January 1987 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

21 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

January 1987 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.4
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 4.7"
Status: near greatest western elongation

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

Right ascension: 19h52m31s
Declination: -23°00'11"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 25.1"
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°59'27"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.7
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 6.4"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 00h16m55s
Declination: +01°38'17"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.2
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 36.2"
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: 23h24m46s
Declination: -05°04'00"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 15.4"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h03m37s
Declination: -21°18'56"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.7
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 3.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h35m34s
Declination: -23°26'23"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 2.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 18h26m50s
Declination: -22°17'18"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 11478.7"
Status: Moon illumination 99.8%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 99.8%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 07h43m37s
Declination: +26°19'29"