January 1978 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

23 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 3 planetary events.

Daily Sky Events

All times are in local time (Asia/Shanghai)

Group Date Sunrise/Sunset Moonrise/Moonset Moon Phase Sky Events

Planetary outlook

January 1978 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 6.2"
Status: near inferior conjunction

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 18h05m44s
Declination: -22°22'42"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 9.8"
Status: near inferior conjunction

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Venus is the brightest planet and is best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 19h38m48s
Declination: -22°19'00"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.3
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 14.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 08h31m22s
Declination: +23°20'26"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.7
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 46.5"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its moons are easy to spot and it is excellent for telescope observing

Right ascension: 05h51m59s
Declination: +23°13'42"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.3
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 19.8"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Saturn’s rings require a telescope to see clearly

Right ascension: 10h08m30s
Declination: +13°01'29"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.6
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 3.7"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Binoculars are recommended; Binoculars or a telescope are recommended

Right ascension: 14h53m55s
Declination: -16°12'15"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 8.0
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 2.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: A telescope is required; A telescope is required; Neptune appears blue-green

Right ascension: 17h05m00s
Declination: -21°24'28"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 12020.9"
Status: Moon illumination 38.8%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 38.8%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 00h42m09s
Declination: +04°18'46"