February 1978 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

18 sky events total, including 3 moon phases and 2 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

February 1978 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.8
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 4.9"
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: 21h19m01s
Declination: -17°48'31"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 9.8"
Status: near greatest western elongation

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: 22h16m48s
Declination: -12°13'35"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.8
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 12.8"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 07h45m52s
Declination: +25°25'50"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.5
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 43.0"
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: 05h43m05s
Declination: +23°15'56"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.1
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 20.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 09h59m54s
Declination: +13°52'55"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.5
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 3.8"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 14h56m11s
Declination: -16°21'40"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.9
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: 17h08m23s
Declination: -21°27'51"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 11615.8"
Status: Moon illumination 50.9%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 50.9%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 03h41m46s
Declination: +15°34'21"