August 1996 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

August 1996 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.1
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 6.6"
Status: near greatest western elongation

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 11h17m45s
Declination: +03°29'52"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.5
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 25.0"
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: 06h28m56s
Declination: +19°43'52"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.5
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 4.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 06h58m40s
Declination: +23°23'48"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.6
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 44.7"
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: 18h36m42s
Declination: -23°19'25"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.6
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 19.0"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 00h28m55s
Declination: +00°23'00"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.7
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 3.7"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 20h16m47s
Declination: -20°21'09"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.7
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: 19h50m10s
Declination: -20°32'17"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 11497.7"
Status: Moon illumination 0.5%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 0.5%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 10h03m33s
Declination: +08°28'19"