April 1988 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

22 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

April 1988 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.5
Constellation: Aries
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: 01h12m30s
Declination: +06°13'01"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.5
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 26.9"
Status: near superior conjunction

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: 04h33m05s
Declination: +25°55'34"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 7.4"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 20h32m26s
Declination: -20°04'12"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.0
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 33.2"
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: 02h25m20s
Declination: +13°25'06"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.3
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 17.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 18h10m58s
Declination: -22°16'02"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.6
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 3.7"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 18h04m22s
Declination: -23°38'05"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.8
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 2.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 18h44m01s
Declination: -22°04'23"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 12745.3"
Status: Moon illumination 3.1%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 3.1%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 00h16m36s
Declination: +02°59'46"