April 1996 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

April 1996 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.7
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 6.3"
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: 02h37m59s
Declination: +17°23'52"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.6
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 27.8"
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: 04h32m15s
Declination: +26°00'46"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.1
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 3.9"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 01h01m55s
Declination: +05°51'20"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 39.5"
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: 19h13m54s
Declination: -22°14'48"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.1
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 15.9"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 00h06m35s
Declination: -01°31'30"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.8
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 3.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 20h27m17s
Declination: -19°43'11"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: nan
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: 19h58m41s
Declination: -20°08'38"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 12441.0"
Status: Moon illumination 10.3%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 10.3%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 23h12m07s
Declination: -02°20'42"