August 1978 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

25 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

August 1978 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 4.2
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 11.1"
Status: near superior conjunction

Observation tip: Binoculars are recommended; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 09h56m46s
Declination: +07°23'56"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.3
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 20.9"
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: 12h25m31s
Declination: -03°33'50"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.6
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 4.4"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 12h24m58s
Declination: -02°17'07"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.9
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 32.3"
Status: near eastern 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: 07h50m45s
Declination: +21°12'36"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 16.2"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 10h19m33s
Declination: +11°58'29"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.6
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 3.8"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 14h40m58s
Declination: -15°15'57"

Neptune

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

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

Right ascension: 16h58m05s
Declination: -21°12'38"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 12802.4"
Status: Moon illumination 83.3%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 83.3%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 18h15m19s
Declination: -18°13'58"