 90.7% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: 6.4° from Regulus in the Pathfinder.
Jupiter
Naked eye; magnitude -2.3; retrograde motion; 99.3% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter: 3.2° from Regulus in the Pathfinder.
Saturn
Naked eye; magnitude 0.7; direct motion; 99.7% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Dec 18 05:20 UTC. Saturn: 18.9° from Diphda in the Pathfinder.
Uranus
Binoculars; magnitude 5.6; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Uranus: 9.0° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.
Neptune
Telescope; magnitude 7.7; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Dec 17 17:35 UTC. Neptune: 16.4° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Ceres
Binoculars; magnitude 7.3; retrograde motion; 99.1% 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. Pluto: 8.9° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.