January 1979 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

22 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 1979 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.5
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 5.0"
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: 18h38m51s
Declination: -23°50'30"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.6
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 25.8"
Status: near greatest eastern 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: 16h25m01s
Declination: -17°54'01"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.1
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 3.9"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 19h50m51s
Declination: -22°01'05"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.6
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 45.8"
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: 08h31m21s
Declination: +19°32'47"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.6
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 19.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 11h02m16s
Declination: +08°14'12"

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: 15h11m40s
Declination: -17°29'16"

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: 17h13m58s
Declination: -21°37'44"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 11451.7"
Status: Moon illumination 97.4%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 97.4%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 08h57m10s
Declination: +14°06'50"