May 1978 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

19 sky events total, including 4 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

May 1978 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.3
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 7.3"
Status: near inferior conjunction

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 01h49m45s
Declination: +07°55'32"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 11.6"
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: 05h22m28s
Declination: +24°22'35"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.0
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 6.3"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 09h09m44s
Declination: +18°10'15"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.9
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 33.4"
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: 06h24m39s
Declination: +23°22'36"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 18.1"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 09h47m15s
Declination: +14°56'21"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.4
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 4.0"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 14h46m34s
Declination: -15°39'05"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.9
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 2.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h06m34s
Declination: -21°22'19"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 11616.3"
Status: Moon illumination 47.0%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 47.0%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 09h26m02s
Declination: +11°18'54"