August 1988 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

August 1988 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.9
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 5.1"
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: 10h26m22s
Declination: +11°17'24"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.5
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 25.7"
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: 06h29m06s
Declination: +19°36'25"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.9
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 19.4"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 00h46m38s
Declination: -00°28'03"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.3
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 38.7"
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: 04h06m52s
Declination: +19°55'36"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.3
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 17.6"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h43m12s
Declination: -22°22'07"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 17h47m55s
Declination: -23°37'49"

Neptune

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

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

Right ascension: 18h33m26s
Declination: -22°14'29"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 11452.7"
Status: Moon illumination 5.4%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 5.4%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 11h19m47s
Declination: +03°48'35"