The sky on Wednesday, 16 December 2026
On Wednesday, 16 December 2026 the Moon is a First Quarter, 44% lit, in Pisces (tropical) and Kumbha rashi (sidereal). The Sun is in Sagittarius.
Panchang at sunrise (India)
| Tithi | Shukla Saptami until 16 Dec, 10:51 pm IST |
| Paksha | Shukla (waxing) |
| Nakshatra | Shatabhisha, pada 3 (lord Rahu) until 16 Dec, 2:06 pm IST |
| Moon rashi | Kumbha |
| Sun rashi | Vrishchika |
Lahiri ayanamsa. Times are exact astronomical crossings in IST. Printed panchangs reckon tithi and nakshatra from local sunrise, so expect differences of a few minutes, and of a day near a boundary.
The Moon tonight
Half lit and high at dusk. Plans made at the new moon meet their first resistance. Push a little.
The Moon in Pisces blurs the edges. Music, water, sleep: anything that doesn’t need a plan.
Next full Moon: 24 Dec, 7:04 am IST. Next new Moon: 8 Jan, 1:53 am IST.
Where the planets are
| Planet | Sign (tropical) | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Sagittarius 15° | lost in the Sun’s glare |
| Venus | Scorpio 9° | morning sky, east |
| Mars | Virgo 6° | morning sky, east |
| Jupiter | Leo 27° ℞ retrograde | morning sky, east |
| Saturn | Aries 8° | evening sky, west |
Retrograde today: Jupiter. All retrograde dates.
Geminids meteor shower: peaked 2 day(s) ago, up to 150 meteors an hour from Gemini. All meteor showers.
Questions
- What is the moon phase on 16 Dec 2026?
- First Quarter, 44% illuminated, with the Moon in Pisces (tropical) / Kumbha (sidereal).
- What is the tithi on 16 Dec 2026?
- Shukla Saptami at sunrise in India, until 16 Dec, 10:51 pm IST.
- Which nakshatra is the Moon in on 16 Dec 2026?
- Shatabhisha (pada 3), ruled by Rahu, until 16 Dec, 2:06 pm IST.
- Is Mercury retrograde on 16 Dec 2026?
- No. Mercury is moving direct in Sagittarius.
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